Her learner-centred approach and attention to detail have resulted in outstanding outcomes, including 100% End Point Assessment pass rates and multiple Apprentice of the Year nominations.

As Lead IQA, Louise plays a key role in shaping curriculum design, mentoring colleagues and ensuring consistency across provision. Louise is widely recognised for her empathy, professionalism and ability to inspire both learners and staff. She promotes inclusive, reflective practice and has introduced structured standardisation meetings, developed high-quality resources and introduced support frameworks that strengthen learner experience.

The impact of Louise’s work is far-reaching. Her leadership has raised quality standards across the early years team, improved learner confidence and retention and fostered a culture of excellence and compassion.

Starting his career as an engineering apprentice at British Aerospace, he now leads training for more than 500 technicians. Renowned for his hands-on, mentoring approach, Paul is recognised for how he connects with learners, guiding apprentices through challenges to build confidence and expertise. His award-winning Service & Maintenance Technician programme, recognised with a Princess Royal Training Award, showcases his excellence in curriculum design and delivery.

Passionate about inclusion, Paul supports individuals from all backgrounds, including those returning to work after injury and apprentices at risk of dropping out. Paul’s training has transformed careers and strengthened the business, turning former PE teachers, tyre fitters and newcomers with no technical background into confident, highly skilled technicians, supervisors and mentors. His programmes have created new talent pathways, supported over £600k in training delivery and inspired colleagues to pursue professional growth.

Since launching it in 2012, she has personally guided over 200 professionals, with the diploma, achieving a 99% completion rate and three Princess Royal Training Awards.

A Chartered Psychologist and leadership specialist, Hilary blends behavioural science with practical business strategy to develop confident, emotionally intelligent leaders. She manages every stage of the year-long programme, from selection to delivery, ensuring an experience that is academically rigorous and personally transformative.

The impact of Hilary’s work reaches across the industry. Many graduates are promoted within a year of completion and alumni now lead major UK hotels. Her creation of a thriving professional network has strengthened collaboration and talent pipelines across the hospitality sector.

Since joining the department in 2022, he has played a key role in revitalising in-person delivery post-Covid and restructuring the organisation’s apprenticeship offer.

Richard’s engaging, inclusive approach combines theory with hands-on learning, earning him respect from apprentices, dealers and colleagues. Known for his empathy and credibility, he inspires confidence in learners and motivates them to reach their full potential. Beyond the classroom, he mentors junior trainers, shares best practice and helps shape a positive, high-performing training culture.

The training, mentoring and coaching Richard provides have meant greater success at End Point Assessments and increased staff retention and dealer demand for apprentice places, which is now at a record level. Richard’s influence extends more widely across JCB’s learning network, where his commitment to quality and innovation continues to enhance technical education and nurture the next generation of agricultural engineers.

With industry experience and a passion for people development, Bee leads Level 7 delivery and designs innovative resources and workshops that inspire confidence and critical thinking. Her approach helps learners connect theory to real-world practice and excel in their professional roles. Bee’s inclusive style ensures every learner feels supported and empowered to grow. She mentors colleagues, contributes to curriculum development and leads initiatives that enhance engagement and wellbeing across the organisation.

The impact of Bee’s work is far-reaching. Her learners achieve Distinctions, progress into senior leadership roles and drive measurable business improvements. Her innovations – such as monthly drop-ins and personal development workshops – have also influenced team practice, shaping a more inclusive and high-performing learning culture at Total People.

Beginning in electronics and computing, he has since become a cornerstone of adult and digital education supporting learners to build confidence, gain qualifications and progress into further study or employment. Although no longer in a full-time teaching role, Richard remains a key figure at the City of Westminster College. His delivery is inclusive, designed to meet learners where they are and guide them towards independence through real-world examples and accessible teaching.

Learners leave equipped with vital digital and employability skills, while feedback consistently highlights new-found confidence and independence. Richard’s mentorship of colleagues has shaped a more reflective, collaborative teaching culture across the College raising learner outcomes, staff capability and community engagement.

At Spear, Ella led a team delivering intensive six-week coaching programmes for unemployed 16-24 year olds, followed by a year of mentoring and support. Her innovative partnerships, such as introducing on-site Maths and English lessons, have broken long-standing barriers to employment for trainees.

The impact of Ella’s leadership is remarkable. Her trainees improve their work readiness by an average of 76%, and over 70% sustain employment or education for at least a year after completing the programme. Her creativity and commitment have transformed lives and strengthened communities.

Beginning her career in frontline care, she has progressed to deliver qualifications up to Level 7, combining extensive sector knowledge with creative, learner-centred methods such as role-play, lived experience simulations and multicultural learning activities. Her approach consistently achieves exceptional results, including 100% pass and completion rates and 80% of learners achieving Distinctions.

Angela’s designed and leads a pioneering Care Bootcamp that supports long-term unemployed individuals with mental health challenges into meaningful work, achieving over 80% employment outcomes. Her training directly supports NHS recruitment, improves retention and addresses local skills priorities in a sector facing acute shortages. Widely respected as a mentor and innovator, Angela’s work is transforming lives and reshaping perceptions of careers in care.

With over 22 years of industry experience in Building Engineering Services and Gas before entering teaching, Stephen brings in-depth technical expertise and a forward-thinking approach to curriculum design.

At SERC, he has led the development of pioneering Level 5 qualifications in retrofit and green technology, alongside the creation of a carbon-zero training facility – the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. His commitment to inclusivity and innovation has transformed access to green education, with female enrolment rising from 10% to 40% and enrolments overall increasing by 960% since 2021.

Stephen’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. His programmes boast 95% achievement and 99% retention rates, generating an estimated £8.5 million in social value while helping reduce carbon emissions by over 39,000 kg annually, making a tangible contribution to environmental and economic sustainability.

With a background in the catering industry, he has created an engaging, industry-relevant curriculum that blends technical excellence with community purpose. Since 2016, his department has achieved outstanding outcomes, with 98% retention and 95% success rates, well above national averages.

Paul’s pioneering College Kitchen and food poverty initiatives link culinary training with real-world impact. Through partnerships with food banks and charities, students gain hands-on experience preparing meals for vulnerable communities while learning about sustainability and food waste reduction.

His approach has transformed both education and opportunity with growing diversity among learners and enrolments rising by 35%. Employers praise SERC graduates for their technical ability, social awareness and leadership which is testament to Paul’s belief that hospitality education should nourish both skills and society.

A qualified assessor and internal verifier, he has taught culinary arts from entry level to Level 3 and contributed to developing City & Guilds qualifications.

Jim is known for his engaging, empathetic and practical teaching style combining real-world kitchen experience with inclusive, strengths-based coaching. His learners achieve exceptional results with 95% completion and 60% distinction rates.

Jim’s committed approach to training has reduced chef turnover from over 100% to 65%, boosted learner satisfaction to 96% and inspired promotions for over a third of his apprentices. His inclusive approach, mentoring of learners with additional needs and award-winning apprenticeship programme continue to shape future culinary talent and strengthen hospitality careers.

Initially hired on a short-term contract, she quickly proved indispensable bringing strategic insight and a learner-first mindset that reshaped how the business approached training and coaching.

Julia has overhauled multiple programmes, including the New Client Team’s communication and induction training, improving confidence, consistency and conversion rates. She also designed bespoke leadership and graduate development programmes, using a blended learning model that combines in-person facilitation, digital modules and one-to-one coaching. Her inclusive approach ensures every learner feels valued and supported, adapting materials to meet diverse learning needs.

Julia’s work has increased training engagement, improved staff performance and built a culture of continuous learning, with teams reporting stronger collaboration and lasting behavioural change across the organisation.

Starting his career as an apprentice with Volvo Trucks and Buses, Anthony became one of Volvo’s first Master Technicians before joining JCB in 2010. His understanding of engines, transmissions and electrics combined with his passion for mentoring made him a natural fit for technical training and leadership.

Promoted to Lead Trainer in 2018, Anthony has shaped JCB’s technical training standards, mentoring new trainers and supporting apprentice engineers. He recently led the development of JCB’s Hydrogen Training Programme, creating a pioneering three-day course and 300-page manual that established global safety and competence standards.

Anthony’s impact is profound: he has trained over 3,000 engineers in 45+ countries, achieving 100% delivery success for new product launches and consistently receiving outstanding learner feedback.