Head of Operations - Capital 4 Training / Empentis / First 4 Apprenticeships - Newcastle upon Tyne
(2025-11)
Oversight of Traffic Management, Plant, LGV/HGV, Marketing, and Leadership provisions.
- Formulated and executed the group's overarching Quality Assurance (QA) and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) strategy, upskilling multi-disciplinary delivery teams.
- Designed and executed a comprehensive corporate Inclusion Strategy across three distinct group companies to foster equity and operational cohesion aligned with the EIF.
- Standardised corporate governance and educational quality models by authoring, reviewing, and embedding robust operational policies across multi-site provisions.
- Maintained ultimate accountability for senior customer and stakeholder complaints, using feedback loops to eliminate operational friction and improve employer relationships.
Head of Quality and Compliance - Train'd Up - Stirling, FK9 4RQ
(2023-04 - 2025-11)
Rail, Engineering, Business Administration & Project Control provision oversight.
- Led, implemented, and managed the national quality, compliance, safeguarding, and CEIAG strategy across all operational areas, working in direct alignment with the Managing Director.
- Directed and performance-managed a national team of safeguarding leads, IQAs, and compliance specialists, building a high-performing network of experts to deliver Engineering and Rail provision (Levels 2–4).
- Engaged with external organisations to monitor and implement developments in line with DfE funding requirements and awarding body updates.
- Oversaw and reviewed national subcontractor self-assessment processes and due diligence activities to protect organisational integrity.
- Spearheaded the strategic deployment and rollout of the APTEM platform to robustly support national quality assurance, data integrity standards and DfE compliance frameworks.
- Governed APTEM platform architecture design to guarantee 100% alignment with complex regulatory funding rules, data integrity standards, and DfE guidance.
- Directed cross-functional teams through the implementation of Aptem, establishing standardised workflows that successfully mitigated compliance and audit risks.
- Leveraged APTEM data analytics to build senior-level quality dashboards, providing the executive team with real-time visibility into provision performance.
- Managed the overall Learning Management System (LMS) functionality, optimizing digital tools to enhance learner engagement, track progress, and support virtual classrooms.
- Led a robust compliance and internal audit function separate from delivery, utilising PDSAT data and feedback loops to drive continuous improvement throughout delivery.
- Established independent QA functions that provided high-level oversight of standards, utilising PDSAT data and feedback to drive continuous improvement and innovation in curriculum delivery.
- Managed all DfE funding and audit requirements, successfully ensuring 100% compliance with strict regulatory standards.
- Quality controlled, monitored, and approved all corporate marketing materials and social media applications to protect brand and regulatory compliance.
- Authored and produced the Self-Assessment Report (SAR) and Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) in strict alignment with the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (EIF).
- Managed national continuous improvement activities, including observation of teaching and assessment practices for both online and face-to-face Engineering and Rail delivery.
- Collaborated with line managers to identify teaching and learning gaps within delivery teams, deploying targeted CPD and training to address those needs.
- Ensured high-quality learning materials were rigorously quality-checked across tutor-led, virtual classroom, e-learning, and self-directed assignments.
- Promoted continuous systems improvements and fostered an internal culture where best practices were shared across all regions.
- Cultivated strategic employer relationships and curriculum collaborations, embedding learner and partner feedback to significantly increase national employer satisfaction outcomes.
- Implemented an advanced online delivery programme that enhanced learner engagement and streamlined multi-channel communication delivery.
- Embedded learners fully into the quality cycle, ensuring their feedback directly drove the continuous improvement and effectiveness of teaching and assessment practices.
Quality Manager/Ofsted Lead - Babcock International - Bristol BS3 2HQ
(2021-07 - 2023-03)
Adult Health Care, IT, Hospitality, Rail, Team Leading, Operational Management, Retail provision oversight.
- Directed Ofsted readiness and inspection strategy across Automotive, Engineering, and Public Sector contracts; served as Deputy Nominee, ensuring precise communication and evidence-sequencing during live audits.
- Architected and led the annual quality cycle, implementing robust target-setting, SAR/QIP scrutiny, and cross-sector Quality Improvement Plans to drive high expectations in learner achievement.
- Partnered with executive leadership to translate curriculum intent into operational excellence, using "deep dives" and work scrutiny to ensure consistency across multiple national delivery models.
- Managed the Quality department's KPIs and commercial objectives, aligning year-to-date achievement rates against "Best Outcome" targets to support Babcock's national growth and sustainability.
- Pioneered innovative delivery strategies and digital engagement tools (including VLOGs and newsletters) to enhance the learner/employer journey and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
- Maintained uncompromising standards in line with Ofsted, ESFA, and Awarding Body requirements, providing high-level oversight of CEIAG and regulatory trends.
- Managed the quality department's KPIs and target-setting across diverse provisions, including Adult Healthcare, Procurement, Management, and Business Administration.
