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Take a look at some of the Enterprise Advisers already in our network to discover the sectors and businesses they are from, as well as the reasons why they have volunteered for the role…

Interested in volunteering to become an Enterprise Adviser? Please click here to register your interest.

David Adams

David Adams

AtkinsRéalis

Transportation Director

As a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) I have pledged to develop my own professional knowledge, skills and competence on a continuing basis and also give all reasonable assistance to further the education, training and continuing professional development of others.

At AtkinsRéalis, we’re passionate about engineering a better future for our planet and its people and the best place to start is to inspire the next generation of all the great work we do, through our Governors for Schools and STEM initiatives.  Being an Enterprise Advisor supports all of this, working in local schools, in my hometown.

I trained, developed, and worked in the Tees Valley the majority of my career and I want to encourage early careers to do the same.  It’s great to see that young people no longer have to move away to get good jobs and, as an Enterprise Advisor I want to support schools and their pupils to get to know about all the great career opportunities in our region.

Helen Anderson

Helen Anderson

Thermal Insulation Contractors Association

Head of Learning

As someone who has worked in the Further Education sector for the majority of my career, I understand the importance of young people receiving good support when it comes to thinking about their futures. Working for both a Northeast Employer and a National Trade Association has given me lots of exposure to the types of knowledge, skills and behaviours Employers are looking for in terms of the workforce of the future. I am keen to support with how schools are equipping young people in starting to think about their career options both inside and outside the region. I grew up in the North East and I’m keen to give something back to the region where I received my school education.

Martin Platt

Martin Platt

My name is Martin Platt and I’m Co-Founder at Ambasat. I’ve worked in the computer industry for most of my life, as well as building several educational and outsourced software businesses. I’m originally from Stockton-on-Tees and want to give something back to the region by becoming an Enterprise Advisor and helping to support our students in their goals and ambitions.

Sarah Monk

Sarah Monk

My name is Sarah Monk and I’ve recently exited the business I co-founded, grew and ultimately sold. I’m looking forward to working as an Enterprise Adviser in the Tees Valley.

I’ve spent my career working in the public and private sectors and am keen to utilise my skills and experience to support young people and their schools in identifying opportunities to support careers education. I’m particularly passionate abound encouraging entrepreneurship in young people as well as connecting the worlds of education and business to ensure opportunities for the future workforce are maximised in the region.

Mark Grange

Mark Grange

Unisys Corp/Evolve HR Management Ltd

Project Manager/HR Consultant

I was approached via the CIPD regarding joining the Enterprise Advisor network within the Tees Valley.

Being born and bred in the Tees Valley, it is disheartening to see that so many young people find it hard to visualise how their future career aspirations can be met within our region.

In my role as a Project Manager, I get to work with some of the largest organisations across many different industries, both globally and at home in the UK, however, it is through my side role as a HR Consultant that I get to see the challenges faced by local SME’s, operating within our region, particularly when selecting and retaining talent.  It is very encouraging to see so many select apprentice schemes that will develop and grow their future workforce.

Through this role I hope I can use my own career experiences alongside my local and national contacts, to ensure that the investment boom that is coming to our region is reflected in genuine career opportunities for our local young people.

Anthony Dodd

Anthony Dodd

Equans

Social Value Officer

I work within the construction industry, my current role is a Social Value Officer. In addition, I am a current serving member of HM Armed Forces and in my spare time I work for the local authority as a Residential Care Support Officer in a children’s home.

Victoria Richards

Victoria Richards

Jacobs

Head of Profession for Project Management

Victoria Richards has over 20 years’ experience in the nuclear industry. With a First Honours M.Eng in Chemical Engineering, and as a Fellow of the IChemE, Victoria has progressed her career in Project Management, and is now Head of Profession for Project Management at Jacobs, based in Stockton on Tees. Victoria has responsibility for project management skills, competencies, processes and development of around 1000 project management staff.

Helen Whitton

Helen Whitton

EE

Operations Manager

I have volunteered to become an Enterprise Advisor as I believe that it is our responsibility to support young people by educating them about career opportunities, ensuring that we spend time supporting them to develop the skills that employers require.  This initiative has given me the chance to work with pupils in local schools, invite pupils into a work environment and ensure that those responsible for driving careers in schools are supported.    The role also gives me the opportunity to network with other likeminded professionals who also share this passion and want to take some ownership in making the local areas successful.  All of these activities will hopefully ensure that the next generation understand all of the opportunities available to them and can reach their full potential.

Eve Wilson

Eve Wilson

Gleeds Energy

Associate Director

Having spent a lot of my career working on infrastructure and energy projects outside of the North East, I have a real passion for developing aspirations for lifelong careers in the region I grew up in. As an enterprise advisor I hope to develop the interests of the next generation in what the region has to offer, supporting young people to reach their maximum potential.

My current role in renewables and clean energy has brought me back to the region I’m so proud of and it couldn’t be a more exciting time, I look forward to watching the talented individuals we have in our region grow from strength to strength and carving out a career in an innovative and prosperous environment.

Charlotte Collings

Charlotte Collings

EE

Team Leader

I wanted to become an enterprise advisor to support young people within the community, to give them the understanding of skills used within employment and have interactive sessions for them to gain the knowledge moving forward to then implement in future years.

Beverley Bearne

Beverley Bearne

Hartlepool Borough Council

Assistant Director of Development & Growth

I am Assistant Director of Development & Growth at Hartlepool Borough Council and have the wonderful job of delivering a great range of exciting regeneration projects in the town. I volunteered to become an Enterprise Advisor so that I can make sure local schools and pupils get to know about all the great career opportunities on their doorstep on how they can get involved in making their home town an even better place. Hopefully it will encourage the wonderful talent that we have to stay and help us shape the future their town.

Briony Davies

Briony Davies

EE

Operational Coordinator

“I’m an Enterprise Advisor because I’m passionate about helping young people move into the working world and progress their careers. I hope to be able to connect with our local school students, make them aware of the available opportunities and support them in gaining working skills.”

Michael Wicks

Michael Wicks

Unity Trust Bank

I bring over 27 years’ experience in business banking having previously undertaken customer facing or leadership roles at Barclaycard and Barclays Corporate before joining Unity Trust Bank in January 2019. Unity are a socially determined bank. When a business or organisation banks with Unity, we use these deposits to fund business lending which supports the communities that we collectively serve. I have a trusted network of finance professionals including valuers, accountants, solicitors and commercial brokers all of which helps me deliver the right solutions for my customers. I am delighted to volunteer as an Enterprise Adviser with schools and colleges, supporting the strategic development of careers of the young people in Tees Valley. I look forward to developing a supportive learning relationship with students where I can share my passion, knowledge, experience and wisdom.

Vikkie Wilkinson

Vikkie Wilkinson

Humankind Charity

Having worked in the VCSE (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise) sector for many years, it is always clear to me that young people do not see working for a charity or social enterprise as a career choice.   

The sector contributes significantly to the Tees Valley economy and having a skilled workforce is essential both now and for the future.  The sector requires skills in the same areas as the public and private sector including finance, marketing and human resources.  In addition, there are more specialist roles such as fundraising and bid writing.   

The role of an Enterprise Advisor provides an opportunity to share and discuss this often overlooked sector with both the young people and those responsible for supporting and developing them.   

Toby Joel

Toby Joel

Jacksons Law Firm

Partner

One of my roles at Jacksons has been the student work experience programme.  This work has meant I have visited lots of schools and colleges and met with some outstanding students and teachers.  It made sense for me to take on the role as an Enterprise Advisor so that I can share my knowledge of the legal sector and business with schools and colleges. I have enjoyed every minute of my Enterprise Advisor role. 

Katie Woods-Ruddick

Katie Woods-Ruddick

PX Ltd

HR Director

Having a skilled workforce of the future is essential for the industry that I work in and also for the UK economy.   The role of an Enterprise Advisor supports this process, ensuring that the skills required by the industry are discussed and shared with those responsible for supporting and developing young people.  The role also provides a link and a dialogue between schools and colleges to ensure that opportunities such as mentors, work experience and a range of job roles are shared and discussed.  It also provides access to up to date skills requirements for the future jobs markets and helps young people make informed choices about their future based on a range of information, including valuable input from employers. 

Having a pipeline of talent coming into a business can be essential to growth and therefore helping shape the future of learning bring benefits to all.

Mike Lowe

Mike Lowe

Coach Hub Plus

Performance Coach

Emily Warman

Emily Warman

Endeavour Partnership

Lawyer

My name is Emily Warman, I am an Employment Solicitor with The Endeavour Partnership LLP, I joined the Enterprise Advisor Network to promote careers within schools and provide my own experience of entering the job market, I have been lucky enough to work with my old secondary school and it has been great to give back and assist them.

Stephen Hunt

Stephen Hunt

Aecom

Project Director

“I wanted to become an Enterprise Adviser as living in the Tees Valley with my family I felt it was a worthwhile initiative and a way of supporting our community.  Having worked with Our Lady & St Bede Secondary School in Stockton since 2018 I have found it to be a really rewarding experience and one which I thinks benefits both parties.  It was great to work with and see their School Team win the Tees Valley Combined Authority 2021 ‘Big Project’ competition, the children’s grasp of the technical and commercial content in support of their submission was so impressive – I would recommend the Local Enterprise role to anybody.”

Peter Keay

Peter Keay

Tracerco

External Training Manager

“I started out in Engineering over thirty years ago on a traditional multi-skilled apprenticeship, before working as a shift Electrical Engineer with British Steel, covering Casters and Steel plant. Now, I’m External Training Manager for Tracerco. During my time, various people have helped

“I started out in Engineering over thirty years ago on a traditional multi-skilled apprenticeship, before working as a shift Electrical Engineer with British Steel, covering Casters and Steel plant. Now, I’m External Training Manager for Tracerco. During my time, various people have helped and encouraged my development, or provided me with opportunities.  For me, the role of Enterprise Adviser is a way of repaying all those people and engineers for the help and guidance they’ve given me.”

and encouraged my development, or provided me with opportunities.  For me, the role of Enterprise Adviser is a way of repaying all those people and engineers for the help and guidance they’ve given me.”

Michael Colclough

Michael Colclough

SAFC Foundation

Head of Community Education

Jessica Maine

Jessica Maine

Endeavour Partnership

Solicitor

I am a Solicitor at the Endeavour Partnership LLP specialising in Employment Law and Data Protection. I joined the Enterprise Advisor network as it’s a great opportunity to get involved with lots of career events at schools across the Tees Valley. The network has also been a brilliant way of meeting other professionals who share my passion in supporting young people in the area!”