Meet the team

Catherine Storer

Managing Director

One of the founding members of Essential Site Skills in 2013, Catherine's role as Managing Director is to direct and control the Company’s operations and to give strategic guidance and direction to the Board to ensure that the Company achieves its mission and objectives.

“Accidents are the biggest threat to workers and families within the UK, leaving devastation that is irreparable, that’s why I believe we can make a difference. It’s not always about ticking a box, it’s about ensuring each individual is aware of their duties, qualified in their job role and that every decision they make is well informed. Too many people are killed and seriously injured in accidents that could have been prevented. I am sincerely proud of each and every member of the ESS team and pleased to be a part of such a wonderful group of like minded individuals, as we all share the same vision – to lead the way into accident prevention through quality training and assessment.”

https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-s-4029b328/

Gareth Davies

Business Development Director

One of the founding members of Essential Site Skills in 2013, Gareth's role as Business Development Director is to ensure recruitment and retention of the sales and training team, with well-motivated, trained and developed staff to ensure that it achieves its mission and objectives.

“Communication from a training provider to the employer and employee needs to be clear and reliable. My experience working in construction has helped guide me to develop our business model. Our business strategy has foundations that support and ensure smooth delivery of training. Our aim is to make your life as easy possible, so your business can not only keep everyone on site safe but to assist with business growth and sustainability, exceeding the quality expectations you have set out to achieve.”

Stuart Goodman

Operations Director

One of the founding members of Essential Site Skills in 2013, Stuart's role as Operations Director is to ensure strategic and business objectives as well as the values of Essential Site Skills are put into practice. The Operations Director is in charge of the safety, health environment, and quality assurance side of the business, to supervise and coordinate work systems to ensure that the products or services of the company are favourable and safe.

“Having personally delivered training and assessment for the last 25 years in the construction industry, I have observed the fascinating change in peoples outlook in their personal safety. People are the most important resource we have in this room so don’t feel process or product is worth the gamble. Let’s “manage the process to avoid failure” so we can develop competency to enable everyone to go home safely.”

Darren O’Neill

Training & Consultancy Director

The Training and Consultancy Director is responsible for effectively managing projects, providing solutions design, and implementing and generating project results for the business. The role involves identifying, creating and delivering innovate service strategies and tools to generate revenue opportunities related to new and existing clients.

One of the main functions includes leading and coordinating team efforts to increase company profitability in the southern region. To collaborate in project planning and execution, as well as collecting feedback after project deployment and feeding this information back to the Senior Management Team.

Nick Yoxall

Learning & Development Director

The Learning and Development Director is responsible for the strategic direction and implementation of our training plan, managing all existing training programmes and introducing new programmes that will directly underpin the organisation's strategic direction for the next stage of our growth journey.

Working alongside the board to meet the training needs, shape curriculum solutions, and collaborate in the design of detailed training modules to meet overall programme goals and optimising performance across all functions including sales, customer service, procurement and marketing.

David Straw

Head of Finance

David is responsible for the Finance function, ensuring that the team manages its financial matters in a professional and timely manner for both its external and internal customers and stakeholders.

David is fully qualified through AAT and has an MBA in Business Administration. David has a wealth of experience in both the public and private sector and in businesses in the training and employability arenas and has a passion for skills development.

David has a supportive and inclusive management style and communicates well within the business, with customers and with business partners. The skills and experience David brings to the business are key to providing strong financial leadership and support to the Senior Management.

Konny Papadopoulou

Project Manager

Konny is responsible for the NVQ team, ensuring all qualifications are delivered to meet meticulous quality standards. She has strong personal and leadership skills, which encourages team excellence and optimum performance, providing a supportive experience to clients, learners and our assessment team.

She implements, maintains and updates all Quality Assurance processes within the NVQ Centre in line with Awarding Body Standards, and to support the Company’s Internal Quality Assurance Strategy.

Recently completing her L3 Award in Education and Training has provided an understanding of training and assessment methods used out in the field with further insight into the learner’s journey. By continually developing herself, this encourages her team to lead by her example.

Konny has a friendly and supportive approach with outstanding communication and management skills, which embeds into her work and team strategy. With a strong eye for detail and extremely high standards, the Senior Management know that they have the backing of a strong team leader.

Emily Rycroft

Commercial Training Manager

Emily is responsible for the Commercial Training Team, ensuring all training and development processes are in line with the Company’s quality standards. Her strong personal and leadership skills encourage team excellence and optimum performance.

Emily has recently completed her L3 Award in Education and Training to provide a further understanding of the training delivery. By reinforcing learning within her own team and encouraging them to continually develop she has built a strong and quality driven team.

Emily has a friendly and supportive approach with outstanding communication and management skills, which embeds into her work and team strategy. With a strong eye for detail and extremely high standards, the Senior Management know that they have the backing of a strong team leader.

Michael Harcourt

Training & Consultancy Manager

Michael is responsible for managing varied Training and Consultancy outputs to ensure our clients receive the very best possible training and learning experience. Assisting in the development of market leading training courses and materials who also routinely contributes to the progression of our more junior trainers across varying aspects of H&S training; Michael plays a key part in upholding our quality driven training standards.

A multi-skilled and experienced trainer himself, he delivers a vast array of technical safety courses, both non-accredited and accredited, with clarity, passion and a wealth of knowledge whilst accounting for the learners every need. He thrives on watching learners surpass and exceed their desired goals. His attention to detail and meticulous preparation before, during and post training is testament to his professionalism and conduct and one of the many reasons why his training acumen is sought after and requested across the breadth of the UK.

A conversant H&S industry contributor, you will often find Michael educating and speaking in support of UK wide events in Respiratory Protection and Management making a real difference and improving cultures surrounding Health and Safety.

Matt Fletcher

Training & Consultancy Instructor

Matthew is one of our passionate and dedicated Health and Safety trainers supporting our clients across the breadth of the UK within the Construction Industry. A multi-skilled and qualified trainer, he ensures all courses, both non-accredited and accredited, are delivered in accordance with the standards and procedures required to deliver an informative, enjoyable and quality driven training session.

Matts ability to unlock and exceed the potential of those he teaches is second to none. He possesses an in-depth library of experience he can relate to when working with learners across a diverse and varied spectrum. His calm, detailed and active learning style to teaching enables his audience to receive the very best training experience catering for almost any learner need.

Travelling and delivering courses to a variety of trades and organisations daily, Matt will scrutinise, assist and feedback vital data enabling us to keep abreast of the evolving needs of the industry, and the learner, to ensure we are adapting and meeting our client’s wishes.

Mike Kirkham-Ingram

Training & Consultancy Instructor

Mike is one of our passionate and dedicated Health and Safety Trainers and Consultants, supporting our clients across the South Region of the UK. A passionate and qualified trainer, he ensures all courses, both non-accredited and accredited, are delivered in accordance with the standards and procedures required to deliver an informative, enjoyable and quality driven training session.

Mike can draw upon years of experience from previous careers within the Health and Safety sector, including the waste and environmental industry to better guide our clients when advising on consultancy services or delivering the many training courses he is accredited for.

Travelling and delivering courses to a variety of trades and organisations daily, Mike will scrutinise, assist and feedback vital data enabling us to keep abreast of the evolving needs of the industry, and the learner, to ensure we are adapting and meeting our client’s wishes.

John Wright

Senior Training & Consultancy Manager

Within a Senior role John is qualified GradIOSH, PIEMA, assisting with internal and external quality audits, course development and internal verification.

John delivers a wide range of Health & Safety, Construction and Workplace training such as NEBOSH, IOSH and CITB Site Safety Plus courses in accordance with Awarding Body requirements, striving for Essential Site Skills exceptional standard of delivery at all times. He has responsibility for the guidance and support of learners to achieve their learning goals.

Les Raine

Training & Consultancy Instructor

Highly experienced within the construction Health and Safety sector, Les is one of our passionate and knowledgeable Health and Safety Trainers supporting our clients across the UK. A highly qualified professional, Les delivers both accredited and non-accredited courses in accordance with the standards and procedures required to deliver an informative and quality driven training course.

Les’s main forte is delivering training to our clientele in courses such as NEBOSH, CITB and IOSH; considered as highly technical courses but very rewarding upon completion for those attending.

Travelling and delivering courses to a variety of trades and organisations daily, Les will scrutinise, assist and feedback vital data enabling us to keep abreast of the evolving needs of the industry, and the learner, to ensure we are adapting and meeting our client’s wishes.

Warren Mulford

Plant Training Instructor

Warren is our experienced and passionate plant training manager who is responsible for ensuring compliance and quality training is delivered across various aspects of CPCS/NPORS construction plant, RTITB logistics and transport.

A dedicated and professional trainer, Warren has the patience and expertise to coach any learner but with absolutely no comprise to the testing standards required by ourselves or our partnered Awarding bodies.

A multi-skilled trainer and tester himself, you will find him out on sites across the UK, teaching and testing a wide array of qualifications to the next generation of construction plant operators or reaffirming current competence from those already working in the sector.

Jamie Ringsell

Senior Business Development Manager

Jamie leads the national sales operations, supporting SMEs and blue chip companies with their training requirements and contract demands, building long term relationships between clients and ESS. Jamie is highly experienced in sales leadership with a proven track record of delivery for his clients, and a dedication to keeping their employees competent and safe.

Those that have had dealings with Jamie will have experienced his personable and professional approach, and his commitment has resulted in a loyal and trusting client base. A key part of Jamie’s role is to support the Senior Management Team in strategic decision making, using his clients’ requirements to assist ESS in not only keeping up with current market demands – but remaining at the forefront of the industry.

Jamie’s qualifications include IOSH Managing Safely and L3 Award in Education and Training, and he is consistently working towards other qualifications so his consultancy advice is well thought out, considered and up to date. His ethos is based on providing his clients with the learning & development platform to facilitate successful tenders and ultimately save lives.

Tom Marshall

Business Development Manager

Tom leads the UK Southern division, offering our high end accredited training services to clients and establishing excellent working relationships, developing growth opportunities for your organisation through the importance of qualified and competent employees.

Tom is enthusiastic in getting in front of employers to showcase what ESS is all about, frustrated by poor training and client’s struggling with day to day problems that can easily be solved. He wants the booking process to be simple for his clients, consistent and reliable, everything ESS stands for.

Tom has a number of construction related accreditations and is actively engaged in further professional development to compliment his experience in funding and commercial training to establish ESS products and services.

Ryan Cancellara

Business Development Manager

As Business Development Manager in the Adult Skills division, Ryan uses accredited courses to up-skill learners on benefits and low incomes in order to help them move into work or secure a higher paid role.

Having established excellent working relationships from his recruitment background, Ryan is passionate about the importance of qualified and competent employees, and is motivated by developing the skills of potential workforces. Utilising his past experience, Ryan supports learners through to interviews and potential job opportunities upon the completion of the adult skills courses.

Lauren Heath

Business Development Manager

Lauren leads our UK Northern division, offering our high end accredited training services to clients and establishing excellent working relationships. She is passionate about the importance of qualified and competent employees, and is motivated by developing the skills of her clients’ workforces.

With significant industry experience, Lauren has a proven track record of delivery for a wide range of organisations within the construction sector – and has built her reputation based on a customer-focused attitude towards her role, well aligned to the values of ESS.

Lauren has a number of construction related accreditations and is actively engaged in further professional development to compliment her experience in funding and commercial training to establish ESS products and services.

Jordan Price

Business Development Manager

Jordan has extensive experience in high level sales and key account management, something he has applied to the construction training industry with significant success in his career to date with ESS. Jordan is responsible for commercial training sales and delivering a number of our key funding contracts, with a focus on our Midlands client base.

Jordan’s involvement with various Skills Support for the Workforce funding contracts means he has a proven track record of not only delivering effective training solutions, but where possible ensuring the relevant funding streams are utilised in order to reduce costs – particularly for his SME clients. Jordan’s personal development is extremely important to him, and he strives to be at the forefront of the industry in terms of knowledge and client support.

Rob Kaye

Contracts & Funding Manager

Originally trained in finance and accountancy, Rob joins us from an SSW Prime Contractor within the Public Sector where he gained valuable experience in contract and supply chain management.

Rob supports all departments and reports directly to the Business Development Director on performance management and statistical data analysis, whilst sourcing business development activities in line with company priorities, which includes lead development and marketing strategies.

Alongside his outstanding organisational, managerial and communication skills, Rob has a real energy to promote the company’s values and shares the same high standards of support and improvement.

Emma Proctor

Compliance & Development Manager

Emma is responsible for ensuring ESS conducts its business in full compliance. One of Emma's key goals is to ensure the service ESS provides is always fit for purpose, consistent and meets both internal and external requirements.

ESS continuously improves the quality of the service we deliver with Emma reviewing, implementing and developing new and existing processes to ensure the programmes ESS deliver meet the needs of employers, learners and staff.

Amanda Volante

HR Manager

Experienced in all avenues of Human Resources, Welfare and Account Management, Amanda joins ESS from the transport industry. As HR Manager Amanda is responsible for all internal HR functions and compliance.

Utilising her experience and diplomas in HR and Management, Amanda works hard to support the ESS team, reporting to the Compliance & Development Manager to ensure compliance sits within the group standards.

Passionate and positive in her approach to work, Amanda diligently helps to support the team, promoting the company’s values and sharing in the same high standards of support and improvement.

Amy Milford

Programme Manager

Amy moved into the training industry over 5 years ago after a very successful career within retail, as she thoroughly enjoyed the training and development of her own staff.

Amy delivers apprenticeships and Diploma’s in Retail, Sales Professional, Management, Customer Service and Business Administration both at Level 2 and 3. Amy also delivers Functional Skills Level 1 and 2 in ICT, Maths and English, along with NCFE distance learning short courses in several different topics such as End of Life Care, Dementia, Autism, Health and Nutrition, Team Leading, Business Admin, Customer Service, Mental Health, Medication, Safeguarding, Dignity and Challenging Behaviour.

Amy has numerous qualifications; NVQ in Retail level 2, NVQ Management level 3, Functional Skills in Maths, English and ICT level 2, Assessor Vocational Achievement (AVA), Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS), NCFE Level 3 End of Life Care, along with care quality short courses in Equality and Diversity, Understanding Safe Handling of Medication, Cleaning, Decontamination and Waste Management, The Principles of Infection Prevention and Control and Dementia Awareness – Understanding Behaviours in Context of Dementia.

George Wilks

Programme Manager

Working for the learning and development department as the Programme manager, I am responsible for the design, development, delivery and quality for a diverse number of qualification delivery programmes including NVQ assessments, pre-employment strategic development and employability work programmes.

This is achieved through networking with partnerships and clients, building a professional customer rapport to meet the business needs including contract acquisition, strategic programme renewal proposals, quality assurance, customer service and retention planning and marketing.

Ami Dawe

Adult Skills Tutor

Ami has worked within the health and social care sector for 17 years and within education for 9 years, delivering a combination of apprenticeships, diplomas and workplace training.

Ami is passionate about delivering high quality training to help develop the skills and confidence of individuals.

Neil Hare

Adult Skills Tutor

Neil has worked within the care industry for over 20 years and has a passion for helping people to develop themselves through training.

He has experience of all aspects of care with a particular interest in Dementia and manual handling.

Nigel Anker

Assessor / Tutor

Nigel delivers a combination of NVQ Assessments and Health & Safety Training courses in accordance with Awarding Body requirements, following industry standards and guidelines, striving for Essential Site Skills exceptional standard of delivery at all times.

He is passionate about delivering high quality training to develop the skills of individuals and assist them in achieving their goals. Using his vast experience as a tutor and assessor to assist learners to gather the evidence they need to obtain qualifications.

Dave Newton

Assessor / Tutor

Dave is an experienced assessor and trainer in plant, lifting operations and site supervision levels 2 to 6, with experience in a wide range of sectors within construction, from the ground working up through management tiers.

After gaining the experience and understanding of lifting operations, and demonstrating the skills and attributes required, Dave later achieved Lift Supervisor, and Appointed Person qualifications.
He utilises experience, organisational skills, and his ability to interact with people, to help mentor and guide people through qualifications to meet the industry standards and requirements.

Dave prides himself on his goal to deliver the very best assessments and training, tailored to the abilities and needs of the candidates, helping them to achieve their ambitions.

Kris Witcombe

Enrolment Officer

Kris assists with client and learner management by ascertaining the employers training requirements through a Training Needs Analysis, carrying out profiling sessions with potential learners to establish the most suitable qualifications to enhance their skills. He will conduct enrolment sessions with learners to obtain all the relevant information to register them onto the relevant qualification.

Kris is working towards his IOSH Managing Safely and L3 Award in Education and Training which helps him provide a service to all clients and learners that meets the Company’s rigorous quality standards.

With a flexible and friendly approach to his team members, Kris provides a reliable and highly supportive role to a fundamental part of the NVQ team.

Liam Moore

Enrolment Officer

Liam assists with client and learner management by ascertaining the employers training requirements through a Training Needs Analysis, carrying out profiling sessions with potential learners to establish the most suitable qualifications to enhance their skills. He will conduct enrolment sessions with learners to obtain all the relevant information to register them onto the relevant qualification.

Liam is qualified as a minimum with IOSH Managing Safely and L3 Award in Education and Training which helps him provide a service to all clients and learners that meets the Company’s rigorous quality standards.

With a flexible and friendly approach to his team members, Liam provides a reliable and highly supportive role to a fundamental part of the NVQ team.

Louise Houlden

Marketing Executive

Louise is responsible for maintaining the centres marketing content and publications in accordance with the business marketing strategies and centre compliance.

Already qualified with BA Honours Degree in Television Marketing and Promotion, Creative Writing and Media, Louise works closely with the Senior Management Team on creative writing, website content, social media content, events and so many more exciting projects and campaigns for us, and our clients.

With real passion and flair, and an understanding the importance of branding Louise understands the online world where brands have to be savvy to be seen. Our brand is the way you perceive us and what makes us stand out from other training providers, so we aim to keep it consistent yet distinct.

Louise is continuing her professional development by currently working towards a Level 7 Advanced CIM Marketing Leadership qualification.

Dane Thurnham

Key Account Manager

Athena Wragg

Client Sales Coordinator

Athena plays a key role within the sales team, supporting SMEs and blue chip companies with their training needs. Athena’s knowledge and experience is well received by her clients, as is her passion and enthusiasm for helping them upskill their employees and keeping them safe.

Building long term relationships is of the utmost importance to Athena, and she strives to continuously deliver for her clients no matter what their requirements and contract demands. Athena is committed to her own personal development, and is consistently building her own knowledge of the industry in order to provide the best support possible to her clients. Athena also has the skillset to help companies benefit from funding and grant opportunities, resulting in a comprehensive service that leads to further work and successful tenders.

Laura Wagstaff

Client Sales Co-ordinator

Laura is a key part of the sales team, with an extensive client base across the construction sector. Laura is highly experienced within the construction industry, and her significant knowledge allows her to fully understand the needs of her clients as well as deliver the necessary training solutions.

Laura is passionate about her clients and committed to customer service. She is driven to develop her own knowledge and skillset in order to continuously increase the value she adds to her loyal client base.

Rachel Carpenter

Client Sales Co-ordinator

Rachel is highly experienced within the construction training industry, and has a proven track record of delivering an exceptional service to her clients. Upon joining ESS, Rachel has been tasked with further developing our commercial training business across the North.

Rachel is driven to provide a high quality of customer service alongside training solutions to support her client base maintain compliance and grow their businesses through upskilling the workforce. Although already highly experienced within the industry, Rachel is motivated to increase her existing knowledge. She is committed to continuing her own personal development in order to ensure her clients receive up to date and extensive industry advice.

Kieran Mather

Client Sales Coordinator

Luke Brailsford

Training Coordinator

Luke provides knowledgeable and supportive advice to clients, ensuring all elements have been covered for them to achieve the required level of competence.

He supports the delivery of NVQ qualifications to ensure all Assessor and Client needs are met to an exceptionally high standard, qualified with his Level 2 in Information Advice and Guidance. He is always friendly and supportive, organised with fantastic IT skills and willing to go that extra mile to ensure the client's needs are met.

Leigh-Anne Boon

Training Administrator

Leigh-Anne provides knowledgeable and supportive advice to clients, ensuring all elements have been covered for them to achieve the required level of competence.

She also supports the delivery of Health & Safety, Construction and Workplace safety training courses to ensure all trainer and client needs are met to an exceptionally high standard. She has a friendly and helpful approach with good communication skills. Leigh-Anne is currently working towards her level 3 in Business Administration.

Emma Green

Training Administrator

Emma provides knowledgeable and supportive advice to clients, ensuring all elements have been covered for them to achieve the required level of competence.

She also supports the delivery of Health & Safety, Construction and Workplace safety training courses to ensure all trainer and client needs are met to an exceptionally high standard. She has a friendly and helpful approach with good communication skills. Having recently completed her Level 2 in Business Administration, Emma is now working towards her Level 3.

Jordan Wheatley

NVQ Administrator

Jordan provides efficient and professional administrative support to managers and employees, assisting in daily office needs and managing the company's general administrative activities.

With the support of the Project Manager he provides knowledgeable and supportive advice to clients, ensuring all elements have been covered for them to achieve the required level of competence. Jordan is currently working towards his Level 2 in Business Administration.

Ellie-May Soar

Accounts Administrator

Ellie provides efficient and professional administrative support to managers and employees, assisting in daily office needs and managing the companies’ general administrative activities with the Finance Department.

With the support of the Finance Manager she provides knowledgeable and supportive advice, undertaking a wide range of financial reporting and administrative tasks. Ellie is currently working towards her Level 2 in Business Administration.

Jodie Bamforth

Business Admin Apprentice

Jodie provides efficient and professional administrative support to managers and employees, assisting in daily office needs and managing the company's general administrative activities.

With the support of the Project Manager she provides knowledgeable and supportive advice to clients, ensuring all elements have been covered for them to achieve the required level of competence. Jodie is currently working towards her Level 2 in Business Administration.

Nicole Sharpe

Business Admin Apprentice

Nicole provides efficient and professional administrative support to managers and employees, assisting in daily office needs and managing the company's general administrative activities.

With the support of the Project Manager she provides knowledgeable and supportive advice to clients, ensuring all elements have been covered for them to achieve the required level of competence. Nicole is currently working towards her Level 2 in Business Administration.