Jill Ward - Director
Prior to joining the LLN in May 2007, Jill was Principal of Wedgwood Memorial College. Jill has always recognised the potential to make a very real difference to the opportunities available for vocational learners. Further Education Colleges are being encouraged to expand their HE provision, to focus on meeting the needs of employers and employees, involving them in the design and delivery of courses. Jill will ensure that the LLN is central to this in her role as Director.
Amelia Rout - Research Officer
Amelia is the Research Officer for the LLN and is based at Staffordshire University. Amelia is working on a number of projects which aim to provide information about learners on entry to courses as well as their ongoing experiences and achievements both locally and nationally. She is a graduate member of the British Psychological Society and holds a Keele University Higher Education Teacher Certificate (SEDA and ILT recognised), MSc Psychological Research Methods (Staffordshire), and a BSc Psychology and Philosophy (Keele). Amelia’s free time is taken up with Keele Bach Choir where she sings soprano and tending her fruit and veg garden.
Anne Longbottom - Health, Social Care and Cross Cutting Themes Co-ordinator
Anne began her working life in a bank in Birmingham and then joined a local further education college working in the health and social care programme area. Anne then joined the NHS to promote learning and development for non-registered health staff. More recently Anne has worked at Staffordshire University as a Project Manager developing the Department of Health’s Working in Partnership Programme (WiPP) health care assistant toolkit. Anne is now working with others developing new and exciting educational packages that meet the needs of employers and their employees. Anne is a leader in the Staffordshire Girl Guiding Association and enjoys walking her old English sheepdog.
Chris Drummond - Commercial & Resources Manager
Chris joined Staffordshire University following a successful career in Operations Management at Granada Television, joining the Business Development Unit in 1995 as Industrial Liaison Officer, before moving to the post of Finance and Support Services Manager. Chris left the Business School in 2003 and took up the post of Finance Co-ordinator with the successful HE Full Circle project, before moving to his current role with responsibility for all aspects of the financial management of the LLN. A new promotion started August 2009 with broader finance responsibilities across the Sales and Student Recruitment Team. Chris is a collector of classic cars and a lifelong supporter of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club.
David Round - Information, Advice and Guidance Co-ordinator
David is based at Keele University in his part time LLN role as IAG Co-ordinator. He also works for a national social justice organisation – the Network for Black Professionals – which supports leadership and management development for black staff working in the learning and skills, local government and voluntary and community sectors. An historian by background and educated at the University of Salford and the University of Sheffield, David has worked in higher and further education, in Adult Guidance and in IT in the private sector. David has taught on a range of programmes up to degree level including management, computing and IT, communications and trade union studies. He has occupied various management roles at the then Bilston Community College and at Solihull College, including Head of Department of various curriculum areas, IT and MIS Director, ILT Manager and Assistant Principal. David also has experience in the private sector as an ICT consultant for Research Machines PLC and in careers education for adults.
David has a passionate interest in the benefits of education for social justice. He previously worked as the Vocational Routes Co-ordinator for Aimhigher West Midlands based at the University of Wolverhampton. David firmly believes that widening participation in higher education and improving opportunities for employees who have not necessarily followed traditional educational pathways has an instrinsic value for the individual and is vitally important to the future prosperity of UK plc. David is a season ticket holder at Wolves F.C. and is a keen follower of cricket, rugby union and most sports. He regularly completes half-marathons and enjoys badminton.
Iain Mansell - PA to Director
Prior to joining the LLN team in June 2007 Iain studied Business Administration and Management. Coming from a sales background, Iain is really enjoying working in Higher Education as the Director's assistant, facing new challenges setting up the systems for the project while the team has been built around him. The real challenge is to make this project work and reach its full potential and Iain works full time to support the whole team to do this.
Nici Westraadt - Health and Social Care Administrator
Before Nici joined the LLN she was involved in accounts, and had worked for many years in a financial environment. Nici then went on to a temporary part-time position as an administrator dealing with postgraduate awards and found the work very rewarding. Nici’s role within the team was as an administrator for the Health and Care Discipline Group which gave her the opportunity to continue working in an educational environment.
Rosie Borup - Technology Co-ordinator
In a previous life Rosie worked in Finance and IT, but for many years now has been a lecturer - first at FE colleges and then at Staffordshire University. Rosie’s role has included looking after students from a very wide variety of backgrounds, both UK and International. Becoming involved in the LLN, with its aims of providing opportunities for vocational learners seemed a natural extension of her work. Rosie’s work covered many subject areas, including around the titles of Engineering, Manufacturing, Construction, Land Based, and IT and also involved other related themes. The Technology Group engaged with educational partners in the area, including FE and HE institutions, as well as employers groups. They most recently worked on projects in the areas of Construction, Environmental Technology, and Engineering.
Tim Crossfield - Public Sector, Public Services Co-ordinator
While with the LLN Tim worked with colleagues in developing Foundation Degrees in Public Sector, in Community Regeneration and in Law, as well as exploring other opportunities for employers and employees in Local Councils and Local Authorities for accrediting their 'In-House' programmes. Tim investigated opportunities for progression onto a range of awards in our Partner Higher Education Institutions.
Wendy Munro - Progression Co-ordinator
Wendy has been involved in education in teaching, training and learning development for over 20 years within both further and higher education working as an assessor, verifier, centre co-ordinator, lecturer and learning development co-ordinator. Recent work has involved the development of innovative accredited learning opportunities for progression into higher education with a special focus on working with those wishing to return to learning, often after a considerable break from studying. Wendy’s particular area of interest is in learner transition and how learners can be supported to progress their learning, especially into higher education. Her role within the LLN included looking at a range of progression opportunities for learners, the development of Progression Agreements to assist learners in moving into and through higher education; progression curriculum especially to support NVQ learner progression and a range of progression projects including development of work-based learning modules and an E-portfolio. In 2006 along with colleagues from the partner universities of Keele and Wolverhampton Wendy co-wrote the business plan submission to HEFCE for this LLN. Wendy has a first degree, management and teaching qualifications and a Masters in Education with a focus on lifelong learning. She is a keen hill walker and gardener.
Nigel Beer - Creative and Media Co-ordinator
Nigel worked with colleagues to develop Foundation Degrees in Creative and Media subjects. He also investigated opportunities for progression onto a range of awards in our Partner Higher Education Institutions. As the Creative and Media Co-ordinator, the other 'half' of Nigel's role was as Senior Lecturer in Music and Popular Music at the University of Wolverhampton. Nigel is also a professional trumpeter performing and recording in the UK and abroad on a regular basis. This helps to maintain his professional performing skills and keeps his knowledge of the music industry current. Nigel is interested in aviation, motorcycling, travel and is also a keen amateur mechanic.