Meet the Team

Lisa joined Derwentside College in May 2016 as Business Development Manager. With over 25 years’ experience working in Business Development including Training, Recruitment, Welfare to work and Travel and Tourism. 

Lisa has a wealth of experience in Project and Contract Management and managing government funded projects. Over the years Lisa has built up excellent links with employers, partner and schools.

Stephanie has extensive knowledge of the Education and Training sector and has worked at Derwentside College since 1997. 

Stephanie has had experience of a number of vocational areas and can advise on all of the options available to employers and works primarily with a number of large employers assisting them to recruit new apprentices and identifying training opportunities for existing staff. 

Stephanie also works closely with local schools to advise students about the opportunities that are available to them at Derwentside College through presentations and attending Careers Fairs.

Paula has developed a wide knowledge of the Education and Training sector since joining Derwentside College in 2008 and knows all aspects of training delivered by the College. 

Paula has particular expertise within the Care, Catering and Hospitality and Property Services sectors where she has built up excellent relationships with employers both in the recruitment of new apprentices and upskilling existing staff. 

Paula also works closely with local schools to advise students about the opportunities that are available to them at Derwentside College through presentations and attending Careers Fairs.

Nicola joined Derwentside College in August 2017 bringing with her over 4 years of experience within the training industry.

Having worked as a Business Development Consultant previously Nicola has experience of working alongside local employers to identify training needs and skills gaps; using apprenticeships and training to strengthen local businesses.

Nicola's role at Derwentside College will see her recruiting apprentices and offering training solutions in a number of different occupational areas including Manufacturing, Engineering, Warehousing and Business Administration. 

Michael has worked in further education both teaching and apprenticeships for over 5 years.
 
Having in-depth knowledge of apprenticeship frameworks, standards and funding allows Michael to excel in providing employers and learners with an end to end service. This service involves training and business needs analysis to allow for succession planning and long-term viability. 

Working collaboratively with employers, Michael provides innovative and measurable training solutions that are bespoke to business needs.
 
With a background in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Michael will help you to successfully implement leadership and management programs for companies of various sizes.

Julia joined the college in September 2016 with over 12 years’ experience in Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE) and her background in Early Years Education she has taught and assessed in the FE sector. 

Here at the college Julia is responsible for recruiting to Apprentice Programmes and engaging with employers across a number of occupational sectors and subject from Business, Childcare & Education, Hair and Beauty to Catering.  

Julia also supports the Sector Based Work Academies (SBWA) and Employability Programmes linking with Employers to offer a range of Real Work Environment experiences to students.

Lee joined the college in November 2016 bringing with him over 10 years of experience in business development/account management. 

Having worked in various industries, Lee brings a wide scope of knowledge to the team around what is required for businesses to grow and the unique challenges different businesses face.

Lee has excellent experience in the IT & telecom, software, contact centre, housing and construction industries.

In his role at Derwentside College, Lee is working with businesses in these sectors among others helping them to up-skill existing staff where there are skills gaps and recruit new apprentices in areas where they would benefit the business.

Deborah has recently joined Derwentside College in August 2018, bringing with her over 13 years of knowledge and experience within the Training and Apprenticeship provision working in Further Education.

Deborah has an established background in the Electrical and Engineering sector and has successfully built relationships within Business Management and Professional Services.

Deborah’s role at Derwentside College is to identify and engage with potential new clients and build successful partnerships to increase business and enhance existing relationships.

Deborah will support and maintain customer relationships and ensure customer loyalty through excellent customer service as well as meeting all client needs appropriate to their business.

Gemma joined Derwentside College in August 2018, bringing with her over 10 years of experience within the education & training sector. 

In that time Gemma has gained a wide knowledge of the support function including organising, coordinating and managing processes surrounding recruitment of learners and apprentices to data management, qualification management and auditing.

Having worked as an Apprenticeship Recruitment officer previously, her role at the college is to manage the recruitment of apprentices across all occupational areas.  Working with both apprentices and companies to ensure all vacancy requirements are fulfilled.