Meet the Team

Working in Partnership with you

Our dedicated team is here to help and advise employers about the wealth of training and development options that the College offers. We’ll come out to visit you wherever you are in the North and guide you through the options. From Apprenticeships, through to bespoke and specialist courses and qualifications. From student placements, to advising on the availability of our meeting rooms and other College facilities, we’re here to help.

Please call the Business Development Team on 01207 585914.

Danielle Johnson, Business Development Manager

Danielle joined Derwentside College as the Business Development Manager, responsible for the growth of the college's apprenticeship provision. In her role, she leads a team of seven Business Development Consultants as well as the T‑Level Workplace Coordinator.

She brings over 18 years of national experience within the Further Education sector, along with a strong background in EdTech and Awarding Body environments. Throughout her career, she has contributed to shaping educational strategy and driving technical reform across a range of provision.

She has managed key accounts across both the public and private sectors, building strong partnerships that support organisational growth and success. Passionate about education and committed to making a difference, Danielle is solutions-focused and dedicated to identifying practical, impactful approaches that help employers achieve their commercial goals.

Connect with Danielle: danielle.johnson@derwentside.ac.uk

Paula Bruntlett, Senior Business Development Consultant

Paula has been at Derwentside College since 2008 and has a wide knowledge of the Education and Training Sector with experience in a number of vocational areas.

Paula’s primary responsibility within the Business Development Team is working within the care sector, having developed strategic partnerships with many different care companies which have been extremely beneficial to their business. This includes all aspects of care from complex needs, residential care and homecare care.

Paula works closely with employers to help with practical solutions to upskill the care workforce by creating strong and lasting relationships through offering exemplary levels of customer service.

Connect with Paula: paula.bruntlett@derwentside.ac.uk

Julia Atkinson, Senior Business Development Consultant

As an Early Years Practitioner, Julia joined Derwentside College in 2016 with 15 years experience in Further and Higher Education, having taught and assessed students of all ages.

Julia’s background in Early Years helps her recognise the challenges and identify the support employers need for staff working in childcare settings.

Working across all areas of childcare, from nursery schools to educational establishments, Julia forges successful partnerships with local authorities’ children’s services teams on behalf of Derwentside College.

Connect with Julia: julia.aktinson@derwentside.ac.uk

Joanna Elliott, Senior Business Development Consultant

Joanna has worked in Further Education for 18 years within Apprenticeships & Adult Education and brings a wealth of experience, passion & dedication for Apprenticeships & training.

With a strong business development background of 26 years sales experience honing her skills in identifying and engaging new business employer partnerships within the North East Region helping to support employers identify their skills needs and providing tailored training solutions to help support their skills gaps to transform and grow.

Joanna focuses within the Engineering & Construction industry forming partnerships with non-levy & levy employers across the region specifically working with their Recruitment & L&D Managers supporting strategically with their workforce development plans, supporting with their recruitment - bringing new talent through Apprenticeships and investing in staff training development plans for the year - growth, retention, upskilling for their workforce helping to close their growing skills shortages.

Connect with Joanna: joanna.elliott@derwentside.ac.uk

Laura Dale, Senior Business Development Consultant

Laura joined Derwentside college in June 2024, after working 8 years at a national independent training provider. Laura's background is hospitality and following this, ventured into the world of learning and development. She started her role as a trainer accessor, focusing on Hospitality and Management NVQs and Apprenticeships.

After 2 years as a training accessor, Laura moved into the role of business development, here she support businesses with workforce development, understanding apprenticeships, and the funding guidelines. She has worked with a variety of organisations and has development commercial and bespoke training needs for employers.

Laura is very keen to develop our client base, and to continue our high level of customer service with existing clients.

Connect with Laura: laura.dale@derwentside.ac.uk

Georgia Pirelli-Russell, Business Development Consultant

Georgia joined Derwentside College in January 2024 as our designated T-Level Work Placement Coordinator and has since progressed into the role of Business Development Consultant.

In her current role, Georgia works closely with employers to understand their workforce needs, skills requirements and recruitment challenges, developing strong partnerships to identify opportunities and provide solutions that meet the needs of local businesses.

Working closely with employers, learners and curriculum teams, Georgia ensures that the College continues to respond to industry needs and create meaningful opportunities that deliver positive outcomes for both businesses and learners.

Connect with Georgia: Georgia.Pirelli@derwentside.ac.uk

Bethany Kemp, Learner Recruitment Manager

Bethany joined Derwentside College in 2019 as an apprentice, achieving a Level 3 qualification in Business Administration. Before joining the college, Bethany worked as a qualified Podiatrist in the NHS.

In her current role, Bethany oversees the recruitment team, which includes two Recruitment/Administration Officers and two Learner Recruitment Consultants. The team plays a key role in supporting learners across adult education and apprenticeship programmes.