Joanne leads the consortium’s project bidding and delivery processes. Working closely with the LEP to pursue funding streams that can help to deliver projects to close the skills gaps for employers across the Leeds City Region. Joanne leads the core project team to ensure contracts are developed, implemented and executed successfully.

Joanne has worked in the public sector for over 25 years with experience in Project Management of large-scale complex EU and non-EU contracts from bid inception, performance management of supply chains to project completion. She has spent 16 years specifically within Further Education, maximising external funding opportunities with overall management responsibility for several regional and national Prime Contractor based ESF programmes.

Louise has worked for the Consortium since 2002 and leads on strategic partnerships. Working in collaboration with colleges, stakeholders and strategic partners, Louise ensures that the consortium delivers skills training to employers in the Leeds City Region in line with our LEP priorities.

Louise leads on the Joint Venture Partnership with colleges, as well as the Leeds City Region Skills Network, which connects colleges, universities, private providers and the voluntary sector.

Louise has worked in Further Education for over 25 years. A graduate of University College London and member of the British Psychological Society, Louise has taught in both FE colleges and universities.

Joanne is responsible for identifying and executing training and skills development programmes for employers and colleges within the Leeds City Region. Joanne leads on developing new training programmes in the construction, low carbon, transport, logistics, digital and creative sectors, to deliver a range of ESF projects.

Joanne has extensive experience of managing skills-related engagement in many sectors nationally and regionally - cyber security, digital, construction, advanced manufacturing, rail, energy efficiency, health, and climate change.

With a proven track record of project management, Joanne has developed successful proposals, costings, and secured and delivered complex and large-scale projects.

Rachel is responsible researching and analysing market insight that may influence the programme design, delivery and ongoing review and evaluation of funded projects. Rachel leads on the action research demonstrator projects and develops stakeholder relationships that support research and intelligence across all projects.

Rachel has 10 years’ experience of engaging with change and developments in an external research funding environment, and a detailed understanding of the skills and inclusive growth agenda.

Georgia manages and co-ordinates relationships between delivery partners & sub-contractors and WYCC once the Funding Agreement is live. Georgia performance manages the delivery of contracted activity against profile and ensures quality assurance. Her role also includes making sure that all evidence conforms to the ESF guidelines, making claims to the Managing Authority and facilitating any external audits.

Georgia has over 13 years’ experience working in the training and education industry both in the private and public sector, with the last 8 years spent working within HE managing relationships and contracts within externally funded projects across a breadth of industries and initiatives nationally.

Kay manages and co-ordinates relationships between delivery partners & sub-contractors and WYCC once the Funding Agreement is live. Kay performance manages the delivery of contracted activity against profile and ensures quality assurance. Her role also includes making sure that all evidence conforms to the ESF guidelines, making claims to the Managing Authority and facilitating any external audits.

Kay comes to the team from the Education and Skills Funding Agency, where she worked on the Provider Risk and Assurance team, a role that she first started in 2005 for the Learning and Skills Council. As such, she has a wide range of experience covering several funding streams and post 16 learning.

Maugan’s primary role is to ensure that the evidence received from partners is sufficient to support the claim and is processed and maintained to comply with ESF requirements. Maugan also leads on sub-projects, for example, ensuring that ISO and sustainability compliance is met. Maugan also helps with ongoing tasks including Quality Assurance and Internal Audit checks.

As a recent graduate with both public private sector experience, Maugan brings with her experience and knowledge from the NHS, SABMiller and Trevor Iles.

Rebecca’s primary role is to ensure the evidence received from partners is sufficient to support the claim and is processed and maintained to comply with ESF requirements. . Rebeccaensures all ESF reporting requirements, formats and regulations are accurate and that timely reports are submitted. Rebecca maintains supportive relationships with project partners and sub contracts to ensure all claims are handled effectively

Rebecca has 3 years’ experience working within the Further Education industry for colleges across South Yorkshire. She has worked on several high value projects in areas such as procurement, due diligence, compliance and auditing, often involving funding streams such as the ESF.

Lucy is responsible for developing the reputation and brand of the consortium. Lucy’s role includes raising awareness of the ESF funded projects among stakeholders and making sure everyone is informed and engaged. She will support Joint Venture Colleges, providers and employers with their marketing and communications to deliver, successful programmes within the ESF projects.

Lucy’s day to day role includes stakeholder and media relations, social media management, web content development, copywriting, branding, campaign planning and PR.

Lucy has worked in public sector marketing and communications for over 15 years including further and higher education establishments, emergency services and the NHS.

Alex’s role at WYCC involves developing and maintaining consistent communications, managing and facilitating key network events, and ensuring good working relationships with internal and external contacts. Alex plays a large role in the running of the Leeds City Region Skills Network.

Alex joined the consortium in July 2017, having worked in the public sector for the past three years.