EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

Drew’s work involves developing business and financial strategies to underpin major service developments and transformational projects. He has spent the last 20 years of his career at senior management and Board level leading large-scale employment, skills and business growth services.

Tractor owner, and having started working life in arable farming, Drew’s long-term ambition is to have his own smallholding.

MANAGING DIRECTOR

James leads our public policy consultancy activity, working with apprenticeship providers, FE colleges, universities, local authorities, combined authorities and charitable trusts to understand how their operating environment is changing and what this means for future strategy and delivery.

A cricket follower, his lamentable playing record features in a humorous book about the sport by the editor of Wisden.

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR

Yacht cognoscente Mark, works with FE and HE to build capability to engage with employers. He develops clients’ propositions to take to the market, including developing and implementing strategic marketing plans. Internationally Mark has worked across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East on skills programmes. His specialism is programme recovery where major shake ups are required to turn around performance.

FINANCE DIRECTOR

A former Company Secretary at a large Apprenticeship provider , Gill has extensive experience working within the training and education sector, with her career spanning over 25 years in project management, finance, legal and contracting. Gill is focused on building evidence and data supporting commercial strategies, facilitating governance processes, and programme administration. She is responsible for quality improvement strategies for learning programmes. Gill is an alumni member of the Goldman Sachs 10k Small Business programme.

Keen traveller, Gill is yet to ‘top’ her greatest adventure of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

SENIOR ASSOCIATE CONSULTANT

Richard's early career involved working nationally on vocational qualifications, training programme design, and assessment. Later, he served as TEC Chief Executive in Cheshire TEC and Manchester. In 2000, he helped establish Manchester Enterprises Group and was CEO of the group (renamed Manchester Solutions) until 2013. He then worked as Policy Adviser at City & Guilds and the Institute for Apprenticeships.

He was awarded the OBE in 1996 for services to training and enterprise. He is a keen cyclist, motorcyclist and narrowboater.

COMMERCIAL MANAGER

Outdoor enthusiast and avid mountain cyclist, Tracey has worked in leadership & management for over 20 years. Tracey brings a wealth of experience in organisational development, operations and commercial sales & marketing strategy. Tracey is passionate about employee engagement, developing skills & enabling teams to contribute in achieving business goals.

SENIOR CONSULTANT

Dave has an extensive, successful track record of delivery in project and programme management including operational and change management programmes. He has built Project Management Office operations at some of the best-known education providers in the sector.

When Dave isn’t at work, he can be found on the golf course practising his swing.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE

With over 15 years of dedicated experience as a Sales Leader within Apprenticeships, Paul has cultivated a wealth of knowledge in fostering high-performing teams and spearheading impactful business development strategies. He is deeply committed to nurturing potential and contributing to individual growth.

Beyond work, Paul derives immense fulfilment as a dedicated Liverpool Football Club supporter. He also spends his spare time coaching junior football teams, embodying his belief in mentorship and community engagement.

ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

Sarah has an impressive background in finance and marketing showcasing her expertise in strategic planning and analysis in complex environments. Sarah worked as a senior advisor through COVID taking on the Brexit agenda at referendum decision, for 18 months, converting central govt policy to operational advice.

Sarah has many talents and one of her claims to fame is that she is a published author.

ASSOCIATE CONSULTANT

Caroline is a qualified teacher with a strong passion for education. Formally a deputy principal of a GFE college and prior to that a vice principal responsible for curriculum and quality. She has held senior leadership positions for 17 years during which time she was responsible for the education of young people, adults, and apprentices.

Caroline enjoys travelling and spending time with friends and family.

ASSOCIATE CONSULTANT

Gardening enthusiast Lucy, supports clients in the education and skills sector, with a particular interest in apprenticeships. Lucy’s work includes supporting clients in improving the quality of their apprenticeship provision. She has experience in leading on commercial projects and designed and mobilised large apprenticeship programmes for blue chip clients.

CONSULTANT & ACCOUNT MANAGER

Michael has over 16 years experience in further and higher education covering account management, supply chain management, data handling, MI and project management; working throughout the UK.

Michael doesn’t just hit an ace with his work, he has played tennis with some superstars of the music world, which includes Cliff Richard.

ASSOCIATE SENIOR CONSULTANT & BUSINESS ANALYST

Ayaz has over 14 years experience delivering business process change & transformation projects for clients in the Pharma, FMCG, IT-Telecoms and Education sectors. Ayaz has delivered solutions that include online application forms, automated scheduling, integrating timetabling and event booking systems.

Ayaz takes every opportunity to ‘fire up’ the BBQ.

ASSOCIATE CONSULTANT & ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

Tara has worked in education and training for over 25 years. Tara’s background is in teaching, learning and subject management. She has managed sales and account management functions and trained teams, covering apprenticeship, HE, commercial and other funded programmes.

Tara likes to be active, enjoying country walks and admiring the views.

CONSULTANT

Jake has held several policy advisory roles across local government and employer representative bodies. For most of his career, his roles have been centred on advising government at all levels and representing Britain’s leading businesses across several different policy specialisms including skills, regional economic development, transport, tech/digital and industrial decarbonisation.

Outside of work, Jake enjoys travelling, live music festivals and is a keen football fan.

DATA ANALYST & REPORT WRITER

Gary’s idea of fun comes in the form of wading through a sea of data and numbers to make sense of it all and turning it into meaningful and useful business insight. Garys career spans the welfare to work industry and further education.

Given the opportunity, Gary enjoys painting and DIY around his house and garden.

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Lauren is part of the account management team that works with the client base at Think. Lauren’s experience comes from a career in commercial and operational roles, which has given her a well-rounded approach.

When Lauren isn’t working, she likes to be exploring the world, describing herself as ‘an avid traveller’.

RECRUITMENT EXECUTIVE

Ying has worked in both the career consultancy and education consultancy fields for the past 5 years: assisting overseas students with employment placements, English language studies and with higher education applications. In her spare time, Ying enjoys cooking for her family and has achieved the prestigious award of her son’s top 3 favoured dishes. Ying is a big supporter of Yoga, especially hot yoga during the UK’s cold climate.

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Charlotte has over 14 years of experience working in operations covering account management, case handling and managing service level agreements. With a real passion for providing excellent customer service and communication, Charlotte thrives applying her skills to her role on a day-to-day basis

During her homelife, Charlotte enjoys spending time with her family and two children whilst enjoying holidays in the sun and socialising with friends.

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Tom has over 7 years of experience in client relationship management, in addition to having previously graduated with an LLB (Hons) degree at MMU. Tom has a passion for delivering excellent customer service, fuelled by a commitment to understand a client’s needs, the challenges they must overcome and the successful delivery of their objectives. With a background in business development, Tom is experienced in sourcing new partner opportunities with a drive to creating solutions that align to their development requirements.

In his spare time, Tom supports Manchester United and is manager of an adult amateur football team, he enjoys spending time with friends and family and can be found planning city breaks and weekends away.

CLIENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGER

Suzanne brings a wealth of client relationship management experience having spent 35 years working at a high street bank, the last 15 years as Senior Relationship Manager.

Suzanne is passionate about building long-term business relationships, and bringing a positive and proactive approach to client and customer service development.

Outside of work Suzanne can be seen pounding the streets as a keen runner, raising money for Macmillan, and playing taxi service to her twin daughters.

KEY CLIENT EXECUTIVE

Avid festival fan and music lover, Emily brings her enthusiasm and energy into her work. Having gained years of client facing experience, working with a diverse range of industries from retail to logistics, Emily has developed a wealth of communication and organisational skills. More recently applied directly into recruitment, supporting and onboarding a plethora of personnel into different roles.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR

Hayley has over 15 years experience working in operations, covering customer service, business admin and contractor relations. Hayley has joined Think to apply her business admin skills and support organising contract documentation for all of Thinks clients.

In her spare time Hayley enjoys cosy weekends with family, which includes cooking up a traditional Sunday lunch for all to enjoy.