Meet The Team

Mike John

Managing Director
mike.john@knw.co.uk

 
 

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Mandy Cope

Business Development Director
m.cope@knw.co.uk

 
 

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Samantha Mason

Operations Director
s.mason@knw.co.uk

 
 

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Julie Rodgers

Senior Training Coordinator
j.rodgers@knw.co.uk

 
 

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Geraint Davies

SHEQ Manager

g.davies@knw.co.uk

 
 

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Emma Singleton

Instructor and Sites Manager
e.singleton@knw.co.uk

 
 

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Cathy Bland

Senior Training Coordinator
c.bland@knw.co.uk

 

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Simona Knowles

Business Support Administrator
s.knowles@knw.co.uk

 

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Rachael Smart

Training Coordinator
r.smart@knw.co.uk

 

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carol at knw trainingCarol Herrington

Post Training Coordinator
c.herrington@knw.co.uk

 
 

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Rachel Mapplebeck

Post Training Coordinator
r.mapplebeck@knw.co.uk

 
 

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Emma Kent

Training & Development Lead
e.kent@knw.co.uk

 
 

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Emma HareEmma Hare

Post Training Coordinator
e.hare@knw.co.uk

 
 

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Jane Gale

Post Training Coordinator
j.gale@knw.co.uk

 
 

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erin stegglesErin Steggles

Training Coordinator
e.steggles@knw.co.uk

 
 

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knw meet the teamDonna Mitchell

Training Coordinator
d.mitchell@knw.co.uk

 
 

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Craig BriodyCraig Briody

Training Coordinator
c.briody@knw.co.uk

 
 

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Lynne HoggartLynne Hoggart

Assistant to Business Development Director
l.hoggart@knw.co.uk

 

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knw employeeAdam Hickman

Training Coordinator
a.hickman@knw.co.uk

 
 

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Johanna Ward

Training Coordinator
j.ward@knw.co.uk

 
 

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Clyde Cronfield-Smith

Training Coordinator
c.cronfield-smith@knw.co.uk

 

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knw staff photosJoanne Latheron

Accounts Coordinator
j.latheron@knw.co.uk

 

 

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knw staff photosOlivia Portsmouth

Post Training Coordinator
o.portsmouth@knw.co.uk

 

 

Jean John

Non-Executive Director

 

Dave Warburton

Non-Executive Director

 

Nathan John

Non-Executive Director

 

Mike John

Managing Director
mike.john@knw.co.uk

Overview:

  • Appointed as Managing Director of the UK division of a global manufacturing company in 1979
  • Held the same position in service sector companies until Jan 1987 when Kielder Marketing was established as a sole trading business becoming Kielder Newport West Ltd in 1997
  • Visiting Fellow of Lancaster University 1994 to 2010
  • Guest Tutor for MBA programme at Sheffield University 2006 -2010
  • Associate of Institute of Banking
  • Honorary President of CIM North West Branch 2002-5
  • Guest speaker on International Marketing, Business Strategy and Planning (London Moscow Dubai Bangkok, Hong Kong Kansas City)

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I played in the same school cricket team with Mervyn King (former Governor of the Bank of England)
  2. I represented Staffordshire Schools at Athletics, Cross County & Cricket and the county at badminton
  3. Presented business news on BBC Radio Lancashire twice a week for 5 years

Mandy Cope

Director – Business Development Manager
m.cope@knw.co.uk

Current Role:
I joined KNW Training in February 2012 as a Training Co-ordinator. In 2014 I changed roles to become our Business Development & Marketing Manager and on promotion became KNW’s Business Development Director. I am a home worker and live in the Midlands.

Career Overview:
Following my husband around the world with his military career I have had many roles such as Peterpan Playcentre Manager at RAF Halton, Sales Co-ordinator for Insight Memec in Aylesbury, Customer Service Co-ordinator then Admin Manager at Marley Roofing, Team Leader then Head of Field Resources for Fujitsu when based in Cyprus, to my current role at KNW Training.

Qualifications:

  • IOSH Managing Safely
  • Level 3 Award in Education and Training (RQF)
  • Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (RQF)
  • Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work
  • Level 2 Award in Safeguarding and Protecting Young Children and Young People (RQF)
  • Level 2 NVQ in Customer Service

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I am an avid West Ham Fan
  2. My real name is Amanda but all my friends call me Millie
  3. I have run two cross country marathons

Samantha Mason

Operations Director
s.mason@knw.co.uk

Current Role:
I am the Operations Director. I ensure the smooth running of the operations and systems within the business.

Career Overview:
I began my career in the retail sector and came to KNW in 2016 in a temporary administration position and have worked my way up internally to where I am now.

Qualifications:

  • I hold a MSc Open in Business, HR, and Finance
  • I hold a BSc (Hons) in Social Sciences with a specialism in Sociology
  • I hold my certificate in Managing with Environmental Sustainability
  • I currently hold my Level 2 award in Emergency First Aid at Work.

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I recently completed a Masters Degree in Business, HR and Finance.
  2. I enjoy keeping fit and healthy and have developed a love for running over the last few years with my longest run being the Great North Run (half marathon).
  3. I have a love for anything and everything Disney related!

 

Julie Rodgers

Senior Training Coordinator
j.rodgers@knw.co.uk

 

Current Role:
I am currently a Lead Coordinator at KNW Training. My responsibilities include managing the Training Coordinators to ensure we are offering the best service to our clients and meeting their training requirement to the best of our ability.

Career Overview:
I have held previous customer service roles including acting as Customer Service Manager. Before becoming a Training Coordinator at KNW I was a Training Coordinator for 11 years for an Engineering Training Provider.

Qualifications:

  • NVQ Level 3 in Customer Service

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I like to travel abroad as often as I can
  2. I like a challenge
  3. I enjoy days at the races… but I am not a gambler!

Geraint Davies

SHEQ Manager
g.davies@knw.co.uk

 

Current Role:
I was previously the Awards and Product Development Coordinator at KNW. My role has now progressed to SHEQ Manager.

Career Overview:
I previously had a 26-year career in HM Armed Forces, with over 12 years’ experience in designing, developing and delivering a broad spectrum of training to the Army and Army Reserve. I was previously a Training Coordinator with KNW Training for 4 years before moving on to my new role of Awards and Product Development Coordinator this year.

Qualifications:

  • I completed my Level 3 Award in Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practices. This allows me to undertake quality assurance within the company and to observe our instructors and assessors to ensure compliance.
  • I also completed my Level 3 First Aid at Work
  • I hold my NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.
  • Gained Tech IOSH Status

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I own a ukulele and often attempt to play it!
  2. I spent seven months supporting the British Antarctic Survey in South Georgia
  3. I attempted to re-trace Ernest Shackleton’s epic trek across South Georgia, South Atlantic

Emma Singleton

Instructor & Sites Manager
e.singleton@knw.co.uk

Current Role:
I am the Instructor & Sites Manager at KNW Training after joining the Company in 2018.

Career Overview:
I previously worked in the construction industry working specifically in Health and Safety. I have also held the role of office manager working in rural planning.

Qualifications:

  • COSHH certificate
  • NVQ Level 4 in Business

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I live for chocolate (and my daughter of course)
  2. My preferred items of footwear are my wellies!
  3. I am a passionate skiier

Cathy Bland

Senior Training Coordinator
c.bland@knw.co.uk

 

Current Role:
I am a Training Coordinator for KNW and have been with the company since 2017. I handle various clients training requirements and hope to facilitate their needs to the best of my ability.

Career Overview:
I have had a varied career. I started off working in a payment department which involved dealing with internal policies to aid in the process of customer payments. I then worked for 5 years in customer service management. Before joining KNW I also worked for 2 years in customer service for a local leisure provider looking after their day to day running and assisting with marketing.

Qualifications:

  • I am a Fire Marshall at KNW Training after passing my qualification in 2018.

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I was a Landlady between 2010 and 2015
  2. I’m the most accident prone person in the world
  3. I have a secret love of Elton John

Simona Knowles

Business Support Administrator
s.knowles@knw.co.uk

 

Current Role:
I was previously a Post Training Coordinator at KNW. My active role has now progressed to Business Support Administrator.

Career Overview:
Held previous customer roles which has allowed me to develop my problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.  

Qualifications:

  • I hold my BA honours Degree in Language and Literature
  • Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Certificate in Marketing

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I love animals. I enjoy walking my dogs and I rescued 17 kittens and re-homed them in 2018
  2. I love cooking and trying new recipes
  3. I can speak three languages

Rachael Smart

Training Coordinator
r.smart@knw.co.uk


Current Role:

I am a Training Coordinator at KNW Training after joining the Company in 2019.

Career Overview:
I previously had 10 years’ experience of working in finance before becoming Head of Administration.

Qualifications:

  • I attended a GDPR course

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I am a keen sewer
  2. I enjoy science museums & art galleries
  3. I love to read

Carol Herrington

Post Training Coordinator
c.herrington@knw.co.uk

Current Role
I joined the company in 2021 as a Training Coordinator, I then moved to the Post Training team in 2023

Career overview
Prior to working for KNW I worked in customer service, as a beauty therapist both in a salon and self-employed, and as a childcare practitioner for 10 years when my children were younger. These varied careers have allowed me to gain valuable skills and knowledge such as good communication and organisational skills.

Qualifications

  • NVQ level 3 in customer services
  • BA (Hons) in The Education and of Children, Young People, and Families.

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. Whilst travelling I stayed with a tribe in the jungle in Borneo
  2. I worked as a masseuse on a cruise liner in the Bahamas
  3. I am a fully qualified Reiki Practitioner

Rachel Mapplebeck

Post Training Coordinator
r.mapplebeck@knw.co.uk

Current Role:
I work with Post Training as well processing other course administration.

Career Overview:
I have worked in accounts and administration roles as well as working for 25 years as Cabin Crew on three different airlines.

Qualifications:

  • OCR Level 2 in Adult Numeracy
  • OCR Level 1 in Adult Literacy
  • NVQ Level 2 in Aviation in the Air

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I name my cars! My Civic was Claire and my Mini is Maxine (Max for short)
  2. I am one of the original Bedale Litter Busters who pick on Sunday mornings in Bedale
  3. I am one of the clumsiest people you will ever meet, most of my family/friends pick up drinks as I approach

Emma Kent

Training & Development Lead
e.kent@knw.co.uk

Current Role:
I originally joined KNW as an in-house instructor and worked on course development and the coordination of virtual training. I am now the Training & Development Lead

Career Overview:
After initially starting my career in childcare I have spent most of my working life involved in apprenticeship delivery and further education.  Over the years this progressed to designing and creating bespoke training courses and carrying out quality assurance whilst still making sure I had the time to continue to deliver training which is something I love to do.

Qualifications:

  • L4 Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS)
  • L4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Process and Practice
  • L5 Diploma in Management and Leadership
  • L3 First Aid (instructor)
  • L3 Health and Safety (instructor)

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I love a bit of DIY
  2. I once appeared on GMTV with Mr Motivator!
  3. I spent 3 seasons working abroad as a children’s rep

Emma Hare

Post Training Coordinator
e.hare@knw.co.uk

Current Role
I joined KNW Training in 2022 as a Post Training Coordinator.

Career overview
I started my career in childcare, working my way up from childcare apprentice to nursery manager. I then relocated from Durham to North Yorkshire. On relocating,  I had a change of career to finance, where I worked for 8 years supporting clients with their financial portfolios.

Qualifications

  • BSc (Hons) in Early Years and Childhood Studies
  • Early Years Professional Status (qualified teacher status)
  • Paediatric First Aid

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I have featured on ITV news with the nursery I used to work for, supporting parents and discussing the rising costs of childcare.
  2. I volunteer every Wednesday afternoon, running a local Girl Guiding Rainbows group.
  3. I have 2 border collie dogs and we train in agility.

Jane Gale

Post Training Coordinator
j.gale@knw.co.uk

Current Role
I work at KNW Training as a Post Training Coordinator and joined the company in 2022.

Career Overview
Prior to becoming a Post Training Coordinator, I have over twelve years of experience in administrative roles including working as an Admin Assistant at a Primary School.

Qualifications

  • RSA Typewriting stages I & II
  • Safeguarding Assessment
  • Prevent Online Training
  • GDPR

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I enjoy walking and golfing (weather permitting).
  2. I have two grown up children and became a grandma in 2021.
  3. You will usually find me in the garden.

Erin Steggles

Training Coordinator
e.steggles@knw.co.uk

Current Role
I joined KNW Training in early 2022 as a Trainee Training Coordinator.

Career overview
Prior to working at KNW, I worked in Care and Support working for some years, I also worked in Admin Roles before care.

Qualifications

  • I have attended WorldHost Training

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I used to drive race cars (Autograss Racing).
  2. I love to travel and explore (I have been to Australia for Christmas).
  3. I have over 40 pairs of shoes!

Donna Mitchell

Training Coordinator
d.mitchell@knw.co.uk

Current Role
I joined KNW Training in January 2023 as a Training Coordinator. 

Career Overview
I began my career in Customer Service before moving on to Purchase Ledger and progressing to Accounts Administrator and Assistant Management Accountant. I then moved on to IT where I was a Systems Analyst supporting Finance and HR. After leaving the company I then moved on to being an Administrator supporting Sales and Operations Teams.

Qualifications

  • BTEC Diploma Foundation Studies in Art & Design
  • BA Hons Degree Woven Textiles
  • NVQ in Customer Service
  • Diploma in Management Accounts as part of CIMA
  • Microsoft Office – VBA
  • Leadership in Running Fitness
  • Safeguarding in Athletics

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I enjoy running and walking.  Mostly off-road on trails or in the fells with a preference for long distance, with my favourite races being about 30 miles.
  2. I like to grow fresh fruit and veg in my garden.
  3. I volunteer at the National Trust in the Retail and Visitor Experience departments.
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Craig Briody

Training Coordinator
c.briody@knw.co.uk

Current Role
I am currently a Training Coordinator with KNW Training, having joined the company in May 2022.

Career overview
I previously had a 37-year career in HM Armed Forces, my last appointment was as a Training and Resource Coordinator, this involved designing, producing, and resourcing programmes for a variety of different Infantry Basic Training courses including the Army Reserve. This involved liaising with internal and external customers daily to ensure theirs’s and our needs were met.

Qualifications

  • Level 5 in Leadership and Management
  • Train the Trainer Manager

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I have done a 15 second freefall skydive.
  2. I am an avid Rugby League supporter.
  3. I am a grandfather to 3.

Lynne Hoggart

Assistant to Business Development Director
l.hoggart@knw.co.uk

Current Role
I joined KNW Training in September 2022 as Assistant to the Business Development Director. 

Career Overview
I have had an exciting and varied career, in no small part due to my husband’s military career and the transient nature of the Armed Forces. This has provided me with diverse knowledge and skills from many occupations, examples include Education Officer to HM Forces personnel in Germany and Information Officer to serving families based in Hertfordshire. 

I hold a BA (Hons) Graphic Design from Cambridge School of Arts.  This lead to an amazing 17 year career as a Graphic Designer, working up from Assistant to Senior Level for Origen Financial Services and then Initial Facilities in Surrey.  

The birth of my children and the associated move home to Northallerton lead to a sudden change of career.  Prior to starting work in KNW I spent a rewarding 5 years at Kebir House Veterinary Practice Ltd as a Practice Manager, further developing my knowledge, skills and experience. 

 

Qualifications

  • BA (Hons) Graphic Design
  • Level 2 NVQ in Business Administration
  • Level 2 Certificate in Leadership

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I am a very active individual and love to keep fit; I predominantly enjoy running.  I have also competed in Middle Distance Triathlon as a member of Relay Team.
  2. I adore the outdoors; walking in Yorkshire always reminds me how lucky and truly blessed we are to live in such an amazing county.
  3. I am a Grassroots Football Manager for an U9’s team in Northallerton Town Juniors Football Club (NTJFC), a role that energises me and provides a huge amount of pleasure.

Adam Hickman

Training Coordinator
a.hickman@knw.co.uk

Current Role:
I Joined KNW in 2023 as a Training Coordinator.

Career Overview:
Before KNW I worked in retail alongside my studies in Newcastle.

Qualifications:

  • 2:1 Honours in Business with Marketing Management.
  • A* In Business A-Level.

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I am a huge Aston Villa supporter.
  2. I love going for hikes in the Lakes.
  3. It’s on my bucket list to road-trip across America
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Johanna Ward

Training Coordinator
j.ward@knw.co.uk

Current Role
I joined KNW Training in February 2023 as a Training Coordinator. 

Career Overview
Prior to becoming a Training Coordinator, I have spent the whole of my career as a Business Administrator covering various roles from Account Maintenance/Administration, Order Processing, Data Entry, Sales and Customer Service.

Qualifications

  • NVQ Level 2 – Business Administration

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I enjoy walking and visiting historical and English Heritage sites.
  2. I am the only girl out of 6 children.
  3. I am a huge Marvel fan.
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Clyde Cronfield-Smith

Training Coordinator
c.cronfield-smith@knw.co.uk

Current Role
I joined KNW in 2023 as a Training Coordinator.

Career Overview
My career has predominantly been based in the customer service and hospitality industry, having worked at several different pubs and restaurants.

Qualifications

  • A-Level in Filmmaking
  • A-Level in Photography
  • A-Level in Media

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I love travelling and have been to South America where I spent time in places like the Amazon Rainforest and the highest capital city in the world, La Paz.
  2. I enjoy being outdoors and often go camping, rock climbing and swimming all over the UK.
  3. Me and my family love music festivals and going to concerts.
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Joanne Latheron

Accounts Coordinator
j.latheron@knw.co.uk

Current Role
I joined KNW in January 2024 as an Accounts Coordinator. I look after the financial transactions of the business.

Career Overview
I have worked in finance for over 30 years. Making my way up from Office Junior to Office Manager in previous roles. 

Qualifications

  • GDPR
  • Anti-bribery
  • Fire Safety
  • Prevent

3 things you may not know about me:

  1. I have two Dachshunds, that I adore. We enjoy going for walks and regularly meet up with other Dachshund enthusiasts for organised walks around the local area.
  2. I took up running at the age of 41. I’ve completed a few 5k Park Runs, and a couple of 10K events. My running motto is ‘slow and steady’
  3. My family and I love travelling and the outdoors. During the summer months, we enjoy weekends relaxing in our caravan, having graduated from a tent, folding camper and now our ‘second home’.
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