Meet The Team

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 started working for KNW Training in February 2012 as a Training Co-ordinator after being posted with the R.A.F to Leeming in North Yorkshire.  On being posted again to R.A.F Cosford in the Midlands in 2014, I began a new role as Business Development and Marketing Manager. I then became Business Development Director in 2018.

Career Overview:
Before starting at KNW Training I was an Admin Manager. I then moved to Cyprus and became Team Leader and Head of Field Resources.

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

Dave Warburton

Director - Quality and Environmental Representative
d.warburton@knw.co.uk

Current Role:
I am currently a director at KNW Training and look after all areas related to quality. This involves being involved in awarding body audits, visiting our assessors to check their skills are up to date and ensuring all paperwork is correctly audited.

Qualifications:

• An experienced and fully qualified training manager who has managed training programmes nationwide
• Qualified internal verifier
• Certificates in External Quality Assurance, Diploma in Management Studies and Instructor Training Certificate

3 things you may not know about me:

1. I enjoys meeting assessors and conducting on-site visits
2. I am trying to develop long overdue IT skills to the exasperation and enjoyment of all in the office!
3. I work part-time undertaking EQA work with different awarding bodies

Jean John

Non Executive Director

Jean has been retired from the business for a few years but still takes an active interest in the welfare of the company.

Samantha Mason

Operations Manager
s.mason@knw.co.uk

Current Role:
I am the Operations Manager. I ensure the smooth running of the operations of the business.

Career Overview:
I previously worked in retail for 6 years, during this period I went from Sales Assistant to Deputy Manager. I then went on to have a further 7 years in customer service roles.

Qualifications:

• I hold an Honours Degree 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 have become (a little too) obsessed with cleaning since moving house
2. I have an honours degree in Combined Social Sciences which I completed through the Open University in 2017.
3. I ran my first 10 mile event in October 2018

Geraint Davies

Awards and Product Development Coordinator
g.davies@knw.co.uk

Current Role:
I am currently the Awards and Product Development Coordinator at KNW. I am responsible for ensuring a harmonious relationship between our awarding bodies and developing new courses to meet our clients needs.

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

Julie Rodgers

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

Current Role:
I am currently the 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!

Sam Brigham

Instructor Liaison Manager
s.brigham@knw.co.uk

Current Role:
My role involves looking after the instructors who work for KNW on a freelance basis. This involves bringing on new instructors, making sure all their information is up to date and ensuring a positive relationship between our instructors and our clients.

Career Overview:
I previously worked as a designer for a Textile Company, before moving on to work in credit control and managing finance applications. I have then worked at KNW Training for the last 11 years.

Qualifications:

• HND in Surface Pattern Textile Design
• Level 2 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work
• Level 3 Award in Education and Training

3 things you may not know about me:

1. I rode an Elephant whilst travelling in Thailand
2. I attended the academy of one of the UK’s best known Grand Master of Thai Kick Boxing
3. I spoke fluent Welsh as a child but can now manage only a few words of the language

Carol Gill

Accounts and Post Training Manager
c.gill@knw.co.uk

Current Role:
I look after the accounts for KNW Training and look after some elements of post-training for the company. I have been with the company since 2017.

Career Overview:
I previously worked for the family business working through all departments before eventually becoming director until the business closed in 2016.

Qualifications:

• I am a qualified Fire Marshall at KNW Training after passing my qualification in 2018
• I am a volunteer at Bedale Youth Venue and a Trustee at Bedale hall. This has resulted in me being fully DBS approved.

3 things you may not know about me:

1. I volunteer with Bedale Youth Venue on a Friday evening
2. I am an honorary member of the Vintage Sports Car Club
3. I am the proud owner of 3 cats, 2 Moggies (Austin and Stanley) and a Maine Coon kitten called Lincoln

Katie Peacock

Operations Coordinator - HR Admin
k.peacock@knw.co.uk

Current Role:
I look after all the HR responsibilities for KNW Training. I also look after post training and candidate certification.

Career Overview:
I previously worked as a customer service assistant for 3 years during my time at University.

Qualifications:

• Finished my degree in Business Management from the University of York in 2017
• Currently Studying towards my CIPD Level 5 Diploma in Human Resources
• I hold my Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work

3 things you may not know about me:

1. I completed the Great North Run in 2017 for Cystic Fibrosis
2. I used to be a Quorn Food Tester (I am definitely not a vegetarian)
3. I fostered a Jack Russel Terrier called Pip

Simona Knowles

Operations Coordinator - Post Training
s.knowles@knw.co.uk

Current Role:
I am currently an Operations Coordinator. I am responsible for post training and certification.

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

Lindsey Dickinson

Operations Coordinator - Office Management
l.dickinson@knw.co.uk

3 things you may not know about me:

1. I am a farmer's wife
2. I hate all kinds of shopping
3. I played football for my school

Steph Hayward

Training Coordinator
s.hayward@knw.co.uk

Current Role:
I am currently a Training Coordinator at KNW Training and have been with the company for over 2 years. I look after clients training needs and strive to do this as seamlessly as possible.

Career Overview:
I was previously a Customer Service Manager looking after over 115 staff. Within this role I was responsible for bid management and ensuring the delivery of exceptional customer service. In 2003 I also started my own business with a partner which developed my commercial acumen.

Qualifications:

• I attended a BEC Business Course straight from school
• Managed business relationships between Spanish and UK head offices
• Attended Inspire and Lead Training course.

3 things you may not know about me:

1. I lived and worked for Shell UK in Gibraltar
2. I broke my leg in four places whilst skydiving in Rio
3. I was on the Russel Harty show……. who?

Cathy Bland

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

Michelle Shaw

Training Coordinator
m.shaw@knw.co.uk

Current Role:
I am currently a Training Coordinator and have been with the company since 2018.

Career Overview:
I have had over 20 years in the customer service industry. During this time, I was a Department Manager and Customer Service Manager. I have also had experience working with Sage during my time working in accounts.

Qualifications:

• I was in the USA Education system from 1978-1992

3 things you may not know about me:

1. I am American
2. I have been married for 26 years in 2019
3. I have two adult sons

Laura Smith

Training Coordinator
l.smith@knw.co.uk

Current Role:
I am a Training Coordinator at KNW Training after joining the Company in 2018.

Career Overview:
Before becoming a Training Coordinator, I had 10 years’ experience of working in Retail Management and Hotel Management.

Qualifications:

• I have attended courses in licensing regulations, conflict management, money laundering and fraud awareness, equality and disability awareness.

3 things you may not know about me:

1. I have three grown up children and a beautiful little Granddaughter
2. I spent a number of years living abroad
3. I enjoy going to the gym

Emma Singleton

Training Coordinator
e.singleton@knw.co.uk

Current Role:
I am a Training Coordinator 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 tole 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

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