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 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 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 am currently studying for my Masters 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!

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!

Carol Gill

Purchasing and Accounts Coordinator
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. Since moving into our new home, I have become obsessed with gardening / buying plants
2. I am now the owner of 4 cats 3 Moggies (Austin, Stanley & Wolsley) and Lincoln who is Maine Coon (can you spot the connection with the names)
3. I have been an honorary member of the Vintage Sports Car Club since 2004
    

    

Simona Knowles

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

Current Role:
I am currently a Post Training Coordinator at KNW. 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

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

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 walking

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

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

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

Helen Robson

Training Coordinator
h.robson@knw.co.uk

Current Role
I am a Training Coordinator for the company after Joining in 2021

Career overview
Helen served her country as a member of the Royal Air Force for 18 years. Since leaving she has added more strings to her bow; Swimming Coach, successful Weight Management Consultant and more recently she has been an integral part of the Specialist Education remit – The founder of the award-winning “Sports for All” initiative in Richmondshire.

Qualifications

• Diplomas in Management and Team leading
• A1 Assessor/Teaching qualifications
• C&G Certificate for the Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (PAT)

3 things you may not know about me:

1. I ran my own swim school in Cyprus and was Head Coach for Bedale ASC
2. Clinical Psychotherapist/ Hypnotherapist in spare time
3. Chairperson for the RAF TG11 Association

Emma Milligan

Instructor, Course Development & Virtual Training Coordinator
e.milligan@knw.co.uk

Current Role:
I am an in-house instructor and work on course development and the coordination of virtual training.

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