Speakers

	Paul Warner - Conference Chair Director of Research and Development Association of Employment and Learning Providers Having been a specialist recruitment consultant to the defence industry for six years, Paul started in the post-16 sector in 1993 on Training for Work contracts for TBG Learning. He subsequently took on a variety of related operational and senior management roles, culminating in a successful tenure as Director of Business Development. On leaving TBG in 2002 he worked as a consultant for a time, including a spell managing WBL delivery at Barking College in East London, before joining AELP in September 2003 particularly concentrating on the alignment of the skills and employability agendas. In his current role he is responsible for all research and development activities, and holds lead policy briefs in a number of areas including technical education reforms, SEND/LLDD, and international strategy. Paul holds a First Class Honours degree in International Relations from the University of Keele, an MA in Post-Compulsory Education and Training from the University of Sheffield, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Married with one daughter, hailing from the New Forest but living in Essex, he enjoys rock music and amateur dramatics, and is training for his black belt in karate.
	Paul Joyce HMI Deputy Director, Further Education and Skills Ofsted Paul Joyce is one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors and is the Deputy Director for Further Education & Skills. Paul joined Ofsted in 2005 as HMI having previously worked within the Further Education and Skills sector in both general and specialist further education colleges. Immediately prior to working for Ofsted, Paul was a consultant for the former Department for Education and Skills and worked on national initiatives supporting improvements to teaching and learning and in leadership and management. Paul has significant inspection experience in both the schools and further education & skills remits and prior to being appointed Deputy Director was a Senior HMI with responsibility for the college inspection programme nationally.
	Mark Dawe Chief Executive Association of Employment and Learning Providers Mark was appointed as the Chief Executive of AELP over 2 years ago. He is on the Board of WorldSkills Uk as well as a range of government boards such as the ESFA Advisory Board, IfA Quality Alliance and the DfE’s Apprenticeship Stakeholder Board. Most recently, Mark Dawe was the Chief Executive of OCR, the exam board, for 5 years. He has been a governor of primary schools, secondary and a further education college. Mark has a wealth of experience across a broad spectrum in the education field. Prior to his role at OCR, Mark was Principal of Oaklands FE College (and AELP Board Director) having been Deputy Director, FE Strategy at the Department of Education and Skills and before that as Deputy Director, Adult Basic Skills Strategy Unit after joining the department in 2003. Having read Economics at Cambridge University before qualifying as a chartered accountant at KPMG, Mark joined Canterbury College, becoming Head of Corporate Services in 1994. In 2000, he helped set up eGS, an e-procurement provider to the public sector. He gets his grit and resilience from supporting Plymouth Argyle and Boreham Wood, cycling and four school aged children.
	Danny Taylor Business Development Director Smart Apprentices Co-founder of Smart Apprentices as Business Development Director Danny has taken this dynamic business from a start up to one of the top 50 fastest growing technology companies in the UK in just 5 short years. Danny started his journey from school to work as an apprentice before winning the NAS award as an apprentice employer, this journey has given him the unique insight into what life is like on both sides of the coin both as an apprentice and an award-winning employer. Danny has led the technology transformation at Smart Apprentices into the new world of employer standards and has developed considerable knowledge and expertise in how technology can benefit apprentices, training providers and their employers. Danny will share his insights on how providers can harvest technology to deliver outstanding apprenticeships, helping them meet Ofsted compliance in the new world of employer standards and gateway assessments.
	Dr Chris Jones HMI Specialist Adviser for Apprenticeships Ofsted Dr Chris Jones is a Her Majesty’s Inspector and is Specialist Adviser for Apprenticeships. He is a qualified teacher, has a master's degree in education leadership and special education, and a doctorate specialising in continuing professional development and the pedagogy of ICT. Prior to working for Ofsted, he taught in schools, colleges, and was a programme area leader in secondary and further initial teacher education. He has worked as a senior regional adviser in school improvement, managing local authority accountability for 14-19 diplomas, functional skills, raising the participation age, 14-19 qualification reviews, one-to-one tuition and pupil premium in primary and secondary schools. He has had responsibility for curriculum, quality improvement and apprenticeships in work-based learning for an independent learning provider. Chris has particular expertise of leading inspections of further education and skills, teacher training providers and education and training in prisons.
	Julie Ridley Sales Director Weir Training Julie spent the first 5 years of her career in the Retail sector, where she successfully progressed from Checkout Operator (intended to be part of a Gap Year!) to Area Stock Investigation Specialist covering the South East. Julie was headhunted into Vocational Training, a sector in which she saw great opportunity. Initially assisting with the introduction and delivery of Retail NVQ’s in the early 1990s with a local Training Provider, she quickly moved up through the ranks. Mid 1990’s, Julie was enticed to join a leading National Training Provider specialising within a variety of sectors. She celebrated the Millennium in Australia on a year secondment, developing the Sydney operation and singlehandedly introduced and implemented the Melbourne provision. Upon return to the UK in 2000, Julie decided to launch a Training Company and invited Sarah Caines, her best friend and competent colleague, to join her in this adventure. Set up in the ‘Ridley’ residence in Weir Road (hence the Company name), Weir Training was founded. From front room to front runner, Weir Training has recently been recognised as an Ofsted Outstanding Provider, across all areas and is one on the most decorated Providers in the UK. Julie is a highly educated, dedicated and conscientious individual with a strong passion for quality and success. She is married with two sons and enjoys spending time with her first love, horses whenever she can.
	Kerry Boffey Chief Executive & Founder Adult Learning Improvement Network & Fellowship of Inspection Nominees Kerry has a wealth of knowledge and experience helping to develop and improve education and training providers to become high performing organisations nationally. Promoting outstanding practice and supporting providers with plans for growth and expansion to deliver quality programmes. As a former Ofsted inspector for over 16 years across all types of provision including study programmes, traineeships, apprenticeships, SEND provision and offender learning Kerry She has been involved in the pilot inspections and leads on inspection related training across the country. Kerry is a regular conference and events speaker on inspection related topics. She also leads a quality committee on behalf of AELP with Ofsted bringing to the forefront AELP members issues and helping to shape inspections in the future. Recently, in response to the needs of the sector to strengthen the role of the nominee and improve inspection outcomes Kerry founded the newly formed Fellowship of Inspection Nominees (fin) This unique organisation provides specialist help for providers to become more confident in preparing for an Ofsted inspection to minimise risk and maximise inspection outcomes. Kerry and her team are also successful delivery partners for the Education and Training Foundation, for four years Kerry and her team have designed and delivered management programmes, SEND, Offender Learning and study programme support packages in addition to creating and developed innovative resources to support learner progress, maths, English and social action.

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