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Meet the team

Discover some of the amazing team...

Discover some of the amazing team behind the creation and development of Apprentify and gain an insight into the people you could be directly working with.

Jonathan  Fitchew

Jonathan Fitchew

Group CEO Apprentify Group


About Me

Having spent 25 years building Pareto law into a global sales transformation business helping companies grow and develop their sales teams, I have joined the board to accelerate the sales growth of Apprentify and offer some support to the board while Apprentify grows organically and through acquisition. Having previously worked with Paul Drew for 10 years I have built a special partnership based on trust with the goal of jointly building a winning culture.

My Favourites
Located: Alderley park
Food: Chicken jalfrezi
Film: The Bodyguard
Hobby: Playing the piano, fine wine and travel.
Paul Drew

Paul Drew

Managing Director / Founder


About Me

As Managing Director, I am responsible for the company's success, performance, and drive. A key to the success of the company has been the ability to demonstrate the business values by leading by example. As a result, I avoid the noise of business by using the art of listening & questioning to drive the real business drivers.

The experience I have accumulated in digital, technology, and 3 years as Managing Director of an apprenticeship business led me to launch this company, which is designed to help businesses harness the power of digital talent in the digital age. It is a simple concept that takes the very best in digital and technical training and combines it with cutting-edge techniques & technology for business growth. 

It isn't just about knowledge transfer, but about the application and impact on a business or person's career far beyond the training or development we give. It is about life development.

My Favourites
Located: Cheshire
Food: Pizza
Film: StarWars - It was my childhood
Hobby: Fitness & drinking weird green drinks
Dale Walker

Dale Walker

Director of Curriculum and Learning


About Me

Prior to my professional career, I spent my youth building and creating content for a variety of websites. I started my actual career in IT sales working for one of the UK's largest recruitment companies. Since leaving sales, I've forged my path in apprenticeships. Having worked in both smaller and larger training providers, I've come to call Apprentify home since joining as our first employee in 2018. I met Paul in a Caffè Nero in Knutsford after a random LinkedIn message - I was sold on the idea immediately and haven't regretted a day since.

My Favourites
Located: Manchester
Food: Anything but mushrooms. Devil veg!
Film: The Dark Knight
Hobby: Trying to find the perfect beer (don't worry, I already know it's a DIPA)
Julie Whalley

Julie Whalley

Head of Delivery


About Me

I have over 18 years in Apprenticeships across various sectors - from Motor Vehicle to Digital Marketing working for both small and large providers. - I love how apprenticeships change lives and open doors for people to enable them to achieve their career ambitions - When I'm not at work I love to spend time with my family and my 2 fur babies (dogs).

My Favourites
Located: Whitefield Manchester
Food: Mexican
Film: Don't really have a favourite film - but I hate horror movies
Hobby: Theatre
Jamie Tweddell

Jamie Tweddell

Business Development Director


About Me

Hi - I'm Jamie (or Tweds to my colleagues). I have circa 20 years' experience in Enterprise Sales, and a history of structuring complex talent acquisition & development programmes for clients across a huge variety of sectors. My role at Apprentify starts with really understanding the strategic objectives, and L&D preferences of you, the Client! From there, I will work with you to structure an appropriate programme designed to ensure these are achieved, before assigning the optimal resource from our world class Talent & Delivery Teams.

In my spare time I'm a proud father (I have a beautiful 1 year old daughter), a super competitive cyclist (raced at 2nd Cat - I once won a road race at the famous Pennypot Circuit), and I'm considered by many as one of the best Pokemon Go! battlers in the world (IGN Elphidel). I also once finished 3rd in the 888.com Main Event (poker) and held the world record for Tekken3. Life, as they say, is about balance!

My Favourites
Located: Gods' Own Country (Yorkshire - Leeds)
Food: Vegetable Karahi (this changes weekly)
Film: Predator
Hobby: Too many to list (see "About You")
Nick Hough

Nick Hough

Sales Development Representative


About Me

After recently graduating from the University of Reading, I have started my career as an SDR here at Apprentify. I'm excited to develop my skills in the role and help businesses supercharge their teams through world class apprenticeships.

My Favourites
Located: London
Food: Lasagne
Film: Pulp Fiction
Hobby: Football, Golf
Ben Robinson

Ben Robinson

Sales Development Representative


About Me

After graduating from University I am really excited to of started my career in sales. I wanted to work for a company that helped benefit others. You’ll find me on the phone to prospects most of the time or watching United.

My Favourites
Located: HQ-Alderley Edge
Food: Indian
Film: The Wolf of Wall Street
Hobby: Golf, cycling, football and anything else sports related!
Lauren McNicholas

Lauren McNicholas

Sales Development Representative


About Me

After 10 years in hospitality I wanted to work for a company that made a difference to people's lives (and have my weekends back).

My Favourites
Located: Birmingham
Food: Steak
Film: Inception
Hobby: Eating and dancing (at the same time).
Sophie McGeachin

Sophie McGeachin

Sales Development Representative


About Me

Hi, I'm Sophie and I'm a Sales Development Representative at Apprentify. I finished school last year and have decided to start working instead of go to university. I'm really looking forward to this experience and seeing where it will take me in the future. Outside of work I love travelling and going out for bottomless brunch!

My Favourites
Located: London
Food: Cheese
Film: Soul
Hobby: Yoga, running, online shopping
Sam Cridland

Sam Cridland

Sales Development Representative


About Me

Hi, I'm Sam and I'm starting my career as a Sales Development Representative here at Apprentify. I have recently graduated from The Manchester Metropolitan University with a degree in Business Management and am excited to see where a career in sales will take me.

My Favourites
Located: London
Food: Sushi
Film: The Wolf of Wall Street
Hobby: Golf
Luca Palmeri

Luca Palmeri

Sales Development Representative


About Me

I have joined Apprentify as an SDR after completing my degree from the University of York, I have previously worked for TGI Fridays and Apple and look forward to what lies ahead at Apprentify.

My Favourites
Located: Birmingham
Food: Steak
Film: Avatar
Hobby: Photography
Scott Austin

Scott Austin

Head of Talent


About Me

With nearly 5 years of experience in apprenticeships, my passion lies with the Talent Recruitment side. Matching our employers with new apprentices who are looking to break through into their chosen industry. Apprentify’s Career Champion, offering information, advice and guidance to apprentices, schools and anyone who is unsure of their next steps. When not helping apprentices, you will either find me on a football pitch or slicing golf balls into bushes on the golf course.

My Favourites
Located: Chesterfield
Food: Chinese
Film: Hacksaw Ridge
Hobby: Football, Golf and Squash
Will Fitchew

Will Fitchew

Recruitment Executive


About Me

Hi, I'm Will and I'm a Recruitment Executive on the Talent Team here at Apprentify. I have recently left school and decided to join the working world rather than go to university. I joined Apprentify at the start of November and haven't looked back since. 

My Favourites
Located: Cheshire / Manchester
Food: Steak and Fries
Film: The Other Guys
Hobby: Going to the gym and travelling UK to see my friends
Lauren Beavis

Lauren Beavis

Talent Acquisition Executive


About Me

I have worked in apprenticeships for over 7 years now in various sectors, from construction to professional services. Starting out as an apprentice myself gave me a passion to help change others' lives through the power of education. When I am not working, I spend my time with my son, partner, and my hairy daughter (Millie dog).

My Favourites
Located: Derby
Food: Anything Italian!
Film: Harry Potter (all)
Hobby: Socialising, travelling and eating (lots)
Carl Ennis

Carl Ennis

Technical Programmes Manager


About Me

I am an experienced trainer and training manager currently living and working in the Manchester area. My areas of focus as a manager have been Digital Marketing, Software, Data Analytics and other IT related training courses. As a trainer, my experience comes from a Military and Educational background working with highly skilled and focused professionals. Outside of work, I like to travel on my motorbike and I have a huge passion for football, photography, videography and drones.

My Favourites
Located: Manchester
Food: Pizza
Film: Avengers: End Game
Hobby: Football, snowboarding, photography, travel
Rebecca Craven

Rebecca Craven

Senior Development Coach


About Me

I'm one of the development coaches at Apprentify and work on our marketing apprenticeships, both as a trainer and also coaching apprentices alongside their employers. I started out as an infant teacher but changed direction and spent over fifteen years working in marketing; my favourite roles being in museums and visitor attractions. I really enjoy being part of the Apprentify gang, which makes me well suited to welcoming all our new delivery staff and guiding them through their inductions. I can also be found having an online brew (Yorkshire only) and mentoring colleagues who are setting new challenges and developing their careers.

My Favourites
Located: Yorkshire
Food: Chocolate. No question.
Film: Sliding Doors
Hobby: Running- whether it's local trails with my spaniel, or completing events with my friends.
Simon Rayson

Simon Rayson

Delivery Manager


About Me

I am an experienced educator working in the sector since 2008, I started as a lecturer, and I then moved into training. I am currently a senior development coach. I have a skill set covering a range of programs in the digital space. Currently concentrating on Digital Marketing and Junior Content Producer, with a focus on Learning and Development. I hold a MA in Graphic Design, and I am a member of The Chartered Society of Designers. I am passionate about helping people develop and grow. My family is everything to me, I am the father of 2 girls. Apprentify is a great place for my work-life balance.

My Favourites
Located: Cheshire, Warrington
Food: Steak
Film: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Hobby: DIY
Mark Benzar

Mark Benzar

Development Coach


About Me

I have been teaching since 2011 in the Lifelong Learning Sector. I have worked in a wide range of roles for a variety of organisations within the industry. In 2018, I was approached by a large apprenticeship provider to teach my trade to apprentices, and the rest is history! I love my job and I love the people that I work with.

My Favourites
Located: Liverpool (but I travel sometimes)
Food: Fajita, Gulyas
Film: Legend, Grand Budapest Hotel
Hobby: Judo, Photography, DIY
Laura Furlong

Laura Furlong

Development Coach


About Me

Having left the digital marketing agency behind, I have now been working in digital apprenticeships for just shy of 7 years and love it as I am passionate about helping people to develop. I am a qualified Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) and currently work to support learners with the level 3 Digital Marketer and Junior Content Producer standards. Back in December 2019 I welcomed my baby boy into the world, so for three days a week I’m a Development Coach and the rest of my time is spent seeing the magic of the world through the eyes of a toddler. I have dreadful taste in TV, enjoy travel and city breaks, whilst also being an avid Hard Rock Café memorabilia collector (it’s cool & I won’t hear otherwise…).  

My Favourites
Located: Wirral
Food: Indonesian
Film: Planes, Trains and Automobiles (John Candy & Steve Martin combined can do no wrong!)
Hobby: Browsing Rightmove
Lisa Hoyle

Lisa Hoyle

Development Coach


About Me

I have worked in education for 16 years. During this time I have delivered. Media Production, Social Media for Business, Digital Marketing and Junior Content Producer. 


My Favourites
Located: Milnrow, Greater Manchester
Food: Japanese and Greek
Film: Blade Runner/It’s a Wonderful Life
Hobby: Craft, sewing walking, reading, baking/cooking
Nick Faulkner

Nick Faulkner

Development Coach


About Me

Data Analyst coach with over 10 years in using data tools to provide insight into the meaning of data that has been collected


My Favourites
Located: Alton, Hampshire
Food: Salad
Film: Knives out
Hobby: Cars and gadgets
Amy Green

Amy Green

Development Coach


About Me

Hello everyone! I graduated from Manchester University in 2001 and trained as a secondary school teacher. After 13 years of teaching I then returned to study and completed an MA and a BTEC in Social Media for Business. I have worked in the Digital Marketing Industry both on the agency side and as a freelancer. I finally found my true passion as a DM coach in my 30's. I love this job because it combines my love of blogging and social media with my love of teaching and helping others. 

My Favourites
Located: Liverpool
Food: Chicken Tikka Masala / Pad Thai
Film: Clockwork Orange
Hobby: Travel and Dogs
Ernie Dalton

Ernie Dalton

Functional skills/ Additional learning support


About Me

I am very pleased and happy to be joining such a positive and happening company such as Apprentify. I feel energised and enthused to be back in education and training, having taken several years out to be a hotelier. For me, education and training empowers and enables individuals to achieve and gain progress in their lives. It opens up opportunities and avenues that previously would not exist. I gain tremendous personal satisfaction in being a part of this positive sometimes life changing process. Away from work I am a Dad to four boys whose ages range from 34 to 4. I am very sporty and football mad, to the point that my wife can't understand why I get so excited when football is on. I enjoy healthy eating(most of the time) watching movies, live music and comedy.

My Favourites
Located: Sunny Blackpool bye the seaside by the sea
Food: Spanish Tapas
Film: Good the bad and the ugly
Hobby: Keeping mind and body healthy, sports, watching painfully at the moment Man Utd, live gigs and shows
James McCracken

James McCracken

CMO


About Me

I have been working in marketing for over 20 years with significant experience of the education and training sector. I love working in this industry as you play a part in helping to change people's lives and giving them opportunities they may have not had before.

My Favourites
Located: Alderley Park
Food: Curry and a cold beer
Film: Shawshank Redemption
Hobby: Football (Stockport County), spending time with the family and travelling
Matthew Bamford

Matthew Bamford

Digital Marketing Executive


About Me

Hi! My name is Matt and I am a Digital Marketing Apprentice here at Apprentify (Yeah, I know, an apprentice at an apprenticeship organisation). You can usually catch me managing our social media accounts, creating newsletters, writing content and watching our analytics grow. I am very excited to see where Apprentify leads me and where this role will take my career. Out of work, I would like to think I am a social butterfly, since I enjoy spending time with my friends, working out and gaming.

My Favourites
Located: Manchester
Food: Steak
Film: Avengers: Infinity War / Endgame
Hobby: Muay Thai
Charles Booth

Charles Booth

Internal Quality Assurance


About Me

I originally started in the Printing and Advertising industry, starting on the shop floor and working my way up as an apprentice, then later began running my own publishing and printing finishing business. After selling my business, I moved into training and assessing to help apprentices adapt to the changing world of marketing; from printing, to websites, to social media campaigns. I joined Apprentify as a Development Coach initially, then two years later moved over into Quality Assurance to help support other coaches and further develop the good work we do.

My Favourites
Located: Cheshire, Congleton
Food: Anything wrapped in shortcrust pastry
Film: 12 Monkeys - A dystopian classic by Terry Gilliam
Hobby: Woodworking, turning and carving; especially chessboards, and anything Urnes Viking style
Aqib  Hussain

Aqib Hussain

Head of Compliance


About Me

I have worked in Compliance and Funding in the Apprenticeship world for over 12 years. I started my career as an apprentice working for a work-based learning provider. Since joining Apprentify my main role is to ensure our data/reporting is accurate and audit checks are in place, across Prime and Subcontracted provision for all funding streams to meet the Education and Skills Funding Agency requirements. Outside of work, I like to travel around the world with my family and I love to drive high-performance cars (petrolhead).

My Favourites
Located: Birmingham
Food: Steak
Film: All Marvel
Hobby: Watching Football, UFC and Boxing
Joanne  Cooper

Joanne Cooper

Adult Skills and Apprenticeship Compliance Officer


About Me

Having worked in the education sector for over 20 years, (primarily Apprenticeships, Adult Education Budget (AEB) and European Social Fund (ESF)), I have progressed to Administration Manager, to Compliance and Projects Manager, and in the last few years as a Business Development Executive. With also being a qualified assessor, I’d like to think I’m familiar with most aspects of Apprenticeships, having once achieved several myself. I have thoroughly enjoyed supporting learners / employers over the years, seeing the rewards they’ve gained from having / being an apprentice, but my passion has always been to try and improve / simplify processes, to make life a little easier for everyone, and less bureaucratic. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to work for Apprentify. Not only is the company focused on its employees work / life balance, they truly have a passion for apprenticeships and supporting / developing learners with their career opportunities. Despite this, if I was to name my biggest achievement in life, it would be the pleasure of becoming a mum to my gorgeous daughter.

My Favourites
Located: Partly office based, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, part home working
Food: Pasta and Chicken / Chocolate
Film: Normally I'd say the Bourne Trilogy, but now it has to be Sing 2 and Encanto
Hobby: Gardening
Nicola Griffiths

Nicola Griffiths

Apprenticeship Compliance & Data Officer


About Me

I have worked for apprenticeship training providers for the past 14 years in various support roles, starting as an apprentice back in 2008. My main duties are compliance checking documentation, ensuring our data is accurate and supporting our employers with the onboarding process. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, going the cinema and visiting different restaurants.


My Favourites
Located: Crewe
Food: Indian
Film: Law Abiding Citizen
Hobby: Eating
Laura Weston

Laura Weston

MIS & Compliance Manager


About Me

I have over 16 years experience in the training industry working for both large and small providers. My background and training history is predominantly in continuous improvement techniques which I look to apply throughout all of my working roles. I am passionate about apprenticeships and the difference this can make in individual lives. I am looking forward to working with Apprentify learners and the digital sector.

My Favourites
Located: Nottinghamshire
Food: Banoffee tart
Film: Intouchables (French film that provides the feel good factor)
Hobby: Playing the bass guitar and repeated attempts at regaining fitness at the gym
We are currently hiring

Fancy a new direction

We are always looking for new people to join the Apprentify team. Reckon you have what it takes to become one of our hard-working staff members?