Ray Snowdon (Chair of trustees)
Ray has spent his working life in and around IT, education and skills whether that’s working in the IT industry itself, as a university lecturer, working in both regional and national roles with the Sector Skills Council network, leading regional education projects, working in the IT certification industry and currently in digital apprenticeships. Ray was a Trustee of One Awards (formerly the Open College Network North East Region) for 7 years - the last 4 years as Chair. Outside of his IT and education interests, Ray’s passion is music, whether that’s going to gigs or playing live.
Matthew Hall (Secretary)
Matthew has worked as an economic development professional for thirteen years. For a number of those years, he worked on a range of projects that supported individuals to identify and overcome barriers to employment, find and apply for sustainable work and break the chain of multi-generational unemployment within families. In addition, he has managed council-run business centres that are home to tech and digital sector businesses; supporting the sectors emergence in the North East. Throughout this time, he worked closely with a high number of business start-ups and established SME's; providing advice and guidance, provision and management of facilities and space to thrive and access to expertise and opportunities.
Emma Agar
Emma has worked for over 20 years in the social care sector specialising in learning disability, autism and physical disability.Emma currently works as a regional manager for a national charity - United Response who provide support for adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health.Emma is passionate about an ensuring equal opportunity for everyone. In her spare time Emma is a keen runner and likes to walk.
Stephen Durrant
Stephen is semi-retired after over 40 years in Programme Management and Business Consulting for companies such as HMRC, DWP, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Cap Gemini before running his own consulting business on outsourcing and cost reduction. He has also managed the Newcastle Education Business Partnership working with schools raise standards in numeracy and literacy; and personal and employability skills through Young Enterprise, NVQ and GNVQ schemes and Teacher Placements into Industry and Employer volunteers into Schools. Outside work, Stephen volunteers for charities and in football including interim Chairman of Brandon United FC and Joint Manager of men’s teams in the Northern League; and women’s teams in the FA National Leagues.
Jonathan Eaton
Jonathan is passionate about the power of education to transform lives and communities. He has worked as a lecturer, manager and senior manager in FE and HE. He is currently Director of Student Learning & Academic Registry at Teesside University, with responsibilities including oversight of learning and teaching enhancement, digital transformation and quality assurance. Jonathan has led a range of externally funded projects and driven a number of strategic transformation initiatives. He is a published author and speaks regularly at national conferences on educational topics.
Caz Thompson
Studied event Management to degree level as a mature student before moving into community development work in Ashington and Blyth. I have experience as a Trustee having worked with 2 charities, as well as being part of the Management Committee of 3 other organisations. I am passionate about removing the stigma around mental health and helping those people who can't always get the support they need. I am a passionate advocate of people within a community being at the heart of that community's activities.
