Meet Our Trustees
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.
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.
Elaine Beattie
Elaine has over 30 years teaching experience in a variety of educational settings around the country, including mainstream, special schools, PRUs and a secure children's home. She currently works for Red Balloon Educational Trust, a national charity, offering education, therapy and community to children and young people who have experienced bullying, isolation and trauma. She teaches English, and leads Personal, Social and Health Education, and Online Community departments.
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We provide training courses and support services for the local community.