OUR TEAM
The North East Learning Provider Network is a non-profit organisation and is governed by a board of trustees. Our management group, comprising of senior members of staff from our membership, helps shape the direction of the network. The group is built up of senior leaders from our members. Trustees and members of the management group support NELP on a voluntary basis.
MEMBER SUPPORT

NELP Chair and Executive Officer
Andrew Cumiskey
Andrew is the main point of contact for existing and new members. He represents NELP members in several forums including the North East LEP Skills Advisory Panel. Andrew has over 15 years experience in Training, Learning and Development. Having worked for both independent training providers and led multi-national corporate training departments, he is an experienced leader and is the founder of north east based ATC Training. He also supports two organisations as a Trustee/Non-Executive Director in addition to his role at NELP.
TRUSTEES

Mike Johnson
Trustee
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Sharon Stainsby- Thompson
Director at Stainsby Education Solutions Ltd.
An experienced and innovative Board member, Non-Exec Director, CMI Manager, Ofsted Nominee, level 5 specialist teacher, Safeguarding Trainer, Policy writer and qualified EPA, IQA and Assessor, Bid writer and Coach with a heart and background in service delivery and quality. I am driven by strong personal values that encompass people development, service quality and commercial delivery. A pragmatist and innovative- genuinely inspires others to follow. A successful leader with experience of start-ups and rapid growth environments as well as charitable and public sectors including ESFA, ESF, DWP and devolved contract management. A commitment to help others achieve their full potential whether in business or education including sourcing procurement opportunities, bid writing, due diligence and facilitating partnerships to achieve growth.

Denise WIlson
Trustee
Denise trained as a teacher before working for Springboard Sunderland Trust in 1978 becoming Trust Secretary (CEO) in 2002 until her retirement in 2017, acting as Nominee for 5 successful inspections. She became an Associate Inspector for the Adult Learning Inspectorate specialising in Foundation Skills and for many years was Treasurer of NELP. She is currently Executive Officer of the Sunderland City Provider Network, having been Chair for many years, supporting employment and skills development in the City. Denise is a School Governor and a Trustee of Springboard and the Cultural Spring Charity.

David Baker
Trustee
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Steve Reay
CEO, Springboard Sunderland
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Emma Barrett-Peel
Chief Operating Officer, Learning Curve Group
Emma has 20+ years’ of experience within the education sector and is the latest addition to our board of trustees. Emma has developed her impressive career from being an assessor, to teaching apprentices, and into quality management roles. Emma also served as an HMI for Ofsted and is now the COO of one of our long-standing members, Learning Curve Group.
MANAGEMENT GROUP

Head of Business Development, Seta
Karen Routledge
Karen has been involved in STEM teaching and support for over 30 years starting with leading Sunderland Council's Study Support Team, progressing into her own education consultancy which she ran for 12 years before then leading to the Business Development function for Apprenticeships at both Rolls-Royce Training Centre and now at Seta.

Managing Director, Access Training Limited
David Armstrong
David is a Chartered Accountant and has been in the FE Industry for 12 years. Son of former NELP Chair and Access Training owner Malcolm Armstrong, David is been Managing Director of Access Training since 2020. David is a keen believer in the strength and value of local providers working together in collaboration and that NELP is a vital tool in achieving this.

CEO, B-Skill Limited
Paul Wileman
Paul Wileman is the founder and CEO of B-Skill Limited, a national training provider based in the Northeast of England. As a director of Northern Skills Network and management member of Northeast Learning Provider Network Paul is also an active advocate for Independent Training Providers. In his spare time, Paul enjoys capturing wildlife photography which reflects his passion for the natural environment and sustainability issues.

Apprenticeships Quality Manager, NCG
Ross Radford
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Head of Operations, Barnardo’s Employment, Training & Skills
Geoff Mount
Geoff has worked in skills and training for over 33 years. Over this period he has had a number of roles from trainer through to his current Head of Operations post at Barnardo’s; leading organisations employment, training & skills provision in the north of England. Geoff previously chaired the NE Learning Provider Network up to 2021. Geoff is delighted to once again join the management group.

Tssss
TBC
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TRUSTEES