Diploma Employer Champions Network

To ensure that employers get a clear understanding of the 14-19 Diploma benefits and opportunities, the Diploma Employers Champions’ Network (DECN) made up of national employers, public sector representatives and small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) has been set up to encourage and support further long-term employer involvement in Diplomas.

The Network is led by Sir Alan Jones of Toyota and consists of volunteer champions from a full range of employers across the English regions, including companies such as Vodafone, BT, Nsure, Hyatt Regency, CB&I, Compass Group and Rolls Royce. The Champions are passionate supporters of the Diploma; they undertake promotional activities, for example in the media or conference speaking, and also help channel employers' views to government. At national and regional level the DECN works with a variety of networks to support high quality employers/education links.

We are proud to have the following Employer Champions representing the Diploma in Public Services

 

Name, title Company Region
Christine (Chris) Mayer, Chief Executive Her Majesty's Courts Service London
Andrew Cozens CBE, Strategic Adviser, Children Adults & Health Services Improvement and Development Agency for local government National
Lt Col Nick Maher Ministry of Defence London
Mark Rowley, ACPO Surrey Police South East
Jonathan Blackie, Regional Director Government Office for the North East North East
Derek Headridge, VT Academies Dean VT Plc South East
David Bell, Permanent Secretary Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) London
Helen Cockshott, Head of Accreditation & Cross Government Services Department of Work and Pensions London
Mike Harrison, Head of Qualifications HMPS / NOMS London
Chris Bigland London Fire Services London
Simon Day, Consultant ISOS Partnership London
Andrew Limb, Deputy Director Places, Performance and Partnerships East of England
Ruth Martin Self-employed educational consultant West Midlands
Simon Walsh, Sales and Marketing Director Shp Ltd North West
Colin Carmichael, Chief Executive Canterbury City Council South East
Lynda Austin, Midland Health Academy Project Manager Heart of Birmingham PCT West Midlands
Sarah Ridgway Specialist Schools and Academies Trust London
Nicole Arthur, Personnel Officer Gravesham Borough Council South East
Jackie Bowles, Senior Personnel Officer Gravesham Borough Council South East
Denise Gould Gravesham Borough Council South East
Chris Dawes Gravesham Borough Council South East
Sue Evans, Head of Learning & Organisational Development Warwickshire County Council West Midlands
Colin Diamond, Director of Children & Learners Government Office for the South West South West
Shirley Way, CareMatch Business Development Manager Staffordshire Social Care Workforce Partnership West Midlands
Gail Ellis, Widening Participation Coordinator NHS Walsall Community Health West Midlands
Beryl Randall, Director Employability Forum London & South East

 

A full list of DECN members and further information can be found here|.

An information flyer can be found here.

If you are an employer who wants to find out how to get involved or join the Champions, please contact Victoria Seffens|