Speakers

	Karen Adriaanse Senior Inspector Ofsted Karen has been a full-time inspector since 1999, having previously worked for the Adult Learning Inspectorate and the Training Standards Council. She is Ofsted’s National Adviser for Careers Guidance Employability, covering both education and learning and skills. She also inspects in colleges, local authorities, independent providers, prisons and probation trusts, having taught and managed in these contexts for 20 years. Her specialist areas are literacy, numeracy, ESOL and employability. She has been involved in developing inspection frameworks and methodology for learning and skills in all three inspectorates and in 2003, she was seconded to the South African government to advise on its post-16 vocational training and education curriculum.

	Kathleen Collett City & Guild Centre for Skills Development Awaiting Information

	Roger Francis Business Development Director Creative Learning Partners Ltd AELP Chair. I am the Business Development Director and a Founding Partner in Creative Learning Partners, a new work-based learning provider specialising in the delivery of Functional Skills and using a model which blends the use of technology with a team of field-based Learning Support Partners. Previously, I was Director of Services and HR for Mindleaders for 9 years where I was responsible for the development and implementation of a range of technology-enhanced learning solutions including Functional Skills. I am a huge advocate of the power of Social Media in learning. I tweet avidly (@clpartners21) and writes a regular blog (http://rogerfrancis.wordpress.com/) on Functional Skills and related subjects. Prior to joining MindLeaders, I was a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology at Sunderland University and spent 12 years in senior management roles at Whitbread, largely in Operations but latterly as a divisional Strategy and Marketing Director.

	Gary Haynes Qualifications Team Manager OCR I am a Qualifications Team Manager in the Skills & Employment area of OCR, and manage a team of Qualification Managers and Leaders. The team has overall responsibility for a wide range of qualifications including Progression maths and English, Functional Skills, Key Skills, Basic Skills and Essential Skills Wales. The team is involved in all aspects of a qualification, from development and implementation through to customer support. My previous experience as a teacher in vocational education has given me a sound base from which to understand the challenges the vocational sector now faces. As a result, my focus in my current role is always on developing and supporting solutions to help vocational education grow and perform in difficult times.

	Stella Turner Head of Qualifications and Delivery Association of Employment and Learning Providers Stella is responsible for keeping a ‘watching brief’ on matters related to qualifications and curriculum development. She represents AELP on groups such as the Skills Funding Agency’s Qualifications Approvals and Governance Group and the BIS Vocational Qualifications Forum plus various Awarding Organisation Consultative Committees. Since joining AELP Stella has managed a number of projects, including work related to the Qualification Credit Framework (QCF) Readiness Programme, Functional Skills Support, Unit Delivery Trials, the review of FE Teaching and Training Qualifications and the promotion of Higher Level Skills. More recently she has taken on responsibility for overseeing and managing work allocations within AELP’s delivery team. Stella has always worked in the education and training sector and has over 10 years experience of working for a work based learning provider. As a Senior Training Manager for a large training provider in Bristol, she was responsible for a team of ten, overseeing and contributing to the design and delivery of a range of both government funded and commercial programmes including IT courses, Apprenticeships and NVQs in a variety of occupational areas. Prior to joining AELP Stella worked for the Awarding Body OCR as a Customer Support Manager. This role involved working with local authorities, schools, colleges and training providers providing information and guidance on qualifications and government reforms.