Phil Warnock, founder, Ginger Nut Media
Phil is Director and Founder of Ginger Nut Media Ltd, which he launched in 2011. Phil left school at 16 with no education beyond Level 2, and went straight into the world of work.
Ginger Nut Media is a big supporter of apprenticeships, with apprentices at one point making up 51% of all hires. In 2014, the company added a provider arm, Ginger Nut Training, which now trains almost 400 apprentices at some of the largest businesses in the country. Ginger Nut Training was awarded a “good grade” by Ofsted in September 2019 in its first full inspection.
In recognition of his commitment, Phil was asked to become an ambassador for the national apprenticeship scheme and chaired the South East Local Ambassador Network when the apprenticeship levy was being implemented.
During this period, he fed into the launch of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), and regularly spoke at conferences and events, sharing best practices. He has been highlighted as a top 100 apprentice employer on three occasions.
Phil continues to be an ambassador for the national apprenticeship scheme, plus sitting on the creative and design route panel for the IfATE. He is also a UCAS council member.
Phil continues to work with young people in other roles, as a STEM ambassador, as well as a commercial and personal mentor for the Prince’s Trust.
Guest speakers
Rob Macpherson, policy advisor, Children’s Social Care, DfE
Rob joined the Children’s Social Care Group in the Department for Education (DfE) in October 2014 and leads the team responsible for care leaver policy. He led on drafting the 2016 cross-Government care leaver strategy - ‘Keep on Caring’ - and subsequently led on implementing the commitments included in it, including: launching the care leaver covenant, piloting care leaver social impact bonds and piloting Staying Close. Prior to this he worked in a range of policy roles in DfE, including: leading on the Government’s 5-year report to the UN on implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; leading on the Children’s Commissioner reforms in the Children & Families Bill 2014; working on the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy; and developing the Connexions Service. Prior to working in central Government, Rob had 10 years’ experience working in operational posts in the Employment Service in London, latterly as manager of Deptford Jobcentre.
Paul Russell, Policy Adviser, Dfe
Paul currently works on social mobility, diversity and inclusion in apprenticeships, including policy on pay and care leavers. Paul’s previous government work has covered international labour relations, labour market and intellectual property issues for the Department for Work and Pensions and the Intellectual Property Office, as well as skills and employment policy in the Business and Education Departments.
Sky Caves, Social Mobility, Diversity & Inclusion, Apprenticeships Directorate, Dfe
Sky currently works on social mobility, diversity and inclusion in apprenticeships, including policy on care leavers. Before joining the Department for Education Sky worked in a General FE college as a Senior Learning Technologist, and started her career as an apprentice.
Jonny Hoyle
Child Permanence and Family Reunification Development Lead, North Yorkshire Council
Jonny Hoyle is a Care Leaver from North Yorkshire. He is also a Social Worker and Social Work Manager in addition to being a trustee of the advocacy charity Coram Voice and an ambassador for the charity Comfort Cases UK which aims to ensure no child in care moves with their belongings in bin bags.
Jonny has dedicated his career to social work and improving care for all of the children who experience it.