MY CV
Education, Work, and Training
I am highly qualified with a Certificate in Education, a bachelor’s degree in Education and Training and a master’s degree in Culinary Arts Management. I also have qualifications in Educational Leadership and Management and Teaching and Learning Observations. I am an Honorary Member of City and Guilds, a Fellow of the International Institute of Hospitality Management and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I have considerable leadership and management experience and a history of success across a variety of teaching and leadership roles in both the further education (FE) and higher education (HE) sectors. I sit on many advisory panels and associations including the route panel for Hospitality and Catering for the Institute for Apprenticeships and Tecnical Edcuation. I am also an Academicain of the Roayal Academy of Culinary Arts, where I sit on the Education Committee, and a Disciple of Escoffier
Lead Instructor – Culinary Psychology
Harvard University, USA
January 2021 - Present
Co-creator and delivery leader for the programme (teaching virtually one day per week):
Leading on all aspects of curriculum design and content. Implementing teaching and learning assessment strategies. Coordinating a small team of assistant teachers.
Assistant Principal: Higher Education.
Sparsholt College, Hampshire
November 2021 - July 2023
In this role, I oversaw the delivery of Foundation, Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees, in addition to several higher level apprenticeship programmes, an Access to Higher Education (HE) programme and an independent professional programme.
I focussed on the development of future provision to ensure it was student focused and industry relevant. I drove academic excellence through the delivery of high-quality teaching and learning alongside an outstanding student experience.
Director of Education
Red Cherry PR, UK / The Chefs' Forum
January 2021 - November 2021
Director of 5 Academies operating in Further Education (FE) Colleges within the UK: (London, Manchester, Bath, Pembrokeshire and Gwent)
Establishment of further academies throughout the UK on a geographical /regional basis.
Development of bespoke training and development (CPD) for college and university lecturers.
Supporting FE colleges and universities with consultancy including quality improvement, curriculum development, preparing for Ofsted EIF, new build projects, international recruitment, etc.
Dean of the College of Food and Hospitality Management
University College Birmingham
November 2010 - December 2020
Providing strategic leadership for the school, setting the vision, and overseeing its development in alignment with strategy and objectives.
Driving the school’s student recruitment, teaching, quality monitoring, curriculum development, student experience and digital development.
Developing innovative and flexible approaches to the curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment, utilising digital and face to face solutions to improve students’ learning and experience.
Achieved significant growth and a decade of unprecedented success, including an Outstading Ofsted inspection outcome, five Toque d'or crowns, and hundreds of other competition sucessses.
Head of Centre – Hospitality and Food Studies
Colchester Institute
August 2003 - July 2010
Achieved excellent outcomes for learners. Inspected as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, the first and only outstanding grade in the history of the College. Awarded Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) status.
Grew student numbers significantly to year groups of 100+ students, the highest recruitment numbers outside London and Birmingham.
Awarded a Certificate in Recognition of Excellence from the National Skills Academy for Hospitality, presented at the House of Commons
Asked to become a representative on advisory committee for hospitality and tourism to the UK government (DCMS) between 2007 and 2009.
Programme Manager / Head of School / Quality Manager
Redbridge College, London
September 1999 - July 2003
Initially programme management responsibility for hospitality and catering provision.
After 2 years, promoted to Head of School for Service Industries with management responsibility for staff and students on programmes covering hospitality and catering, hairdressing, beauty therapy, travel and tourism and sport.
Progressed to a College-wide role as Quality Manager with the remit to make significant improvements across many curriculum areas of the college prior to an Ofsted inspection
Lecturer
South East Essex College
February 1994 - August 1999
Teaching across programmes, initilly in hospitality and catering and later to include travel and tourism, business studies and sport. Course tutor and mentor to assigned groups
Curriculum development – for example, NVQs were introduced and GNVQs replaced BTEC National qualifications. Development of HND programmes in Business in partnership with the University of Greenwich
Progressed to course-team leader for the Advanced GNVQ in Hospitality, leading various year groups and colleagues towards successful outcomes for learners. Responsible for the effective delivery of assigned programmes and outcomes for students.
Various positions as a chef/chef patron in industry, across France (Hotel de Paris), London (The Capital Hotel), the New Forest and USA.
March 1987 - January 1994
During this time, I was able to put my learning and development into practice, developing and refining my abilities in the leadership and management of staff.
In a period where my skills and experience widened as a chef, I was also able to develop further competencies including supervisory and management development, operational delivery, costing, budgeting and financial management and the significance of providing an excellent customer service and experience.
I focussed on the achievement of financial targets and growth and the development of strategic planning across operations, both large and small. It was an enjoyable period of my career, winning many accolades, working across cultures, in different countries and learning the significance of skills, knowledge and behavioural development.