Our Board of Trustees:
Dr Anthea Hockly
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Anthea worked in education and workforce development within the NHS for over 20 years retiring as Associate Director for Workforce Development and Learning at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), in 2022. She had a varied career background in science, IT, and secondary education prior to this.
Whilst working as a science teacher she took an MA in Education, and then, following her move to the NHS, achieved a professional doctorate in Workforce Planning. This expertise enabled her to build on the staff development that was already in place at EPUT and build internal development pathways that can take staff through from entry level to registered professional status. Under her leadership she ensured that EPUT fully embraced the opportunities offered by the Apprenticeship Schemes. She worked with local colleges and universities to ensure EPUT staff could access the courses that met their career aspirations within the NHS, whether in clinical or non-clinical professions. In line with personal interests, Anthea worked on developing pre-employment pathways and engaged with initiatives such as Kickstart to offer employment trials to young people who are currently unemployed.
Outside of work, some of her activities have demonstrated her commitment to education and opportunities for all. She has been a School Governor at a local primary school and is an active Mentor for young people engaged with the King’s Trust.
Dr Margaret Joojo-Richards
Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees, Vice-Chair of Finance and General Purposes Committee
Margaret has recently retired as the Head of Adult and Community Education for Hounslow London Borough Council. She has worked in education for adults for over 35 years, starting with teaching English as a Foreign Language, largely English for Business or Special Purposes, in the UK, Japan, Germany and Sweden. Inspired by working with so many speakers of other languages, she indulged her love of linguistic theory by studying for her masters and doctorate in Linguistics at the University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies, specialising in phonology.
Staying in London, she joined the staff of International House for a couple of years, before making the switch to teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages with the WEA London Region. After joining the management team in 2005, she upskilled in maths education and enjoyed teaching and leading Functional Skills maths and English in London workplaces and communities. In 2015, Margaret joined the Adult and Community Education service of Hounslow Council as the Skills for Work and Life department manager, responsible for provision in ESOL, basic skills and vocational areas. She became the Head of Service in March 2020 with her responsibilities expanding further to include Careers Education and Skills and Employment Services in 2024.
Claire Gill
Chair of Quality and Standards Committee
Further and adult education are the golden thread through Claire’s life and work. As a strategic leader and adviser, focussed on education and skills Claire has worked with FE colleges, unions, sector and awarding body representative organisations, and a range of agencies across government. She has led marketing and communications teams, run large-scale research and change programmes, and been responsible for strategic partnerships.
Claire began as a lecturer and then manager in an FE College. It was here that Claire’s interest in the use of technology in learning and teaching began; this was an area on which she then worked nationally, for both Becta and Jisc.
Claire progressed to being Director of Communications and Engagement Director in a range of organisations (including the Education and Training Foundation) with a focus on the development of the FE teaching and leadership workforce.
Most recently Claire was Director of Strategic Engagement for vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) for Ofqual, the qualifications regulator, leading engagement with a broad range of employers, sector stakeholders and the regulated awarding organisations. This included on the regulatory and awarding arrangements for VTQs over the period when assessments were impacted by the Covid pandemic, on the introduction of regulation of end-point assessments of Apprenticeships, and on the introduction of regulations for a range of reformed qualifications including Digital Functional Skills.
Claire now works independently, across education, using the full breadth of her knowledge and experience to support new managers, schools, colleges, and awarding organisations.
Dr Anne Thompson
Chair of Access to HE Committee, Chair of the Governance Committee
Anne Thompson is a long-term member of the Gateway Qualifications Board and its predecessor organisations. She previously represented the further education sector whilst working at Waltham Forest College, London, where she was Vice-Principal Curriculum until 2004.
Her academic discipline is Sociology and she worked for several years as a researcher before doing the PGCE for FE and entering the sector. After starting teaching, she gained an MA in the Sociology of Education from Goldsmiths and then a doctorate from the Institute of Education, London.
She was involved in the creation and delivery of Access to HE courses from the mid-1980s and was the first Coordinator of the North and East London Access Federation which became one of the first AVAs recognised under the scheme introduced by the CNAA and subsequently operated by the QAA.
Whilst working in the FE sector and subsequently she has conducted research and consultancy, specialising in Access to HE and HE in FE, on projects and publications commissioned by educational bodies including BIS, QAA, HEFCE and AoC and, most recently, the GLA reporting on Level 4 and 5 provision in London.
Until 2021 she was co-convenor of the national Learning and Skills Research Network (LSRN).
Paul Whitehead
Chair of Finance and General Purposes Committee, Vice-Chair of the Governance Committee
As Deputy Principal of Harlow College Paul has a wide remit covering many corporate service areas including Finance, MIS and Student Services. Having undertaken a degree in Management with Business Studies at Middlesex University Paul started his career with Harlow College in 2005 supporting learners to find Apprenticeship opportunities across the mid and west Essex partnership. This expanded quickly into leading on projects, partnership management and then most predominantly data management as Head of MIS. Paul then progressed to a Vice-Principal and then subsequently took up the role of Deputy Principal in April 2025.
Dr Leon Annett
Vice-Chair of Quality and Standards Committee, Vice-Chair of Access to HE Committee
Leon leads UK partnerships at the University of Greenwich, focusing on academic collaboration, workforce development, and skills-based initiatives. With over 15 years in education, he has experience across secondary, further, and higher education sectors.
In his previous role as Dean of Higher Education, Leon worked on improving student experiences and enhancing academic programs. He has a background in curriculum development and creating inclusive learning environments that connect education with employment opportunities.
Leon holds a Doctor of Professional Practice and is a Principal Fellow of Advance HE. He has served on educational committees including HEFCW and QAA and participated in various governance and advisory roles related to vocational education and student engagement.
His approach focuses on widening access to education, supporting students in building their futures, and developing strategic and sustainable partnerships.
Richard Brennan
Trustee
Richard has worked in Further Education for nearly 30 years and has held a wide range of roles. Richard is Assistant Principal for Student Experience at Kidderminster College covering Safeguarding, Learner Experience, English and Maths and provision for learners with SEND and has also held roles overseeing provision for Young People, Adults and Apprenticeships.
As an Ofsted Inspector in the West Midlands, Richard has inspected providers across FE and Skills across the region. Richard has also held several senior roles at Pearson Qualifications, developing examinations and overseeing quality assurance for Creative Media qualifications.
Richard has studied Educational Measurement with Durham University at master’s level as well as holding an MA from Birmingham Institute of Art & Design.
Clare Chaffe
Trustee
Clare Chaffe has worked in education and skills development for over 20 years and is currently Assistant Principal at Hull College, where she leads on curriculum innovation, quality improvement, and strategic delivery across a diverse technical and vocational portfolio.
Clare has extensive experience in curriculum design, quality assurance, and the implementation of national reforms. She has worked in close partnership with employers and industry representatives to ensure that programmes are relevant, rigorous, and aligned with labour market needs. Her work has consistently focused on raising standards, improving learner outcomes, and developing pathways that enable young people to progress into meaningful careers.
In her current role, Clare oversees the development of inclusive, future-focused provision for 14–19 and adult learners, ensuring that technical education reflects both regional and national priorities. She has a strong record of leading high-performing teams, embedding robust quality processes, and driving innovation through collaboration with stakeholders and employers.
Alongside her college leadership role, Clare is a Board Trustee and Co-Chair of Governors within the school sector, where she provides strategic oversight and contributes to ensuring high standards of teaching, learning, and inclusion.
Mark Hilton
Trustee
Mark is the Director for Policy Delivery and Membership at BusinessLDN, the leading business membership group which campaigns to make London the best city in the world to do business, working with and for the UK. Mark leads the People Team, which drives the organisation’s work on skills, immigration, employment, inclusion and diversity and education, including running the London Local Skills Improvement Plan, the largest in the country.
He also leads the organisation’s member retention and engagement strategy.
He works to ensure London business has access to the talent it needs, by working with members and stakeholders to lead high profile and integrated policy and campaigning activity, including the successful London Skills Commission as well as the #Full Strength coalition which influenced post-Brexit immigration policy in the UK. He has built an extensive network across business, education, policy and government.
He works closely with the Greater London Authority including his role on the Skills for Londoners Jobs and Skills Business Partnership. He is also a member of the London Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network run by the Department for Education, the Home Office’s Employer Advisory Group and the London Higher Board.
Prior to BusinessLDN, he was a retail property consultant for eight years, developing asset management strategies for blue chip property companies, and spent four years in local government providing policy advice and training programmes to councillors as well as leading on community engagement.
Mark joined BusinessLDN from the Association of Colleges where he ran the London region.
Paul Huggett
Trustee
Paul Huggett is a senior business leader with over 30 years of experience specializing in supplier compliance and assurance, relationship management, operational risk, and organizational change. Currently serving as the UK Managing Director at Hellios Information Limited, Paul is driving the development of the business in multiple sectors and acting as a Third Party Risk thought leader while supporting international expansion.
Prior to joining Hellios, Paul held key leadership positions at Nationwide Building Society, Bank of Ireland, Lloyds Banking Group, and Deutsche Bank where he built and embedded risk frameworks, led transformation programmes, and engaged directly with UK and European regulators. Paul previously held senior internal audit roles, managed large scale transformation portfolios, corporate wide outsourcing programmes, and global technology deployments. He began his career managing front line customer facing operations functions.
Paul holds an MBA from Warwick Business School and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIB). He always looking to develop his skills and is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM). He currently serves as a Non-Financial Risk Advisory Board Member at CefPro.
Gail May
Trustee
Gail has worked in education since 1993 in roles spanning secondary, tertiary and higher education and an FE and schools planning and funding role at the London East Learning and Skills Council.
Gail joined the University of East London in 2006 as Head of Education and Community Partnerships with a remit to widen participation including leading the development and delivery of the University’s access agreements. Promoted to the Director of Civic Engagement and more recently to the Director of the Office for Postgraduates, Research and Engagement Gail has had the opportunity to lead on UEL’s public and community engagement strategy and now heads a team supporting the University’s research and impact strategy.
Gail has served on several school and college governing bodies. She was Chair of Governors at Newham Sixth Form College (NewVIc) between 2015 and 2020 and has a range of experience in school and academy governance, serving currently as the UEL appointed trustee at a University Schools Trust East London.
Gail is a qualified secondary school teacher and has a coaching qualification. Her role at Hammersmith and West London College (as was) included leading on quality assurance for a large programme of franchised provision.
Camilla McCloskey
Trustee
Camilla McCloskey is an accomplished technology and risk management leader with over 15 years’ experience across global financial institutions, including Morgan Stanley, the Bank of England and JPMorgan. Currently serving as International Head of Technology Compliance at Morgan Stanley, Camilla leads on regulatory oversight for the EMEA and Asia regions.
Her expertise spans operational resilience, cybersecurity, and technology governance, with a strong record in establishing second-line oversight frameworks, delivering transformation programmes, and driving strategic risk initiatives. Previously, she held roles shaping technology strategy, service operations, and delivering major regulatory programmes at the Bank of England and JPMorgan.
Camilla holds a BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering Management and professional certifications in ITIL, Prince2 and CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor).
Sammy Shummo
Trustee
Sammy Shummo is a senior leader with nearly two decades of experience in further and higher education, business development, and apprenticeship strategy. He is currently the Group Director of Apprenticeships at London South Bank University (LSBU), where he provides strategic leadership for the design, delivery, and impact of apprenticeship provision across the LSBU Group.
Under his leadership, apprenticeship provision at LSBU and South Bank Colleges (SBC) has grown significantly. Apprentice numbers have increased from just over 1,000 in 2020 to more than 3,400 in 2025, generating income growth from £8 million to nearly over £14 million. This expansion has been matched by improvements in quality and learner success, with Ofsted rating LSBU “Good” overall and “Outstanding” for Personal Development in its most recent inspection.
Sammy has also led LSBU Group to national recognition, with the university ranked in the Top 50 apprenticeship providers in the RateMyApprenticeship Awards for three consecutive years, named Best University for Apprenticeships at the Apprenticeship Guide Awards 2025, and shortlisted at the London Construction Awards 2025 for Apprenticeship Initiative of the Year.
He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of West London and professional certifications in strategic management and leadership. He is also a board member of the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC), where he contributes to shaping national skills and apprenticeship policy.
Beyond his professional role, Sammy is committed to community impact. As a member of the Lambeth Skills and Employment Board, he supports the development of apprenticeship strategies that promote local employment, economic growth, and social mobility.
With a passion for excellence, inclusivity, and innovation, Sammy is dedicated to driving positive change in vocational education and ensuring that apprentices, employers, and communities are empowered to succeed in a rapidly evolving economy.
Simon Willmore
Trustee
Simon Willmore is a trustee who loves helping people use new technology. He served in the Royal Navy and then worked as an engineer in business. Over the last 25 years he has turned technical books into easy online guides and shown organisations how to use smart computer tools like AI.
Simon believes technology only works when it serves people. He thinks that having the chance to learn and grow is an exciting part of life.
He lives in the Cotswolds with his horse-loving family. He drives his wife and two children everywhere, from home to school and back.
Anne Wright
Trustee
Anne has held senior leadership positions in the finance, hospitality and logistics sector before moving to employability and skills in 2003, working for large and multi-national corporate companies during this time.
Joining Workpays in 2014 was a significant change to her career where she worked alongside her business partner to grow Workpays from a micro employer to become a significant and respected independent employability and skills provider, now working to improve the lives of around 4,500 people each year.
Anne’s passion has always been in training and development throughout her extensive career. She is now bringing all of her experience and skills together to continue the growth and development of Workpays, ensuring that it is a catalyst for the changes required as we transition to net zero. A significant part of Anne’s strategy is to ensure that green skills are a priority for continuous development and delivery inclusion for customers, employees and employers, to support the creation of a sustainable world.
Anne has worked closely with the Department for Education and other local government bodies on a number of projects and represented the voice of other training providers as a network director.