Meet the Board

As Chairman and founder of Educ8 Training Group, Colin has created a culture that attracts and retains the best staff.

Colin is a serial entrepreneur having previously developed and sold a residential care company to a VCT group that resulted in the creation of Educ8.

He is a firm believer in creating environments for success, enabling others to reach their true potential. He’s also a strategic leader and thinker whose commitment to developing a values-driven ethos and culture is fundamental to his success.

Colin’s commitment to people who share his vision has been reflected through the achievement of various prestigious accolades. These include Investors in People (Platinum) and Educ8 being listed as a 3-star Times Top 100 Best Small Company to Work For, as well as more recently achieving No.1 Best Mid-Sized Company to Work For in the UK.

Grant is CEO of Educ8 Training Group and has more than 20 years’ high-level experience in the work-based learning sector. He is a respected industry leader and a regular contributor to education-focussed features in the media.

Grant has an MBA and is a qualified management professional. He has worked alongside Colin Tucker (Chairman) to successfully grow Educ8 Group into a multi-million pound business and the largest independent training provider in Wales.

With a values-first ethos, Grant has a passion for lifelong learning and recognises the importance of developing staff and helping them reach their full potential. As part of his commitment to people, Grant was instrumental in implementing an Employee Ownership Trust scheme for Educ8 Group.

Grant also plays an active role on a number of influential boards across the country, including Cardiff Capital Regional Employment and Skills, and the National Training Federation for Wales.

As Chief Finance Officer, Steven is responsible for finance and human resources at a strategic level.

Steven has substantial experience in successful business management at CFO/CEO level gained from over 30 years in a variety of highly competitive, commercially driven sectors. This has included technology and telecommunications, automotive lean manufacturing, construction, and professional sport.

His experience has been gained at C-level in business models ranging from large, quoted US multinational corporations to high-growth entrepreneurial owner-managed SMEs and in business transformation strategies, acquisitions, mergers and trade exits.

As Managing Director, Jude has full responsibility for the direction of the company’s operations to ensure it achieves its objectives effectively and efficiently.

An experienced senior manager, Jude has a proven track record of operational and strategic success forged over many years in the education sector where she has specialised in apprenticeships and work-based learning. This includes achieving consistently excellent success rates and creating strong employer engagement relations.

Having worked extensively with FE colleges and independent training providers in England, Jude has invaluable knowledge of the sector. This experience – including as Head of Quality for a specialised provider where her key responsibility was achieving and maintaining an Ofsted Grade 1 for over eight years – means Jude has a deep understanding of the industry and its key players.

Jude has also completed an MBA in strategic leadership at Exeter University.

Ann brings a wealth of expertise on apprenticeships and the value they bring.

As Customer Account Director, Ann is responsible for Educ8’s sales strategy and its implementation. Ann has a pivotal role in accelerating the growth of new business – with a focus on developing strategic relationships and partnerships with businesses, and generating revenue growth across Educ8.

Ann has proven relationship management experience at a senior, strategic level and is an ambassador for lifelong learning as an indispensable tool for every career and organisation.

Having worked extensively with employers and key stakeholders, Ann has invaluable knowledge of the sector. Using this experience, she takes forward Educ8’s plans to further develop their long-term strategic relationships with their customers, working alongside them to support their growth and ambitions through recruitment and training.

Kathryn is the Quality and Compliance Director for the Educ8 and manages an experienced team, who are dedicated to achieving excellence.

While Kathryn has vast experience in leading qualifications, she also specialises in quality assurance and managing a robust and effective quality cycle. She consistently champions trailblazing innovations in engaging teaching, learning and assessment techniques.

Kathryn has moved around various roles in work based Learning in her career, starting out as an apprentice herself, but found her heart lay within quality.

Kathryn is completely immersed in and incredibly passionate about Work Based Learning. Having worked alongside a range of Welsh Government funded programmes, she believes strongly in the benefits both traineeship and apprenticeship programmes can bring, especially in offering a real alternative to FE and HE for young people entering the industry.

As Director of Operations Sharon has full responsibility for the delivery of Educ8’s apprenticeship portfolio, as well as the JGW+ Schemes. The MIS/administration function also sits within her remit.

An experienced senior manager, Sharon has a proven track record of operational and strategic success. This has been forged over many years in the education and manufacturing sectors where she has specialised in work-based learning apprenticeships and safety critical production.

Having worked with training providers and manufacturers in Wales, Sharon has invaluable knowledge of these sectors. This experience includes working as Head of Coaching and Development for a specialised manufacturer delivering key military, medical and transportation contracts for global clients.

As Marketing and Communications Director for Educ8 Training Group, James is responsible for developing its multiple brands – raising awareness of the Group’s services and the overarching benefits of lifelong learning, alongside driving learner and business engagement.

MBA qualified and a CIM professional, James has a strong background in strategic international marketing. With more than 20 years’ experience, James has delivered successful campaigns and digital marketing initiatives and efficiencies across a variety of sectors. These span technology and multi-national media companies to, more recently, several years spent as Marketing Director of an established cancer charity.

Keen to continue working with people-focussed organisations, James joined the Educ8 Group to support its dedication to helping individuals and businesses maximise their potential. James is an unusual combination of being a data-driven professional with a passion for down-to-earth messaging that puts people and their needs first.