Since joining IC24 in January 2026, I've felt incredibly welcomed. From my very first day, the warmth of the people and the supportive culture stood out. It quickly became clear that IC24 is a place where colleagues genuinely care about one another, and that sense of belonging has made my journey here a very positive one.

One of the key reasons I was attracted to IC24 was its identity as a social enterprise. Inclusion is something I care deeply about, and the organisation's ethos strongly aligns with my own values. I am also passionate about innovation and finding new ways to educate and develop people. IC24's values encourage fresh thinking and continuous improvement, making it an exciting place to work.

As Director of Education, I have the privilege of supporting learning and development opportunities across the organisation. What many people don't know is that my own learning journey is far from traditional. I left school at 16 and took my first job packing boxes in a factory. However, I soon discovered a love of learning and became determined to keep developing myself. Throughout my career, I have continued studying alongside full-time employment. It hasn't always been easy. Balancing work, study and everyday life can be challenging, but it has shaped my belief that everyone should have access to opportunities to learn and grow, regardless of their starting point. That passion continues to drive my work today.

One of the moments that has made me most proud since joining IC24 has been hearing directly from colleagues about what apprenticeships mean to them. Receiving feedback from people who are excited about advancing their careers, building new skills and achieving qualifications is incredibly rewarding. Knowing that our work is helping colleagues realise their potential and pursue opportunities they may never have thought possible is something I am genuinely proud of.

Like many teams, we've faced our share of challenges. One particularly memorable moment came when we launched our leadership development offer through apprenticeships. Just two days later, changes to government funding meant we could no longer proceed in the way we had planned. Naturally, this was concerning and required us to rethink our approach quickly. However, rather than allowing the situation to become a barrier, the team worked hard to find alternative solutions. It reinforced the importance of resilience, adaptability and staying focused on our goals.

IC24 genuinely feels like a family. There is a strong sense of care and support, with colleagues looking out for one another and working together to achieve shared goals. That culture makes a real difference and creates an environment where people can thrive.

Working with my team every day is the most rewarding part of my role. I genuinely feel as though I struck gold. They are a committed and supportive group of people who care deeply about making a difference. Watching them grow, succeed and support each other is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role.

Knowledge. Inspiration. Passion. These three words capture what drives me every day and what I hope to bring to the organisation through education and development.

If there's one thing I'd like people to know, it's that learning can happen at any stage of life. My own journey taught me that there is no single route to success and that opportunities can open up when you least expect them. At IC24, we are committed to creating those opportunities for our colleagues and helping people achieve their ambitions. Being part of that journey is a privilege, and I'm excited about what the future holds!