Why Us

Before starting to work at Raise the Bar I had partnered with them previously in a different role and loved their ethos and passion even back then. They had been very different in their approach to other partners we worked with and worked alongside me to give my clients and delegates a first class experience, so when I was contacted about the role I was immediately interested as I know my values aligned and I felt I could make a difference, never imagining the journey we would go on together over the next few years.

I started with Raise the Bar back in 2019 as a part time Account Manager, I had taken some time away from work over the Summer of 2019 due to personal bereavements and a part time role fitted around what I needed at that time with my family.

In 2020 the Apprenticeship Division of Raise the Bar underwent a lot of change, some linked to Covid, and other areas were linked to improvement plans that we had put in place. Early in 2020 I went up to 4 days a week and finished the year full time, during that time the team expanded and changed too.

My role changed from Account Manager to Apprenticeship Operations manager and a leadership team was put in place within Apprenticeships that I led. I am now Head of Apprenticeships and on our Executive Board within Raise the Bar and our team has gone from strength to strength with some difficulties along the way but coming out stronger every time.

My team are amazing, we jokingly refer to ourselves as the “Dream Team” but for me that couldn’t be more accurate, every single member of the team adds value, ideas, challenges, cares and supports each other and there is nothing more that I could ask of them. They have helped me become a better manager as I hope I have developed & impacted them.

Shaun works closely with our clients to understand their requirements, and develop and implement high quality Raise the Bar leadership and management development and learning solutions, including Levy funded apprenticeships.

Shaun has enjoyed a career working at senior level leader in multiple blue chip organisations and across sectors including financial services, engineering, manufacturing, energy, defence, automotive, emergency services and outsourcing. Specialising in learning and talent consultancy and needs analysis, he was previously a Director at a £1Bn turnover Global training provider overseeing the design, set-up and management of outsourced learning and apprenticeship contracts.

Ian has wide experience spanning over 36 years in all aspects of further education and across provider types. He is a former Ofsted Senior Her Majesty’s Inspector (SHMI)and has 20 years recent experience in inspection, having worked as a senior manager for the Adult Learning Inspectorate. Ian has managed a national quality improvement service and has experience of managing education programmes for young people, apprenticeships, community learning and adult skills provisions. Currently, Ian is working as a consultant and advisor in the Further Education sector, supporting colleges and independent providers. He is non-executive director of a number of ILPs.