Senior Management Team

Heather Akehurst OBE
Heather Akehurst OBE

I am passionate about ‘changing lives through learning’.

Chief Executive
Richard Spencer
Richard Spencer

No two days are the same, but every day I'm aware that my work has a positive impact on learners.

Director of Quality and Data
Anita Till
Anita Till

I love working with such innovative and adaptable colleagues and ultimately we really care about the learners achievements.

Director of Finance and Resources
Nina Hinton
Nina Hinton

There is no 'right way' when it comes to learning, and I love that we are creative and aspirational in our approach for all our learners.

Director of Business and Development
Paul Henderson-Griffiths
Paul Henderson-Griffiths

I have a real passion for helping people achieve their goals and meaningful qualifications.

Director of Service Delivery
Robin Jackson
Robin Jackson

We always put the learner first and we are committed to learning and development.

Director of Assessment

Quality Team

Clare Filipowicz
Clare Filipowicz

Every achievement we certify is a story of growth and determination. It’s an honour to contribute to a culture that values inclusivity, innovation, and real-world impact.

Pharmacy Quality Assurer
Carla Hodgkinson
Carla Hodgkinson

I am delighted to re-join the Open Awards family and cannot wait to get stuck into developing new and exciting qualifications.

Quality and Standards Advisor
Pete Moss
Pete Moss

I am proud to work for Open Awards as the organisation is committed to supporting educational achievement for all.

EQA Officer
Kay Taylor
Kay Taylor

I particularly enjoy being able to support Providers as I understand the demands of their roles as I have been in their shoes.

EQA for Functional Skills Qualifications
Teresa Wilson
Teresa Wilson

It is incredibly rewarding to be a part of creating inclusive and accessible learning opportunities for our learners.

Quality and Standards Advisor
Maria Karsa
Maria Karsa

I enjoy the opportunity to engage and support a wide range of providers ensuring that learners can develop and progress.

Quality and Standards Advisor
Shannon Appleton
Shannon Appleton

Knowing you’re helping lives makes the working day feel a lot more successful.

Quality Assurance Officer
Andrew Bardsley
Andrew Bardsley

Open Awards philosophy is first class and promotes positive outcomes through its core values .

Head of Quality

Assessment Delivery Team

Claire Hodges
Claire Hodges
Assessment Delivery Coordinator
Matthew Hunter
Matthew Hunter

I am fortunate to play a daily role in assisting our learner’s progression in Functional Skills and End-point Assessment qualifications.

Assessment Delivery Coordinator
Steven Gowing
Steven Gowing

As a charity, we always ensure that what we deliver aligns to our values.

Assessment Delivery Manager

Operational Team

Ruth Crane
Ruth Crane

I am delighted to be a member of the Open Awards team and am passionate about their inclusive practices to ensure education for all.

Access to HE Development Officer
Charlie McAlinden
Charlie McAlinden
Senior Administrator
Claire McKeown
Claire McKeown

No two days are the same, each day throws out a new problem to solve, which certainly keeps life interesting!

Remote Invigilator
Grant Clark
Grant Clark

Working closely with providers and learners I get to hear the positive impact that we have in helping learners on their journey.

Senior Administrator
Emma Kettle
Emma Kettle

I am especially proud of the inclusivity that our range of qualifications offers to providers and learners.

Customer Service and Training Advisor
Adam Kong
Adam Kong

I am proud that we support educational achievement for all learners, especially those with special needs.

Administrator
Annette Summers
Annette Summers

Being able to see learners gaining their qualifications and move onto either HE or employment is simply amazing.

Administrator
Michael Perry
Michael Perry

I work with a great team of people I can rely on and trust, along with enjoying my work in helping people get their qualifications.

Administrator
Paula Roberts
Paula Roberts

I am proud to work for Open Awards as I firmly believe in our mission statement to provide education and training to all.

Administrator
Jane Drummond
Jane Drummond

We come together as one big family to support each other in meeting our service standards and provide education to all. 

Customer Service and Training Advisor
Magdalena Parker
Magdalena Parker

I believe in what we do to enrich the learners’ education, how we work and how we promote our values outside of work.

Operational Team Leader
Peter Tidswell
Peter Tidswell

The most enjoyable and rewarding part of my role is knowing that I have an active involvement in learners’ careers.

Remote Invigilator

Business Development Team

Sarah Clark
Sarah Clark
Product Development Officer
Geraint Turner
Geraint Turner

I’m proud to work for Open Awards because we’re shaping education that works for everyone. Knowing that our qualifications help people build confidence, skills and new opportunities makes the work truly worthwhile.

Business Development Manager (Wales)
Dr Sam Ballington
Dr Sam Ballington
Head of Product Development
Annette Edmondson
Annette Edmondson

As a parent of a young person who needed a flexible approach to thrive in his education, supporting achievement for all is important to me.

Business Development Officer
Jessica O'Rourke
Jessica O'Rourke

It’s very rewarding to develop products for our learners, enabling them to achieve their goals.

Product Development Officer
Jennifer Kehlenbeck
Jennifer Kehlenbeck

Our training isn’t just certificates or tick-box exercises, it’s actionable, meaningful and demonstratable.

Marketing Manager
Vicky McClymont
Vicky McClymont

My passion lies in the belief that enhancing access and widening participation is essential to social mobility.

Marketing and Access to HE Development Manager
Irene Oliver
Irene Oliver

Open Awards and all its employees put the learner at the heart of everything they do.

Product Development Manager (Qualifications and Assessments)
Abigail Black
Abigail Black

Hearing all about how our products can help learners achieve their goals inspires me every day!

Business Development Officer
Teri Greaves
Teri Greaves

As a not-for-profit, I know that the services we offer are developed in the best interest of the learners and providers.

Business Development Manager

Data, Finance and Resources Team

Joshua Ion
Joshua Ion

I’m proud to work as a Data and MIS officer as it allows me to support meaningful education initiatives, ensure data integrity and help drive informed decisions that positively impact leaners futures.

MIS and Data Officer
Vanessa Coombes
Vanessa Coombes

I’m proud to contribute to the ongoing growth of Open Awards, and I really enjoy the collaborative environment we have.

Finance and Resources Manager
Oleena Beegum
Oleena Beegum

I appreciate the organisation’s commitment to values such as equality, diversity, openness, integrity, professionalism, and family.

Finance and Resources Administrator
Jennie Rossiter
Jennie Rossiter

I take great pride in ensuring that the data that represents Open Awards is factual and accurate.

Database and MIS Manager

Job Vacancies

Could you help us in our mission to change lives through learning? Are you interested in joining the Open Awards team?

Take a look at our current vacancies by clicking below.

Six smiling people are gathered in front of a decorated Christmas tree in an office setting. In the back row from left to right, a man in a red Santa Claus sweater, a man in a navy blue jacket, and a woman in a red "Bah Humbug" sweater are standing. In the front row from left to right, a woman in a white "Jingle All The Way" sweater, a man in a black hooded sweatshirt and glasses, and an older woman in a light blue patterned sweater are seated. The senior management team standing in front of a Christmas tree. Top row: Richard Spencer, Robin Jackson, Nina Hinton. Second row: Anita Till, Paul Henderson-Griffiths and Heather Akehurst OBE