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Sub Directorate Deputy Chief Executive Officer Principal Sub Departments

Work-based Learning (WBL) and Employer Engagement Directorate

Meet our senior leadership team. Our leadership team is made up of our Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive – Chief Operating Officer, Deputy Chief Executive – People Experiences & Culture, Deputy Chief Executive – Principal and Senior Managers.

Together, they lead the college to achieve our strategic vision. They’re extremely passionate about the role of education, training and skills as drivers of economic development and social justice in North East Wales.

Gari Thomas
Employer Engagement Manager

Gari joined Cambria in 2024, bringing extensive experience from the public sector. Previously, Gari served as Economic & Business Development Lead for a Local Authority (LA) in North Wales and Key Account Manager for a LA in the Liverpool City Region. Skilled in building strong relationships with employers and stakeholders, Gari has successfully delivered projects that drive growth and positively impact local economies and communities. Passionate about fostering collaboration, Gari is committed to working alongside business to create opportunities for skills development and prosperity.

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HE & Access Directorate

Gemma Ible
Curriculum Director - Access & HE

Gemma joined Coleg Cambria in 2013 as a Lecturer in Health and Social Care after moving back to North Wales. In 2014 Gemma moved across to the Access to HE department delivering sociology and healthcare. When a management opportunity arose in January 2020 Gemma was successfully appointed. She is a former A Level student at the College and is passionate about the role the College plays in providing education to the local area.

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Donna Pritchard
Higher Education Compliance Manager

Donna joined Coleg Cambria in January 2004 working as Admin Manager until 2018. Prior to this, Donna worked in pensions, HR, manufacturing and distribution for 14 years. Thanks to this, she has extensive experience of leading complex projects, developing systems and providing support services. She has worked within the College’s University Centre since 2018 with responsibility for Student Voice and ensuring the University Centre quality standards are exceeded.

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Academic Studies Directorate

Rob Hughes
Curriculum Director - Deeside 6th

Rob joined Coleg Cambria in August 2016 as a lecturer in Geography. Prior to this, he was Head of Humanities at a feeder school for 10 years. With over 20 years teaching experience Rob has led on curriculum developments and strategies to improve teaching and learning creating a positive learning environment. Rob still keeps one foot in the classroom, teaching A Level Geography.

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Academic Studies Directorate

Mel Henry
Curriculum Director - Yale 6th

Mel joined Coleg Cambria in November 2010 as a lecturer in Business after moving back to North Wales. Prior to this Mel was a senior manager in the retail sector. After 4 years as Curriculum Lead for Yale 6th, Mel was successfully appointed as Curriculum Director. She specialises in teaching and learning strategies at A level and student enrichment. Mel is passionate about the role Yale 6th plays in supporting and challenging students in realising their potential.

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Institute of Technology Directorate

Nick Povey
Curriculum Director - Construction

Nick is Curriculum Director for Construction at Bersham Road and has over 25 years of experience in the construction industry. Nick has been part of every task imaginable in the building process. He started out as Instructor Demonstrator within the Plastering department at Bersham Road and then with more involvement and dedication honed his skills as a Plastering Lecturer. He uses these years of hands-on experience to now manage the Construction department.

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Carl Roberts
Curriculum Director - Engineering

Carl took up the role of Curriculum Director for Engineering at the Bersham Road site during the summer of 2020. Prior to this, Carl worked within the education sector for 15 years. Growing up locally, Carl has progressed from an apprentice to Master Technician before achieving the post of Lecturer. From this position, he has aspired to lead a successful team like the one found at the Engineering Department in Bersham Road.

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Darren Pleavin
Curriculum Director - Construction

Darren’s journey began with a Level 2 Joinery course at Coleg Cambria in 2011, sparking a profound love for construction. He went on to pursue a Degree in Architectural Design and Technology, gaining crucial experience in a local Architectural Company. Returning to Coleg Cambria in 2016 as an Instructor Demonstrator, he steadily advanced to the role of lecturer, specialising in HE Technical Construction. Selected for the Coleg Cambria Aspiring Leaders program, Darren’s path culminated in his appointment as Curriculum Director in 2022. Overcoming challenges posed by dyslexia, Coleg Cambria provided an environment for him to excel, leveraging his strengths. Committed to equal opportunities, Darren works to ensure every student thrives.

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Paul Hughes
Curriculum Director - Digital Technologies (HE, FE & WBL)

Paul joined Coleg Cambria in September 2018, as a Lecturer in Industry for computing technologies. With 21 years experience, he has taught computing and business subjects up to Foundation Degree level. Paul has also managed IT and Telecommunications within industry and project managed business development, digital marketing and corporate expansion. Paul has a masters degree in Management and Digital Business and a degree in Business Information Systems.

Institute of Technology Directorate

Vacancy
Curriculum Director - Construction & Engineering - Deeside

Carl joined the College in August 2000 as a Lecturer in the Motor Vehicle department. In August 2015 he became the Curriculum Director for Engineering and Construction. Carl works closely with industry across North Wales and in England to meet any training requirements. He prides himself on delivering excellent up to date training in all aspects of engineering and construction ensuring all learners have the best possible experience whilst at Coleg Cambria.

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Dan Jones
Curriculum Director – Advanced
Engineering

Dan joined Coleg Cambria in 2020 as a Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, before being appointed Curriculum Director of Advanced Engineering in 2023. Dan brings a wealth of experience in electrical engineering and management, having joined us directly from an engineering manager’s role in the industrial manufacturing sector. A proud veteran with over 22 years service as a Control Engineer in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Dan is driven to ensure that learners of all engineering disciplines are appropriately prepared with the strong technical skills required by the future workforce.

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Jamie Mapp-Jones
Curriculum Director - Full-Time Apprenticeships

Jamie joined Coleg Cambria in August 2016 as a Technical Training Officer for Aeronautical Engineering, before becoming Deputy Director for Apprentice Programmes in 2019, and then Curriculum Director in 2020. He completed his craft apprenticeship with Airbus and had a long-established career there before moving to Coleg Cambria. His career has given him extensive knowledge of the aeronautical industry, apprenticeships, managing teams in high-pressure situations, and most importantly team-ethic.

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Foundation Learning ILS & Traineeships

David Garratt
Curriculum Director - Foundation Learning - Bersham
& Jobs Growth Wales+ -
Yale

Dave joined the College in 2013 as a Technician mixing mortar for the Brickwork dept after gaining a job as a mature learner and immediately developed a passion for Education, specifically lower level learners. Dave has been a Curriculum Director for 6 years and manages all Entry, Level 1 and School Link programmes at Bersham Road and has recently acquired the position of Curriculum Director for Jobs Growth Wales Plus, Wrexham. Dave is keen to enhance all Foundation Learning and JGW+ programmes through embedding enrichment into the Curriculum whilst fostering an inclusive learning environment. Dave’s experience throughout his own life and the teaching of the lower level learners, helped develop his passion for supporting challenging, disadvantaged and disengaged learners reach their full potential at Coleg Cambria.

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Ceri Noble
Curriculum Director - Foundation Learning -
Deeside

Ceri has over 20 years experience in the health and social care industry as a practitioner, assessor & trainer. Ceri has worked at Coleg Cambria for 6 years as a Lecturer and was appointed interim Deputy Director for Health and Care in January. Ceri has now moved across to the Foundation Skills area as Curriculum Director where her passion for the development of students is her key priority to support progression.

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Jo Green
Curriculum Director - Foundation Learning & ILS - Northop

Jo has worked at the College’s site in Northop for over 20 years and has an extensive background of working with ILS and Foundation Skills learners. Within the last 10 years she developed Foundation land-based courses, specialising in behaviour management techniques to support young people and nurturing potential. Jo is also a trained mental health first aider for the Northop site.

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Sonia Cheetham Reeves
Curriculum Director - Foundation Learning
Yale

Sonia joined Coleg Cambria in 2018 as a Progress Coach supporting our most vulnerable learners in Wrexham. Sonia then moved back into a lecturing role working with NEETs on our JGW+ programme and Foundation Skills. Sonia’s background in Creative Arts meant she was able to create innovative programmes that met the needs of the most disengaged learners. In 2021 Sonia became Curriculum Lead in Foundation Learning, at Yale, and was quickly promoted to cover the interim Curriculum Director role. In 2022, Sonia became the full-time Curriculum Director for Foundation Learning at Yale where she is now able to pass on her passion to her team for creating and delivering a learner-centred curriculum.

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Skills

Jill Price
Curriculum Director - Skills - Deeside, Northop & Llysfasi

Jill has worked in Cambria for over 25 years and has extensive vocational experience as well as lecturing for over 16 years, mainly in the Sport and Public Services sector. She was awarded PGCE Teacher of the Year in 2011 and gained her BA (Hons) in Post Compulsory Education and Training in 2015. She has a passion for Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and developing basic skills which saw her be appointed as Curriculum Lead for the Foundation Team in 2020. She has shown a flair for problem solving and leading a happy and cohesive team, a “can do” approach to leadership which, arguably, supported her appointment as Curriculum Director of Skills covering Deeside, Northop and LLysfasi. Quoting Jill “English and Maths are the most transferable life skills…develop them now and they will serve you well into the future”

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Rosalyn Mort
Curriculum Director - Skills - Yale & Bersham

Roz started with Cambria in 2016 as an Essential Skills Work-Based Learning Assessor and progressed to Skills Lecturer in 2018. With over 15 years of teaching experience, Roz has recently been appointed Curriculum Director for Skills. Having gained a First Class Honours Degree in Applied Business Management through Cambria Business School and Swansea University, Roz has gone on to undertake a Masters in Management through the University of Chester. Roz is passionate about the learners and making a difference to both them and her team.

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Claire Howells
Curriculum Director - Adults & Work-based Learning Skills and Jobs Growth Wales+ (Deeside)

Claire joined the college in 2018 as a Work Based Learning Skills Assessor before becoming Curriculum Director for Adult and Work Based Learning Skills in September 2023. Claire graduated with a Master’s Degree from Aberystwyth University in 2012. She is passionate about leading her team to support Adults/Apprentices to access Skills education across Wrexham and Flintshire.

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Samantha Moore
Curriculum Director -
Learn English

Samantha joined Coleg Cambria in 2014 as a PGCE student when she returned back to education after teaching Compulsory Basic Training for several years. Samantha gained her PGCE in 2015 and at the same time employment within the Jobs Growth Wales+ department of the college. Samantha furthered her education and became the Jobs Growth Wales+ Lead IQA and ILM Mentor. This role led her to become recognised as a leader and mentor within the team. In 2021 Samantha become the Currirculum Director of Jobs Growth Wales+. In 2024 Samantha was appointed the role of ESOL Currirculum Director.

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Technical Studies Directorate

Julie Guzzo
Curriculum Director -
Hair & Beauty, Sound/Music Engineering, Media & Fashion Business & Retail

Julie joined the College in 2011 as an Assessor before becoming Assistant Director of Curriculum in 2012. Prior to this, Julie had her own successful hair and beauty businesses for 6 years and has held a range of leadership positions. She has extensive experience in coaching, managing and leadership and uses her commercial expertise to develop and plan an effective curriculum. Julie is also a Pivotal Behaviour Instructor.

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Sean Regan
Curriculum Director -
Sport, Esports, Uniformed Public Services, Health & Social Care & Childcare - Deeside

Sean joined Coleg Cambria in 2015 having spent time supporting the college as a drug and alcohol practitioner working with the Youth Justice Service. Having completed a degree in Sports & Exercise Science at the University of Chester Sean has been working in sports since 2007 in various roles; coaching academy football in both England and Wales. It was actually Coleg Cambria that convinced Sean that education was his calling, over a career in football, and since joining the college he has worked across sites, and delivered between Entry Level and Level 5. Sean believes that FE can offer a second chance for those disengaged with education and is passionate about growing provision that offers real life experiences, truly preparing learners for positive futures inline with their aspirations.

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Technical Studies Directorate

Natalie Cliffe
Curriculum Director -
Art & Design, Visitor Economy

Natalie joined the college (as was Welsh College of Horticulture) in 2006 as the Equine yard manager, her roles consisted of managing a team of yard staff and running equestrian competitions and professional examinations which helped to ensure the college was a vibrant part of the equestrian community and a leading centre for individuals wanting to study Equine.

In 2022, Natalie was appointed the role of Curriculum Director for Visitor Economy at Yale. This is an exciting role for her which she is thoroughly enjoying. The aim for the area is to fully utilise the excellent facilities and develop the range of courses that are offered to purposely meet the needs of the Industry by developing strong vocational skills in our learners.

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Claire Williams
Curriculum Director - Health, Social Care & Childcare

Former student Claire held a managerial position within a day nursery before returning to Coleg Cambria to join the Work-based Learning Childcare team as an assessor, mentor, IQA and tutor. Claire achieved her BA Hons degree and PGCE alongside supporting a governing body for a local secondary school, thanks to this, she gained further knowledge and experiences to support her progression to Curriculum Director.

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Sally Jones
Curriculum Director - Uniformed Public Services, Sport, Performing Arts & Business - Yale

Sally joined Cambria in 2016 after teaching P.E and leading on the pastoral programme in another FE college. She
has a passion for sport, both as a spectator and a competitor, and also manages Cambria’s Elite Sport programme which provides
opportunities for students to represent the College in regional leagues and national events. Sally has represented Wales in netball and
helped lead the College netball team to become national champions.

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Technical Studies Directorate

Dewi Jones
Farm Manager

Dewi holds postgraduate qualifications in Education and Leadership and Management, and a degree in Agriculture. Following a short period in the schools sector, Dewi has worked at Llysfasi since 1996 undertaking roles as Lecturer, Head of Land-based, Business Management, IT and Engineering as well as his current role as Farm Manager. Dewi also spent 10 years as a part time Additional Inspector for Estyn and is currently the Clwyd County President for NFU Cymru.

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Joe Mault
Curriculum Director -
Land-based Industries

Joe holds a postgraduate qualification in Education and a degree in Geological Oceanography from Bangor University. Prior to starting with Coleg Cambria in 2020, Joe has spent the last 10 years in industry gaining an understanding of the requirements needed for learners to be successful in industry. As a former Advisor within the National Farmers Union, Joe is accustomed to land based government policy and has an extensive network across the agricultural industry. Joe has also worked for the Environment Agency and led on the incident response to all types of environmental events such as flooding or pollution. Joe also farms beef and sheep at home with his father and sister.

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Sub Directorate Deputy Chief Executive Officer Principal Sub Departments

Employer Engagement

HE & Access

Academic Studies - Assistant Principal & Site Lead - Deeside 6th

Academic Studies - Assistant Principal & Site Lead - Yale 6th

Institute of Technology - Assistant Principal & Site Lead - Bersham

Institute of Technology - Assistant Principal & Site Lead - Deeside

Foundation Learning ILS & Traineeships

Skills

Technical Studies - Assistant Principal & Site Lead - Deeside

Technical Studies - Assistant Principal & Site Lead - Yale

Technical Studies - Assistant Principal & Site Lead - Llysfasi

Work-based Learning (WBL) and Employer Engagement Directorate

Gari Thomas Employer Engagement Manager

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Gari Thomas
Employer Engagement Manager