We are incredibly grateful to this year’s team of expert consultants, specialists in their field, for giving up their time to support the students participating in the 2021 Virtual Assessment Centre. Every student in each of the 8 teams will take on at least one role within their project team, with roles profiles designed to give student experience of a real-life work scenario, in which each student will work within their role/s, collaboratively with their team members, to complete their project to a World Class standard. Each role is supported by a dedicated expert consultant best placed to support and guide students to fulfil their role to the best of their ability.
Meet the WCSQM Assessment Centre 2021 Expert Consultants
Alex Green – Environmental Consultant
Schools Programme Manager, Ashden
Alex is the Schools Programme Manager at Ashden, delivering the Let’s Go Zero Campaign and the LESS CO2 programme to schools across the UK. She has 20 years’ experience working with businesses and schools to help them reduce their energy use, and move towards a more sustainable future. Alex started her career working for the Environment Agency and Kent
County Council, advising businesses about environmental legislation and sustainability.
Alex is supporting: Environmental Officers
Anjana Raj – Project Management Consultant
Regional Community Manager, Sir Robert McAlpine
As a Regional Community Manager based in Newcastle, Anjana works closely with Sir Robert McAlpine project teams, supply chain partners and local communities in the Northern region to address the recruitment needs of every project and engage the public. As a mentor, she works relentlessly in collaboration with local authorities, partners and organisations to deliver schemes that drive local employment, facilitate training and apprenticeship opportunities, working with schools, colleges and universities across the region to promote career opportunities. Anjana has a wealth of project management experience and is on hand to support you with your role.
Anjana is supporting: Project Managers
Anna Gibson – Risk Assessment / Health & Safety Consultant
Regional Expedition Coordinator and In-Country Liaison Officer, Camps International
Anna is an Expedition Coordinator and in-country liaison officer for award-winning expedition provider, Camps International. Anna both coordinates and oversees expeditions for students aged 15-18 focusing on community project work, environmental conservation and wildlife conservation across Africa, South East Asia, and Central/South America.
The community projects that Camps International deliver in these areas of the world require vigorous and dynamic risk assessments, contingency plans, health and safety proceedings and flexibility to allow for any unforeseen issues that may arise. Camps International adheres to strict health and safety measures as well as ethical and sustainable practices to ensure the projects being completed are of the highest standard. Projects that Camps International have led can be found in the annual project report.
Anna is supporting: Risk Assessment / Health & Safety Officers
Daniel Lockey – Safeguarding Consultant
Finance Manager at Ministry of Justice, based in Durham
Dan is a Finance Manager for the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). Dan recently took on this new role in October 2020 after working for the MOJ for 2.5 Years. Dan has responsibility for Major Contracts for the Prison Service including Retail, Education and Prisoner Transport. Dan is currently studying CIMA accountancy qualifications to become a Chartered Accountant in the future. In his spare time, Dan is a qualified Rowing Coach and Competitive Rower for Durham ARC and enjoys walking his springer spaniel.
Dan is supporting: Safeguarding Officers
Jack Kennedy – Communications Consultant
Year 13 student – St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School
In 2019 Jack Kennedy successfully participated in the WCSQM Assessment Centre at UTC Reading, as a Year 12 student representing his school, St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School. Taking part in the process gave Jack the impetus to do more to not only develop his own World Class skills, but to showcase and support the development of his own school in Newcastle. He has since worked, with the support of his Assistant Headteacher Mr Rogers, to develop the challenge you will be working on for your assessment. He has created a video to explain more about the project and show you around the space. You can contact Jack about any aspect of the project. Jack was Communications Officer when he took part in the 2019 project, and received outstanding feedback from his assessors and consultants on his communication skills throughout. Jack will be using his skills and experience in this role to support you as your Communications Consultant.
Jack is supporting: Jack is available to provide support to all students, but specifically the Communications Officers / Administrators
James Vincent – SketchUp (Design) Consultant
Year 13 student – St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School
As the Google Sketch Up and CAD software expert, my role is to help and advise you in creating a design as a 3D virtual model. In terms of experience, I have undertaken several different engineering projects throughout my time at school and as a result of this I have gained valuable experience and insight into design engineering and using 3D software. I am currently studying Maths, Further Maths and Physics. I am planning on studying mechanical engineering at university with the intention of becoming a chartered engineer after finishing my Masters degree.
James is supporting: Designers
Katherine Hewin – Financial Consultant
Head of Business Management, Columbia Threadneedle Investments
Katy Hewin is the Head of Business Management (Investments) for EMEA and APAC at Columbia Threadneedle Investments, a Global Asset Managers based in the City of London and various locations in the US, Europe and Singapore. She works with the Investment team to build the efficiencies within teams’ processes. Her team’s focus is to collaborate with colleagues across the firm, representing Investments to find solutions and deliver strategic, global improvements to the firm.
Katy joined the company in 2002, became Global Head of RFP in 2003, moved to Product Development in 2005, and then joined the Investments department in 2011 as Fixed Income Business Manager. In 2016, Katy was seconded to be Business Lead on the implementation of a new order management system, Aladdin, and then became Head of Business Mana
gement (Investments) for EMEA and APAC at the beginning of 2019. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics from Leeds University and the Investment Management Certificate.
Katie is supporting: Financial Officers
Liam Moscrop – Media Consultant
Freelance Social Media and Content Creation Consultant
Liam Moscrop is a freelance Social Media and Content Creation consultant. He studied Film Production at the University of Gloucestershire graduating in 2020. He currently works for a number of businesses, mostly in the sports and leisure industry, improving their social media presence and reaching new clients. Liam’s film work has won the NAHEMI Kodak award, and he continues to
produce a wide range of content both for artistic and marketing purposes.
Liam is supporting: Media Producers
Matt Gooderham – Resourcing Consultant
Sales Director, Aspens Services
After graduating from the University of Brighton in Sports and Leisure Management. Matt started his career working for Intercontinental Hotels, before moving over to a Local Authority in Berkshire to work in its procurement department as a Senior Contracts Manager. Over this period Matt gained a diploma in Management Studies from Thames Valley University, whilst achieving his Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) and PRINCE2 qualifications. Over the last 10 years Matt has worked in Senior Operational and Business Development roles within the Education Catering Sector. In May 2020, Matt became the Sales Director at Aspens Services Ltd. Aspens provide catering solutions to over 600 schools across the UK.
Matt is supporting: Resource Coordinators
Roy Bearpark – IT Consultant
Engagement and Outreach Manager, Newcastle University
Roy leads the STEM Outreach Team at Newcastle University. As a Forensic Science graduate and qualified teacher who has worked in a range of STEM, heritage and arts management roles, he has experience of working with a large variety of young people. His experience of both in-person and digital engagement, and the use of technology in education and team management is extensive. In addition to his current role Roy has worked as an Operations Manager with responsibility for museum facilities and infrastructure including IT renewal projects.
Roy is supporting: IT Managers
Sara Waterfield – Design Consultant
Architect, Lytle Associates Architects
Sara is a director at Lytle Associates Architects in Guildford, with over 25 years’ experience of designing for the education sector, in particular school buildings. Sara studied architecture at Sheffield University, choosing the design of a Sixth Form College as her Diploma thesis project, an enthusiasm for school design that has continued ever since. Sara specialises in school master-plans and enjoys getting to know individual school staff and students, understanding a site and running workshops to design spaces that genuinely reflect a school’s unique character and aspirations. Outside spaces are often an integral part of a school design project – from covered walkways, seating alcoves or an outdoor workspace to entrance courtyards, plazas, sport or play areas. One of Sara’s favourite projects saw her running a workshop with a group of GCSE art students to design timber sculpture and seating as part of their new restaurant and outdoor dining terrace.
Sara is supporting: Designers
Sara has created the following video for the benefit of the project Designers, with tips and advice to get started.
