Chief Executive

Robin joined Seta as CEO in January 2014. He has a real passion for Engineering and Education. Robin's early career was in engineering design and new product development, later setting up a small business that developed bespoke computer aided design software. He has had academic roles at both Durham and Newcastle Universities. At Newcastle University Robin spearheaded the development of their commercial offerings and as Director of Newcastle University Ventures was responsible for setting up a number of University spin-out companies.

Centre Manager

David is an experienced time served Toolmaker who did his own apprentice training with Seta.  He has worked in various Toolrooms and sub contract machine shops including Perlos, Delta precision and Kail.  David originally joined Seta as a training instructor and assessor. He is now the Centre Manager with responsibility for co-ordinating training within the centre. He is also lead internal verifier for Seta’s awarding bodies. David has attained a NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety.

Business Development Manager

Karen has been involved in STEM teaching and support for over 30 years starting with leading Sunderland Council's Study Support Team, progressing into her own education consultancy which she ran for 12 years before then leading to the Business Development function for Apprenticeships at both Rolls-Royce Training Centre and now at Seta.

Funding and Administration Manager

Ashleigh originally joined Seta as an Administration Assistant in 2017, where she completed her Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship. She was then promoted to Funding and Administration Manager at Seta in 2019. She is responsible for accounts, funding, learner management and administration within the company. She has over 6 years experience in various customer service roles.

Business Development Support Officer

Erin joined Seta in 2018 with 6 years of business to business experience. As the key support to the Business Development Managers she is the first point of contact for customers’ workforce development needs. Following discussions and review of these requirements, Erin provides customer-specific proposals and course booking arrangements.

Business Support Officer

Nathan joined Seta straight from school as a Business Administration Apprentice supporting the Business Development Team and other areas of the business. He has a wealth of experience in voluntary roles gained whilst at school including 10 years in the Scouting Association.

Administrator

Eleanor is the first point of contact for our customers and stakeholders, whether on the phone or in person. She deals with administration, learner management and purchasing. She joined Seta straight from school in 2019 and is currently undertaking a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship.

Training Officer

Robin has more than 40 years’ experience in Engineering Maintenance (multi-skilled), having served his apprenticeship within the clothing trade and then Working at LG Phillips, Durham and Pyrex, Sunderland. He has been in training as an NVQ Assessor/Apprentice Co-ordinator since 2006 employed by various training providers: Rolls-Royce Training Centre, British Engines and TDR Training. He has since joined SETA specialising in Engineering Maintenance/Installation work carrying out assessment and verification to the awarding body standards.

Training Officer

Anthony has 40 years’ experience in the engineering industry, serving his time as a sheetmetalworker at Swan Hunter Shipbuilders on the Tyne. Since then he has been involved in manufacturing bespoke stainless steel process equipment for local pharmaceutical companies before moving in to education with South Tyneside College. Anthony joined Rolls-Royce North East Training Centre in 2008 as a NVQ assessor were he gained his Interval Verifiers award and his NEBOSH Certificate qualification for Safety and Health. He has also worked for British Engines and TDR Training in similar roles before joining SETA in 2019  

Training Officer

Carl has 23 years of experience in engineering, working in different fields of toolmaking including press tools, injection mould tools, metal spinning tools and sub contract machining. His industry experience includes Grorud Engineering, Perlos/Medifiq, Tanfield Metal Spinners and Precision 2000.

Training Instructor

Dave has 37 years’ experience in the Electrical/Instrumentation field, he been involved in a vast range of areas from Petro/Chemical to the car industry.  He also worked at SMC Pneumatics for 12 years, as a Technical trainer covering Pneumatics, Electro-Pneumatics and PLC courses to industry in the UK.  Dave is now involved in Inspection & Testing, Mechatronics and delivering courses to meet local industry’s needs.

Training Instructor

Malcolm has more than 40 years’ experience in Engineering Maintenance (multi-skilled), having served his apprenticeship within the high volume manufacturing industry. He has been in training as a Trainer/NVQ Assessor/IQA/Apprentice Co-ordinator since 1989 employed by various training providers. He rejoined SETA in 2018 specialising in Mechanical Engineering carrying out the training and assessment to awarding body standards.

Training Instructor

George has over 20 years experience in the Electronics, Electrical and Instrumentation area.   He has been involved in the design and implementation of the battery powered vehicles control circuits and Honeywell DCS for the petrochemical industry. George has been involved in education and training since 1999 including delivering BTEC courses, Key and Functional Skills as well as being involved in the training of Apprentices. 

Training Instructor

Peter served his time as a Mechanical Maintenance Technician. He spent the subsequent 25 years in the Automotive and white goods sectors working for companies such as Thyssen Krupp and Parker Hannifin. He has in depth experience at all levels within Industry from shop floor to Senior Management and in a variety of roles covering Maintenance, Manufacturing Engineering, Project Management and Manufacturing Management. He has been teaching, assessing and delivering commercial training for over 10 years.

Training Instructor/CSWIP Instructor/Examiner

Mike is a time served Boilermaker and has over 25 years’ experience in heavy fabrication. Mike served his apprenticeship with Redpath Dorman Long followed by a number of UK based fabrication companies. More recently, Mike has 14 years’ experience as a Fabrication and Welding lecturer at Hartlepool College of Further Education, prior to joining SETA in October 2017. He is an Associate Member of the TWI and a CSWIP registered Welding Instructor /Examiner, also an ISO 9606 coded welder.

Training Instructor

Chris started his apprenticeship in 2000 with Seta completing his apprenticeship as a multidiscipline machinist at Roballo engineering, part of the ThyssenKrupp group  where he manufactured large diameter antifriction slewing ring bearings. After 12 years with Roballo he moved to Rolls-Royce, Sunderland where he worked in the large turbine cell manufacturing the high compression disks of the Trent 1000 and xwb engines. Then he moved to BEL Valves part of the British Engines group where he programmed and ran multi-axis CNC machining centres producing large valves for the oil and gas industry. Then he returned to Roballo as a team leader/leading hand working on various machines and processes throughout Roballo.  

HNC Lead/Lecturer

Gary has 40 years’ experience in Engineering as a manufacturing/design engineer. Having initially served his apprenticeship as a toolmaker with Victor Products Wallsend he then moved to the sub contract sector becoming a design engineer specialising in tool, die and general purpose machinery. He has been in education as a lecturer since 2004 previously with TyneMet College delivering BTEC, C&G and EAL qualifications from L1 to L5. He has now joined SETA delivering L3 technical qualifications as well as being Programme Lead for and delivering HNC's.

Lecturer

Phil has over 20 years experience in the electronic servicing and repair field, working in the education, private, and voluntary sectors. In addition he has over 15 years experience in lecturing in a wide range of subjects from City and Guilds, EAL and BTEC etc, from Level 2 up to and including HNC/D and foundation degree.

Lecturer

Lecturer

From 2002 till 2013 Martin has taught maths at University in the US and in the UK with particular focus on calculus and applications for STEM majors. He received his PhD in 2008 at the Ohio State University in the area of automorphic forms and representations. In 2014-15 Martin obtained his QTS Maths Secondary and since then he has taught maths KS3, KS4, KS5 as well as A-level.