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.

Head of Commercial Training

Vicky has over 20 years’ experience in training & funding having worked for Business Link, Northumberland Training & Enterprise Council, Blyth Valley Housing and Kier in this time. Latterly setting up and running the successful Gas Training at Kier for 8 years. Vicky joined Seta in April 2019 and is responsible for developing the commercial training arm of the business.  

Office Manager

Alison's responsibilities at Seta include all company financial matters, and the administration and monitoring of apprentices on programme. Alison has over 30 years’ experience of working in administration roles, based mainly in the engineering sector.

Administrator

Ashleigh is the first point of contact for our customers and stakeholders, whether on the phone or in person. She works closely with Alison, our Office Manager, dealing with administration, learner management, purchasing and accounts. She has over 6 years’ experience in customer service, working previously at Asda, Sainsbury’s and in various other customer facing jobs. Ashleigh has recently completed her Level 3 Apprenticeship in Business Administration.

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.

Training Officer

Ian has more than 43 years of experience in the engineering sector, having served his apprenticeship with T.S Fosters and Sons and going on to work for the firm for 17 years. He also worked in the tool room at David Brown Radicon for ten years and since joining Seta, has specialised in assessment and verification.

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.

Senior Training Instructor

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

Paul has more than 40 years of experience in the engineering sector, having served his apprenticeship with A.R. Reyrolle and then moving to Trench U.K  formally The Bushing company in Hebburn, moving from Team Leader to Production Manager involved the day to day organising of the processing plant. In 2013 he joined SETA and after becoming an Assessor/Internal Verifier is training young people in all types of machining from manual to computer numerical control, machining a wide range of materials.

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.

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