STEMNET Staff
These are the people who work for STEMNET
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Key responsibilities:
As Chief Executive, Yvonne is passionately committed to strengthening STEMNET’s position as the leading organisation in the co-ordination of Enhancement and Enrichment support for STEM across the UK.
With the support of the Chair and Board members, she is responsible for ensuring the strategic direction of STEMNET, securing funding and support from government and industry, and continuing to strengthen STEMNET’s remit and reach.
Working closely with partners, Yvonne is dedicated to supporting STEM across the UK, including currently working closely with HMG on the effective and successful delivery of the STEM Programme Report, published by the DfES in October 2006.Educational history:
University of Birmingham - Chemical Engineering (1st class Honours)
Employment history:
Yvonne joined Unilever as part of their Graduate Management Trainee programme, followed by positions in production, process development and capital projects for speciality chemical manufacturers in both the UK and The Netherlands. After Unilever, Yvonne went on to work for two other chemical companies and then moved into pharmaceutical manufacturing plant design with Hoechst UK Ltd, where she was the lead process engineer for a $15m vaccine facility.
In search of a new challenge, Yvonne moved to KPMG Consulting in the City, where she stayed for seven years, working on a wide range of projects for international chemical and pharmaceutical companies, which included extensive international travel.
From there Yvonne joined STEMNET in July 2002 to establish and implement the now nationally recognised STEM Ambassadors programme. This included establishing programme strategy, structure, policy and procedure, and also infrastructure, training and supporting technology. The STEM Ambassadors programme is widely acknowledged and has over 18,000 volunteer members.
Yvonne took up the post of STEMNET Chief Executive in January 2005. - more about person
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Key responsibilities:
- Legal and Secretarial
- Corporate Governance
- Finance and Audit
- Quality AssuranceEducational history:
BA (Hons) Business Administration
Employment history:
Fiona has worked for a number of organisations within the STEM field, including SEMTA, M&ETA and STMC. Whilst at SEMTA, Fiona was seconded to STEMNET in 2002 and joined STEMNET permanently in 2004.
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Key responsibilities:
To provide an office management function for STEMNET along with knowledge management capabilities.
Educational history:
BA Hons Modern Greek Studies, King’s College, London
Employment history:
Christina has worked as a KPMG Management Consultant, an Operations Manager for International Language School and also as an Offshore Marketing Executive. She joined STEMNET in 2008.
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Key Responsibilities
- To provide a strong admin support function to STEMNET
- To support the London Ambassadors Manager in the delivery of the STEM Ambassadors Contract
Educational HistoryHelen was educated in Kent Bullers Wood School for Girls, followed by Orpington College.
Employment HistoryHelen was employed as a Supervisor at Russell and Bromley from 1998 until 2007. This was followed by a year at Alfred McApline PLC before joining STEMNET in July 2008.
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Key Responsibilities
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Key Responsibilities
- To act as a ‘single point of contact’ for all STEMNET website and information systems queries, including the STEMNET STEM E&E/STEM Ambassadors Database.
- To maintain the design, content and technical integrity of the STEMNET website and associated database to ensure consistency and currency.
- To ensure that all content and design implementations are appropriate for the web.
- To liaise with stakeholders (STEMNET staff + contract holders) to create and prioritise functional and data requirements.
- To deliver development specifications to time, quality and budget.
- To manage external suppliers including development partners
Educational History
- MSc Information Systems Management
- BA Psychology and Sociology
- PRINCE2 Practitioner
Employment History
While doing his BA, Kwabena begun his career as an contributing editor for a lifestyle magazine in Ghana. He then moved on to the multimedia department of that magazine as the lead developer and team leader providing multi-media solutions for the magazine and third party companies.
He has also previously worked as a web developer and manager for the West Ham and Plaistow New Deal for Communities a community regeneration agency under the London Borough of Newham. And prior to moving to STEMNET worked as a Flash/Interaction Developer for Masher Technologies, an online video and messaging platform provider.
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Key Responsibilities
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Key responsibilities
- To ensure that STEMNET and its related networks are equipped and able to provide appropriate support services to ALL schools and colleges and that STEMNET is seen as a leader in STEM E&E support across the UK. This includes successful delivery of STEMNET’s responsibilities with regard to regional and local co-ordination of STEM E&E;
- To continuously review and develop STEMNET’s network capabilities in order to maximise its impact and value to funders and to work strategically with a wide range of partners, including business, within and beyond STEM, to identify opportunities for more effective collaboration which can bring benefits to all schools and colleges as well as other stakeholders.
Educational history:
1984-7: BSc. (Hons) Chemistry with Management Studies [King’s College, London]
1996-7: MBA (Distinction) [Imperial College, London]
2003-4: PGCE: Primary [Institute of Education, London]Employment history:
Kirsten began her career as a Development Chemist for Courtaulds working in the coatings division. She then moved on to become a consultant for the chemical industry at KPMG.
She changed her career path and became a primary teacher at Claygate Primary School. Continuing with her interest in education, she embarked on a career as a regional director for STEMNET in London. She was then promoted to Director of Networks in August 2008.
Member of other organisations:
SOCI [Society of the Chemical Industry] - more about person
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Key responsibilities:
- Providing STEM E&E Advisory infrastructure by ensuring ALL schools and colleges in a region are able to access appropriate information and advice on STEM E&E in order to increase the number of schools, colleges and students participating.
- Supporting STEM E&E by increasing the quality of STEM E&E support available to schools and colleges and to encourage greater participation.
- Forging regional partnerships by working with regional partners and ensuring the best possible service is provided to schools and colleges, and to leverage in additional support for STEM E&E in order to increase opportunities for engaging young people and addressing national and regional priorities.
- Monitoring, evaluating and continuously improving regional STEM E&E provision.
- Project management - helping STEMNET to deliver strategic projects which increase opportunities for young people, regardless of backgrounds, to engage more effectively with STEM E&E.
Educational history:
Post graduate DMS – Educational Management
Employment history:
Leslie started her career in London working for a bank where she became involved with school accounts, training school liaison officers, and encouraging links with education. She then worked for Suffolk Education Business Partnership as an area manager before moving on to Suffolk County Council’s Policy and Planning team where she prepared Ofsted LEA inspection advice, and implemented the Commission for Racial Equality Standard across the education department. She returned to Suffolk EBP as EBP Manager and Suffolk Education Business Consortium Director. She joined STEMNET as a regional director in 2005.
Membership of other organisations:
ASE - more about person
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Key responsibilities:
- Providing STEM E&E Advisory infrastructure by ensuring ALL schools and colleges in a region are able to access appropriate information and advice on STEM E&E in order to increase the number of schools, colleges and students participating.
- Supporting STEM E&E by increasing the quality of STEM E&E support available to schools and colleges and to encourage greater participation.
- Forging regional partnerships by working with regional partners and ensuring the best possible service is provided to schools and colleges, and to leverage in additional support for STEM E&E in order to increase opportunities for engaging young people and addressing national and regional priorities.
- Monitoring, evaluating and continuously improving regional STEM E&E provision.
- Project management - helping STEMNET to deliver strategic projects which increase opportunities for young people, regardless of backgrounds, to engage more effectively with STEM E&E.
Educational history:
Mechanical Engineering – University of Bristol
Employment history:
Cathy joined GEC Engineering Systems Ltd as an 18 year old student apprentice and completed a ‘thick sandwich’ mechanical engineering degree at Bristol University. While at GEC she worked as a design engineer, and then as a manager on projects to develop equipment which stores and reprocesses nuclear waste.
Cathy developed a strong interest in education through involvement with her children’s primary school and is currently chair of governors.
After joining SETPOINT Leicestershire in 2002 as Science and Engineering Ambassadors Manager, she took over as SETPOINT Manager in 2004. Cathy joined STEMNET in her current role of regional director for East Midlands in 2005.
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Key responsibilities:
- Providing STEM E&E Advisory infrastructure by ensuring ALL schools and colleges in a region are able to access appropriate information and advice on STEM E&E in order to increase the number of schools, colleges and students participating.
- Supporting STEM E&E by increasing the quality of STEM E&E support available to schools and colleges and to encourage greater participation.
- Forging regional partnerships by working with regional partners and ensuring the best possible service is provided to schools and colleges, and to leverage in additional support for STEM E&E in order to increase opportunities for engaging young people and addressing national and regional priorities.
- Monitoring, evaluating and continuously improving regional STEM E&E provision.
- Project management - helping STEMNET to deliver strategic projects which increase opportunities for young people, regardless of backgrounds, to engage more effectively with STEM E&E.
Educational history:
• Honours degree in Biochemistry
• PhD Biochemistry
Employment history:
Sam started her career in Washington DC where she worked for Georgetown University and the National Institute of Health. She also volunteered at a shelter making breakfast for 400 homeless people. She returned to England and joined SmithKline Beecham, working on a diabetic drug which became one of the fastest selling drugs in the history of the company. Sam then moved up north to work for the International Centre of Life before heading the Future Matters team at RTC North Ltd. She became a regional director for STEMNET in 2005.
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Key responsibilities:
- Providing STEM E&E Advisory infrastructure by ensuring ALL schools and colleges in a region are able to access appropriate information and advice on STEM E&E in order to increase the number of schools, colleges and students participating.
- Supporting STEM E&E by increasing the quality of STEM E&E support available to schools and colleges and to encourage greater participation.
- Forging regional partnerships by working with regional partners and ensuring the best possible service is provided to schools and colleges, and to leverage in additional support for STEM E&E in order to increase opportunities for engaging young people and addressing national and regional priorities.
- Monitoring, evaluating and continuously improving regional STEM E&E provision.
- Project management - helping STEMNET to deliver strategic projects which increase opportunities for young people, regardless of backgrounds, to engage more effectively with STEM E&E.
Educational history:
University of Central Lancashire - BSc PhysicsLoughborough University - MSc Aerosystems Engineering, specialising in Technical Intelligence
Employment history:
Kevin began his career with the Royal Air Force as an engineering officer and completed his RAF service as Squadron Commander. He then went on to work for British Aerospace where he managed training and education programmes within the BAE SYSTEMS virtual university. Through his involvement with school communities he gained a strong interest in education and became a school governor at a local technology college school.He became a regional director for STEMNET in June 2005.
Membership of other organisations:
- Member of the Institution of Engineering & Technology (MIET)
- Chartered Engineer (CEng)
- Deputy Chair School Governor
- Science & Engineering Ambassador
- IET Schools Liaison Officer – Lancs & Cumbria Branch
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Key responsibilities:
- Providing STEM E&E Advisory infrastructure by ensuring ALL schools and colleges in a region are able to access appropriate information and advice on STEM E&E in order to increase the number of schools, colleges and students participating.
- Supporting STEM E&E by increasing the quality of STEM E&E support available to schools and colleges and to encourage greater participation.
- Forging regional partnerships by working with regional partners and ensuring the best possible service is provided to schools and colleges, and to leverage in additional support for STEM E&E in order to increase opportunities for engaging young people and addressing national and regional priorities.
- Monitoring, evaluating and continuously improving regional STEM E&E provision.
- Project management - helping STEMNET to deliver strategic projects which increase opportunities for young people, regardless of backgrounds, to engage more effectively with STEM E&E.
Educational history:
1988-1991 Ph.D in Microbial Biochemistry - University of Kent
1984-1988 B.Sc. (Hons) Biochemistry - University of KentEmployment history:
After completing his PhD, Aj joined Viridian and developed solutions for treating contaminated air, land and water. He then went on to work for Reckitt Benckiser as Technology Manager, formulating new products for household cleaning and healthcare, and University of Oxford working as Commercial Technology Manager. Whilst at Oxford he was seconded to SEEDA and became a regional director with STEMNET in 2005.Member of other organisations:
- ASE - more about person
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Key responsibilities:
- Providing STEM E&E Advisory infrastructure by ensuring ALL schools and colleges in a region are able to access appropriate information and advice on STEM E&E in order to increase the number of schools, colleges and students participating.
- Supporting STEM E&E by increasing the quality of STEM E&E support available to schools and colleges and to encourage greater participation.
- Forging regional partnerships by working with regional partners and ensuring the best possible service is provided to schools and colleges, and to leverage in additional support for STEM E&E in order to increase opportunities for engaging young people and addressing national and regional priorities.
- Monitoring, evaluating and continuously improving regional STEM E&E provision.
- Project management - helping STEMNET to deliver strategic projects which increase opportunities for young people, regardless of backgrounds, to engage more effectively with STEM E&E.
Employment history:
Whilst working for BT, Heather was responsible for a number of project and people management roles. She then took on a role at the Gloucestershire College of Arts and Technology, managing the Learndirect delivery at the college. Heather then moved into the role of the Gloucestershire Education Business Links Consortium Manager which involved developing knowledge of education and businesses throughout Gloucestershire and managing the LSC funded contracts with EBLO delivery organisations. She developed and implemented an open contracting process, set up a management board made up of local businesses, schools and funding agencies, and managed the stakeholder meetings with delivery organisations.
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Key responsibilities:
- Providing STEM E&E Advisory infrastructure by ensuring ALL schools and colleges in a region are able to access appropriate information and advice on STEM E&E in order to increase the number of schools, colleges and students participating.
- Supporting STEM E&E by increasing the quality of STEM E&E support available to schools and colleges and to encourage greater participation.
- Forging regional partnerships by working with regional partners and ensuring the best possible service is provided to schools and colleges, and to leverage in additional support for STEM E&E in order to increase opportunities for engaging young people and addressing national and regional priorities.
- Monitoring, evaluating and continuously improving regional STEM E&E provision.
- Project management - helping STEMNET to deliver strategic projects which increase opportunities for young people, regardless of backgrounds, to engage more effectively with STEM E&E.
Educational history:
BA (Education and Technology),
Cert Ed, MA (Professional Studies)Employment history:
Barry has had many roles within education starting as a teacher of design and technology, before becoming head of subject, and director of a design faculty in Sandwell LEA. From here he progressed into local authority work as a TVEI technology coordinator, subject adviser and Ofsted inspector for design and technology, and STEMPOINT manager in Northamptonshire LEA. In 2005/06 Barry became the president of the National Association for Advisers and Inspectors in Design and Technology (NAAIDT) which culminated in a national conference in April 2006 in Warwickshire. He remains a member of the NAAIDT and provides them with STEM updates.
He joined STEMNET as Regional Director for the West Midlands in 2005.Member of other organisations:
- The Design and Technology Association (D&TA)
- The National Association for Advisers and Inspectors in Design and Technology (NAAIDT)
- Association for Science Education (ASE)
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Key responsibilities:
- Providing STEM E&E Advisory infrastructure by ensuring ALL schools and colleges in a region are able to access appropriate information and advice on STEM E&E in order to increase the number of schools, colleges and students participating.
- Supporting STEM E&E by increasing the quality of STEM E&E support available to schools and colleges and to encourage greater participation.
- Forging regional partnerships by working with regional partners and ensuring the best possible service is provided to schools and colleges, and to leverage in additional support for STEM E&E in order to increase opportunities for engaging young people and addressing national and regional priorities.
- Monitoring, evaluating and continuously improving regional STEM E&E provision.
- Project management - helping STEMNET to deliver strategic projects which increase opportunities for young people, regardless of backgrounds, to engage more effectively with STEM E&E.
Educational history:
- Diploma in Management Studies 1993
- MSc Transport Planning & Logistics Management 1996
- Post Graduate Diploma in Business Information Technology 1997
- PGCE Business Studies and Economics 2003
Employment history:Gus' early career started in the RAF, working up to Senior Operations Controller at RAF Lyneham, the UK's busiest military airfield. He then worked for Tara Logistics Ltd and Blue Diamond Services Ltd as a Contract Manager before embarking on a PGCE. He was an A-level lecturer and subject co-ordinator at a 6th Form College and then moved on to become an Enterprise Adviser for a consultancy service, assisting secondary schools in South Yorkshire to enhance their delivery of work-related learning.
He became Regional Director for Yorkshire and the Humber in 2005.
Member of other organisations:- Chartered Member of the Institution of Logistics and Transport
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Key responsibilities:
- To facilitate and ensure successful delivery of programmes which STEMNET is engaged to manage – to target, to time and to budget.
- To maintain and develop STEMNET’s Programme Management capability in order to enable it to continue to successfully deliver significant programmes in STEM Enhancement & Enrichment for a variety of funders;
- To identify and pursue appropriate programme opportunities which have a good strategic fit with STEMNET’s activities and priorities, and which allow it to achieve its mission as well as increase its profile and reputation with key stakeholders;
Educational history:
BSc (Hons) Economic and Social Policy
MSc Organisational BehaviourEmployment history:
Pat has been employed by the civil service and has held various positions at HM Customs, OFTEL, DTI, and the DIUS. She was seconded to STEMNET in 2006.
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Key responsibilities:
Management of the After School Science and Engineering Clubs programme:
- Development of project timescales, deadlines and milestones;
- Managing the programme, including the activities of the consortium partners;
- Ensuring the requirements of the programme funders are being met;
- Co-ordination of programme activity among consortium partners and the project team;
- Administration of the programme – financial administration, maintaining the records of the 500 schools involved in the programme and record-keeping;
- Communicating any requirements of funding and programme changes to the schools;
- Acting as the secretariat and chair to the project team;
- Arranging Clubs-specific events;
- Managing contracts within the programme, including the good practice project funded by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation.
Management of the STEM Access Grants programme:
- Managing the programme;
- Administration of the programme – including financial and schools’ administration;
- Ensuring the requirements of the programme funders are being met;
- Providing the secretariat for the Steering Group;
- Ensuring the requirements of the programme funders are being met;
- Co-ordinating the monitoring and evaluation requirements and the assessment process;
- Communicating any requirements of funding and programme changes to the schools.
Educational history:Pittville School, Cheltenham – 1987 to 1992
Gloucestershire College of Arts and Technology – 1992 to 1994
Leicester University – 1994 to 1997Employment history:
Joanne started her career as pub manager at a JD Wetherspoon’s pub and then moved on to Matalan as a sales manager before becoming a policy adviser for the Department of Trade and Industry. She joined STEMNET as Senior Programme Manager in 2006.
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Key responsibilities:
Jemeela manages the national STEM Ambassadors Programme and is responsible for:
- the launch of STEM Ambassadors online registration form and new STEM Ambassadors Management Database
- the organisation of annual National STEM Ambassadors Celebration Event at House of Lords
- providing training where necessary to STEM Ambassadors Management contract holders on how to deliver SEAs Inductions
She also acts as Programme Manager for the IET Joint Activity programme.
Educational history:
- BSc (Hons) in Physics and Astrophysics from University of Manchester (2001)
- MSc Distinction in Microwave Engineering and Wireless Subsystems Design from University of Surrey (2007)
Employment history:
After graduating, Jemeela started her career as a research scientist at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington. She was then seconded to Educational Outreach Manager before joining STEMNET as Programme Manager in 2007.
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Key responsibilities:
- Creating links with London-based STEM companies and institutions to recruit STEM Ambassadors promoting the STEM Ambassadors programme to schools and educational organisations,
- training STEM Ambassadors,
- providing all STEM Ambassadors and schools in London with mutually beneficial opportunities to work together and share an enthusiasm for STEM through the STEM Ambassadors programme!
Educational history:
BA (Hons) Mandarin & English – University of Leeds
Employment history:
Vickie began her career working for the Gambling Commission policy team before gaining an internship in Beijing doing research on urban development at CGA China. She also spent a short time at the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit before joining STEMNET as London STEM Ambassadors Manager in 2007.
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Key responsibilities:
- Partnership working on major UK STEM programmes such as the London Engineering Project
- Ensuring access across schools
- Ensuring diversity across programmes
Educational history:
University of Sheffield - B.Sc Biochemistry
University of London - PGCE
University of York - Fellowship in Science Education
Employment history:
Steve taught in a wide range of schools in London and was an advisory teacher for the ILEA before working on a variety of major curriculum development projects. He has been a science education adviser at both the National Maritime Museum and the London Docklands Development Corporation. He them became a manager for the BA Young People programme and manager for Shell Education Service. He was a visiting lecturer in science and technology education at London Metropolitan University before joining STEMNET in 2005.
Membership of other organisations:
- ASE
- RHS
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Key responsibilities:
Rachel is working to maximise STEMNET’s links with Business & Industry which will ultimately result in increased support for STEM education and related activity for young people. Her work will focus on the creation and maintenance of mutually-beneficial, long term relationships between STEMNET and employers who use STEM skills.
Educational history:
- Manchester Metropolitan University – BSc (Hons) Applied Biological Sciences
- University of East Anglia/Institute of Food Research - PhD (Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry)
Employment history:
Rachel worked at the University of Manchester in Public Engagement and Business Development for several years, and then joined STEMNET in October 2007. A keen athlete, she regularly competes in triathlons and extreme fitness challenges.
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Yvonne Baker
Chief Executive
Fiona Marchant
Finance & Legal Affairs Manager, Company Secretary
Christina Manny
Office And HR Manager
Helen Delahoy
Office and STEM Ambassadors Administrator
Terri Telford
Head of Communications & Public Affairs
Kwabena Aning
Website & Information Systems Manager
Hannah Taylor
Communications Coordinator
Kirsten Bodley
Director of Networks
Leslie Whyte-Venables
Regional Director East
Cathy Brown
Regional Director East Midlands
Sam Pearson
Regional Director North East
Kevin Burke
Regional Director North West & Northern Ireland
Ajay Sharman
Regional Director South East And London
Heather Campbell
Regional Director South West & Wales
Barry Lewis
Regional Director West Midlands
Gus McSkimming
Regional Director Yorkshire and the Humber
Pat Langford
Director of Programmes
Joanne Watts
Senior Programme Manager
Jemeela Quraishi
Programme Manager - STEM Ambassadors
Vickie Bazalgette
London STEM Ambassadors Manager
Steve Smyth
Development and Diversity Manager
Rachel Crossley
Business Engagement Manager
