Staff Details

OTHER KEY ROLES - include Internal Verifier Co-ordinator, Scheme Co-ordinator for City & Guilds Qualifications. Jon also acts as an Expert Witness for the HSE in machinery accident investigations and court representation. Liaisons with key stakeholders, including the HSE, BWF, LSC and SSC’s.

Jon started his career as an apprentice Woodmachinist at Relyon Furniture Limited where he gained City & Guilds qualifications. During his apprenticeship, he was awarded the Sir Alfred Tomkins Memorial Scholarship, British Aerospace Award and the City & Guilds Medal of Excellence for outstanding work.

In 1989, he was appointed one of the youngest lecturers in Machine Woodworking at Brunel College, Bristol. During his time at Brunel, Jon further obtained qualifications and experience including City & Guilds Licentiateship, CNC Machining/CAD-CAM and AUTOCAD expertise. Jon was responsible for apprentices in Machine Woodworking and the development of commercial training at the College.

In 1995, Jon left the College to become an independent training provider. He immediately secured a number of assignments. During this period, Jon continued to make further personal developments by achieving the TDLB D34 Internal Verifier Award, CIEH Basic Health & Safety Certificate, IOSH Certificate and NEBOSH Certificate.

He successfully applied to become an External Verifier for City & Guilds and worked on the development of the Machine Woodworking and Furniture NVQ’s.

Jon is a fellow and council member of The Institute of Machine Woodworking Technology.

OTHER KEY ROLES - include delivery of Machine Woodworking, Wood Skills Training/Assessment. Key Skills Co-ordinator.

Colin served his apprenticeship in Bristol as a Wood Machinist. His industrial experience includes working for Shop Fitting Companies, General Builders and Joiners and Furniture Manufacturers.

In 1973, Colin was appointed as an Instructor at the Bristol Skillcentre, teaching machine woodworking, carpentry and joinery with trainees ranging from 19 to 56 years old.

During his time with the Skillcentre, he liased with companies to develop and deliver short training courses.

In 1980, Colin moved to Brunel College as a Lecturer in Machine Woodworking, teaching trainees at all levels. During his time at Brunel, Colin continued with his personal development obtaining further qualifications in CNC Machining, D32/33/34/36 TDLB Units.

In 1995, Colin was promoted to Head of School of Construction Crafts. He was directly responsible to the Head of Faculty, running the school, with 11 full time staff, 8 part time, 3 technicians and approx. 520 students.

In 1997, Colin left the College to work as an independent training provider working in association with Didac. He rapidly became fundamental to the Company’s development contributing to training courses, materials and quality assurance.

OTHER KEY ROLES - include liaisons with key stakeholders.

Martin James is a Chartered Engineer who has a B.Sc. degree in Production Engineering and Production Management obtained at Brunel University in London. Throughout his degree he was sponsored by G Plan Furniture Limited.

After six years with G Plan, working on the technology and organisation of furniture production, he joined Rye Machinery as a Sales Engineer selling CNC controlled profiling and surfacing machinery into industries processing plastics, composites, light alloys and wood.

He became the company's Marketing Director in 1987 and then its Managing Director in 1991 after gaining a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Cranfield.

After seven years as Managing Director of Rye Machinery he left to set up Business Practice International, a management Consultancy partnership specialising in the woodworking and associated industries.

Current extramural activities include Member of Council, Audit Committee and Faculty of Technology Advisory Committee – Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College. Past activities include Director and Past Chairman – Woodworking Machinery Suppliers Association, and Consultative Committee Member – London College of Furniture.

Tracy, started her career at Relyon Furniture Limited where she undertook a variety of administration roles. During this time she achieved qualifications in business administration and finance.

In 1991, she became Administrative Assistant to the Furniture Manufacturers Association, then BFM Training, when the regional offices went to national status. Her duties were general administration, secretarial and TEC administration.

After a maternity break, Tracy returned to BFM training on a part time basis, carrying out the same duties. In 1996, when BFM Bristol closed, Tracy continued in a similar role, working with an independent Training Provider.

In 1998, Tracy was appointed as a Part Time Administrative Assistant to Didac Limited continuing with similar roles as before with the addition of Financial Controller, responsible for invoicing, payments and the setting up of computerised systems.

In 2002, Tracy took the sole position of Financial Controller working directly with the Managing Director and Company Secretary.

Jennie has worked for a number of companies where she was responsible for general administration and setting up of systems.

Since joining the company in November 2001, Jennie has developed the administration and support system, before moving into her current position.

Jennie continues to support all staff and assist in general enquiries.

Elaine previously worked for a company where she was office manager, dealing with systems and working with clients until she left to start a family.

In 2005, she started working as a general assistant to a large store.

Elaine joined the company in June 2008 to continue the ever increasing role of general administration and support to the Directors and staff.

OTHER KEY ROLES - include the support of Equal Opportunities with the Managing Director and IAG.

Ray delivers training and assessing of learners following Wood Machining and Furniture Programmes.

He has worked for a number of companies specialising in Office, Joinery and Bespoke Furniture.

He has a great deal of knowledge in CNC Machining and CAD/CAM.

In 2007, Ray achieved the Level 3 in Information, Advice and Guidance and supported the company in its accreditation to the Matrix Standard.

In 1996 Sean started his career at a company in Bridgwater where he served his apprenticeship in Wood Machining Level 2 and 3 and Hand Skills.

Sean was then employed by Interserve who work under British Energy on the Hinkley Point Power Station site near Bridgwater. His role with Interserve was building maintenance of the entire Hinkley Point site, working in their wood working machine shop.

Later whilst he was with R.A Fitters (kitchen fitters), he decided to take the self employment route, this included first and second fix site work.

Then in 2006 Sean worked for Chalon UK in Hambridge who manufacture bespoke kitchens and custom designed house furnishings, Whilst there, Sean was their head machinist working as a valued team member within the machine shop.

Sean started with Didac in May 2008.

OTHER KEY ROLES - include support and development of Health and Safety Management of the Company

Steve started his health and safety career in 1993 as a health and safety trainer / assessor for a National Training Provider, Steve then moved on to work for the Training & Enterprise Council (TEC) as a safety advisor in 1999, and then across to the Learning & Skills Council (LSC) in 2001 where he progressed from managing health and safety for a London office to managing a team of five health and safety advisors covering the South West of England.

In 2008 Steve joined Didac as health and safety business development manager to add to the already considerable expertise within the organisation and to expand the range of health and safety services that Didac can offer to employers.

Mike served as an apprentice in Clifton, Bristol for three years. From there, he worked for a number of businesses, before setting up his own from 1982 to 1995. After selling his successful business, he has worked for a local college delivering Training and Development NVQ's.

Mike is an External Verifier for City and Guilds - Learning and Development NVQ.

In 2001, Mike was awarded with the Licentiateship in Training and Development. He was appointed Honorary Member of City and Guilds.

Mike delivers programmes including the Learning and Development NVQ (Full or Part) and the Professional Trainers Certificate.

Phil brings much experience to the company in the area of Furniture Skills. He has worked at a very "bespoke" company, making kitchens and custom designed furniture, he has also worked in a general joinery company. Phil completed an Apprenticeship both as a Wood Machinist and Cabinet Maker.

Phil works part time for Didac as he is a house husband with two children. Phil is also a member of the TA.

Pete started his career at Avalon furniture Ltd in 1967 as an apprentice polisher. He worked at Avalon for 18 years and during this time he gained his Part 1 and Part 2 in Furniture Craft, becoming a chargehand, and finally for the last four years, the Polishing Shop Manager. Whist at Avalon he also achieved the N.E.B.S. Certificate in Supervisory Studies.

In 1985 he joined a specialised coatings company in Ledbury, Hereford as the production manager.

From 1986 onwards he has worked for Sonneborn & Rieck Ltd, suppliers of industrial coatings for wood, plastic and metal worldwide, as a Technical Service Rep.

In 1995 he gained his D32, D33 qualification and joined Didac in 1997 as an assessor/trainer.

In 1996 he became the chief examiner for City & Guilds in Wood Finishing and achieved his Licentiateship of the City & Guilds of London in 1998.

Vicki brings to the company, many years of upholstery experience. Vicki runs her own successful upholstery company.

Previously, Vicki has taught City & Guilds upholstery in Further Education. She has also been an examiner for City & Guilds.