Employer Advisory Board
Direct insights from market leaders, ensuring your next move is backed by industry expertise.
Our Board
Our Employer Advisory Board brings together senior leaders from a diverse range of sectors to help shape the future of BlackRook’s training.
Their industry insight helps us understand the skills businesses need now, the challenges they face and how digital technology and AI are changing the workplace.
By working directly with employers, we can ensure our programmes remain relevant, practical and aligned with real business needs while building a strong employer voice to help influence future skills investment across the region.
We don’t build courses and hope employers need them. We work with employers to build the skills they need.
Jen Hicks-Jones
Legal Sector
Partner & Head of Real Estate, Higgs LLP
Governance, legal sector, professional services, commercial property
Stuart Godman
Logistics Sector
Chief Executive Officer, Pallet-Track Ltd & NorthStarr
Logistics, supply chain, automation, large employer
Paul Humpage
Manufacturing Sector
Managing Director, CS Labels Ltd & Pouches.co.uk
Manufacturing, innovation, SME growth, digital transformation
Nella Share
Recruitment & Employment Sector
Director, Thrive Employment
Recruitment, labour market, employability, workforce trends
Paul Cadman
Business Growth Sector
Managing Director / Business Leader
Business strategy, partnerships, SME growth, regional collaboration
Ash Raju
Hospitality & Retail Sector
McDonald’s Franchisee & Director, Endeavour Restaurants Ltd
Leadership, scaling businesses, operations, customer experience
Sam Shaw
People & Social Impact Sector
Head of People & Social Impact, BSN Group
HR, workforce development, culture, ESG
Chris Kirkland
Local Government Sector
Head of Business Partnerships & Investment, City of Wolverhampton Council
Economic development, inward investment, business support
Tom Williiams
Retail / Engineering Sector
Managing Director, Coinadrink Ltd
Retail technology, engineering, customer operations
Neil Cooper
Technology & AI Sector
Director, VOiD Applications
Digital transformation, AI adoption, software, technology
Rebecca Cottingham
Creative Industries Sector
Managing Director, Eighty3 Design Ltd
Branding, marketing, creative industries, design
Nicola Gittins
Higher Education Sector
Deputy Director of Student Entrepreneurship & Enterprise, University of Birmingham
Graduate employability, enterprise, innovation, entrepreneurship
Helen Sargeant
Higher Education Sector
Associate Director Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise, Wolverhampton University
No strength / perspective supplied
Why BlackRook?
- Industry-led trainers
- Real-world, practical delivery
- Strong employer connections
- Funded and commercial options
- Proven results
- Human, supportive approach
We don’t teach theory – we build confidence, capability and careers.
Not sure where to start?
Whether you’re an individual or a business, we’ll help you find the right route.