Meet the team

Managing Director - Mentor Training Solutions / Director - Mentor FLT Training

Richard started his career in the forklift industry way back in 1979 and has held senior roles and directorships in a number of the UK's leading materials handling companies. In 2001 Richard joined Mentor and a year later completed a management buy-out. Since then, we have more than quadrupled in size and are now firmly established as the leading provider of workplace transport training in the UK.

In 2015, Richard decided it was time for a new challenge and Mentor Training Solutions (MTS) was born. Providing a full training and support solution to the Quarrying, Waste Recycling, Utilities, Construction, Facilities Management and Access industries, MTS specialise in mobile plant, access equipment and third party training provision.

Although now well into his 50’s, Richard is one of those boring people who really enjoys work so as well as heading up MTS, he remains as a director of Mentor FLT Training but in a more consultative role.

Did you know? In 1971, Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, met Richard.

Operations Director

Specialising in mobile plant operations, Steve provides technical advice and contributes towards business development for the extractives, waste & recycling and construction industries. Steve's technical expertise has led him to be invited onto various industry boards such as the Quarries National Joint Advisory Committee (QNJAC) and the Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board (WAMITAB).

Alongside this role, Steve is also a Field Training Manager, overseeing and advising our plant instructors, and a qualified and experienced instructor himself, with over 15 years' experience within the education & training sector.

Did you know? Steve was crowned winner of Mentor's 'Clash of the Tash' competition after growing a fantastic moustache to raise funds for our recent 'Mission 25' charity campaign!

Director/Marketing Manager

Since joining Mentor in 2003, Emily has been involved with all aspects of Mentor's marketing. Emily is responsible for developing the company's marketing strategy - ensuring that Mentor's reputation, experience and wide product range is communicated across all industries in which we operate.

Throughout her time at Mentor, Emily has also developed a comprehensive knowledge of the training courses available, specialising in the mobile plant equipment, allowing her to also take on a business development role for the extractives and waste recycling industries.

Did you know? Emily is a skilled horse rider and carriage driver and has made several TV appearances with the horses and carriages, including Bargain Hunt and The Tweenies!

Access Training Manager

As Mentor’s dedicated Account Manager for access equipment, Adele works alongside companies with mobile elevated work platforms and scaffold towers to accommodate their training needs as well as actively promoting open courses at Mentor’s training centres across the UK.

Adele also manages the access team, which is made up of Training Co-ordinators and Instructors and regularly visits customers and instructors on site. 

Her time at Mentor and years of previous experience in the access industry means Adele is well placed to advise on training for all types of access platforms and mobile access towers.

Did you know? Adele raised money for Mentor’s recent charity initiative by doing a sponsored skydive from over 13,000 feet. 

Training Co-ordinator

Hannah is part of our access training team who are on hand to take bookings for new
and existing customers looking for working at height training.

As an experienced Training Coordinator for Mentor, Hannah also helps with the running of some of our major accounts and deals with general enquiries and incoming calls that come through the office. 

Did you know? Hannah has a black belt in martial arts. 

Account Manager

Starting out as a Training Co-ordinator at Mentor as part of the access team, Dannii has broadened her knowledge after moving over to the mobile plant department in 2015 developing the waste and materials sector and becoming the Waste and Recycling Account Manager.

Dannii helps prospect and develop new business for Mentor whilst communicating with existing customers to generate new sales, maintain and develop relationships and introduce new courses.

Did you know? Dannii completed the Pretty Mudder 5k obstacle course last year for Cancer Research along with some of the Mentor team. 

Account Manager

Tanya joined Mentor in 2012 as a Training     Co-ordinator for the mobile plant sector.         Since looking after some major accounts for Mentor, Tanya has now become a Mobile Plant Account Manager helping to prospect and develop new business for Mentor. 

Tanya is also in charge of the co-ordination of mobile plant training and the day to day supervision of assigned major accounts. 

Did you know? Tanya is a keen fitness enthusiast and loves to cross-fit in her spare time. 

Training Co-ordinator

Working closely with the mobile plant team, Jess books training for new and existing customers within the extractives industry and looks after some of our major accounts. 

Joining Mentor in January 2017 with customer service experience, Jess is also responsible for maintaining a positive relationship with our customers through follow up calls and regular interaction. 

Training Co-ordinator

Shelly joined the Mentor team in July 2017 as part of the Mobile Plant department. 
Shelly is a training co-ordinator for the mobile plant sector working alongside Dannii booking training for new and existing customers, focusing on the Waste and Recycling industry.

Did you know? Shelly enjoys long countryside walks in her spare time with her family and friends' dogs. 

Commercial Manager

Steph joined Mentor in October 2015 as a Training Coordinator for the access team. 

During her role as a Training Coordinator, Steph dealt with day to day bookings and enquiries whilst spending time growing the number of access customers at Mentor, in particular, the Facilities Management sector. 

Steph has now progressed in her role and is the Commercial Manager for the Construction Plant team where she oversees the day-to-day enquiries and sources training through our approved suppliers. 

Did you know? Steph attends the Glastonbury festival every year and runs an art workshop in the Kidz Field! 

Training Coordinator

Beth works alongside Steph as Training Coordinator for the Construction Plant industry. 

Beth is responsible for the administration and coordination of training for all major and key accounts whose operations are heavily dependent on construction training. 

Beth also works with approved subcontractor suppliers to coordinate courses that are not delivered directly by Mentor. 

Did you know? Beth was born in Australia and has lived there most of her life until moving the UK 2 years ago. She also has a keen interest in the deaf and hard of hearing community and she is trying to brush up on sign language in a new country. 

Marketing Co-ordinator

In her role as Marketing Co-ordinator, Sophie is responsible for promoting Mentor and maintaining a positive reputation for the brand. 

Joining the team in April 2017, Sophie regularly writes press for Mentor and ensures that the brand has a strong online presence. She also works to makes sure that Mentor are communicated as a quality training provider for the industries worked in and assists in creating a range of literature to help promote the brands services and values. 

Did you know? Sophie loves to travel and has recently visited Australia, New York and Mexico. 

Marketing Assistant

Emily joined Mentor in 2016 as a university placement student from Sheffield Hallam. 
Some of Emily's main tasks include updating the website and helping to run Mentor's social media accounts, ensuring they are up-to-date with the latest guidance and safety tips for the industries that Mentor operate in. 

Emily also assists in the creation of literature and email newsletters for the company and organising the exhibitions Mentor attend throughout the year.

Did you know? Emily Irish dances in her spare time and has competed in many large competitions with her troop and has danced at Disneyland Paris. 

Operations Director

Specialising in mobile plant operations, Steve provides technical advice and contributes towards business development for the extractives, waste & recycling and construction industries. Steve's technical expertise has led him to be invited onto various industry boards such as the Quarries National Joint Advisory Committee (QNJAC) and the Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board (WAMITAB).

Alongside this role, Steve is also a Field Training Manager, overseeing and advising our plant instructors, and a qualified and experienced instructor himself, with over 15 years' experience within the education & training sector.

Did you know? Steve was crowned winner of Mentor's 'Clash of the Tash' competition after growing a fantastic moustache to raise funds for our recent 'Mission 25' charity campaign!

Operations Planner

John has over 15 years of experience within the mobile plant industry and has transitioned from operating mobile plant equipment to working at Mentor in the operations department over 5 years ago. His previous operator experience has enabled John to understand and allocate jobs for the instructors efficiently. 

John's main responsibility is to allocate work to Mentor's many instructors who are based across the UK. He manages the availability on the skills set and location of the instructors, giving the best possible training dates out to all our customers. 

Did you know? John has recently bought a pet hamster called Nigel. 

Sourcing Manager

Tracy joined Mentor in late 2013 and spent 3 years as a Training Coordinator before being promoted to Sourcing Manager earlier this year.  

Tracy is responsible for recruiting new instructors for Mentor and her background specialising in the Waste and Extractives industries ensures that she recruits people who are right for the job role and have the necessary skills and experience to meet our customer’s needs. 

Tracy also sources and fosters relationships with the specialist suppliers we use to offer the complete training solution to our customers.

Did you know? Tracy is an avid coffee lover and enjoys making spreadsheets and writing stories at the speed of drying paint!  

Certification Co-ordinator

Starting out at Mentor in 2002 as a Major Accounts Administrator, Louise moved to the Certification Department as Certification 
Co-ordinator in 2011 overseeing all aspects of certification. 

Louise's daily responsibilities include processing and liaising with external accreditations to ensure all relevant standards have been met and processing all access and plant courses under the following accreditations; IPAF, PASMA, MPQC, EUSR, Safety Passport and NPORS. 

Did you know? Before working at Mentor, Louise used to operate the London Planetarium. 

Certification Co-ordinator

Working alongside Louise, Charlotte is a Certification Co-ordinator for Mentor, controlling all aspects of the certification process. 

Moving from Major Accounts Administrator in 2012, Charlotte now liaises with external accreditations ensuring that all standards are being met. 

As well as our own Mentor accreditation, Charlotte also processes all plant and access courses under a range of accreditations. 

Did you know? In her spare time, Charlotte likes to make hand-made jewellery. 

Certification Administrator

Holly is the newest member of the certification team joining Mentor in October 2017.

Working alongside Louise and Charlotte, Holly's main responsibilities includes dealing with the instructor's paperwork and ensuring that all test scores and delegates names are logged correctly. 

Holly also helps to control the certification process along with daily admin responsibilities.

Aswell as working with the certification team, Holly occasionally works with our Operations Manager dealing with invoicing and instructor allocations for upcoming work. 

Did you know? Holly is part of a accapella group and has done multiple performances at events for a range of charities including Bluebell Wood and Sheffield Children's Hospital. 

Financial Controller

In her role as Financial Controller, Claudia manages the day to day accounting functions within Mentor and our associated companies. 

Claudia also works with the central finance team to create a stand-alone finance function within MTS and provides an accounts contact within the business for both customers and suppliers. 

Did you know? Claudia spent 15 years of her life living in Canada and still can't quite lose the accent!