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Rob Sandford (Chair)

Rob became Chair of the Board of Trustees in June 2022 having served as a trustee for 10 years prior.  Rob became involved with Education Business Partnership having worked at Vodafone and getting involved in the highly successful Take a Change programme.

Rob is the Sales Director for Three Business based in Reading having held Senior Sales roles within Vodafone and O2 throughout his career in Telecommunications.

As a father of 3 boys Rob is passionate about the role that EBP has in bridging the gap between education and the workplace to ensure that young people entering business have the skills and experiences that they need to have successful careers in whatever sector they choose.

Ian Hanson

Ian Hanson spent 50 years in the IT and Telecommunications sector mostly in sales and marketing. His last 7 years as owner/manager of a managed data network company.

Gareth Ward

A locally grown and educated member of EBP. Gareth started volunteering over 15 years ago and quickly became appointed to the board as a Trustee and has since been Deputy Chairman for the past 7 years. Gareth started his own business, Environmental Solutions, 20 years so has great working knowledge of entrepreneurialism, business start ups and generating enthusiasm in all that he gets involved with.

Emma Smith

Emma is a qualified secondary teacher, Careers Leader and independent careers advisor, and has 20+ years’ experience working in schools, specialist providers and FE colleges in West Berkshire. She has been a member of the board since July 2017, and is an advocate for technical education, championing T Levels nationally in a Gatsby Charitable Trust project role.

Jane Coley

Jane Coley has a wealth of experience in education with a career spanning over 25 years, most recently as CEO of the Ascend Learning Trust. Prior to this she held positions as Director of Education at the Anthem Schools Trust and Headteacher of Brackenhale School.  She joined the EBP Board of Trustees in May 2023.

Karl Harris

Karl Harris joined the EBP in September 2021. Karl is a senior technology leader delivering impactful change in the Information Technology sector.

Richard Drury

Richard has been a member of the Trustee Board since 2015. His background as a Human Resources Director for large engineering and technology organisations brings a thorough knowledge of the future capabilities required by many UK businesses.

Steve Greenwood

Steve Greenwood is a Head of Department, for Behaviours and Attitudes at Newbury College, including T levels and Careers lead. He is a qualified teacher and one of the managers at the college and has worked in further education for 29 years. A former college director and education consultant, Steve has worked at 12 colleges including four London colleges – including as a deputy principal – plus colleges across the UK in Wiltshire, Cheshire and for Newcastle College group in the north east of England. Steve is IOSH and safeguarding trained to level 3 and joined the college in 2017.

Prior to his appointment, he was director and owner of education consultancy Stephen Greenwood Services Ltd.

Phil Hobbs

Anna-Marie Elsey

Priyali Chougule

Priyali is a highly experienced professional with over 19 years of experience in the IT service industry. She has worked for esteemed clients such as RBS, UBS, Telefonica, Virgin Media, etc while working for technology consultancies like Accenture, Atos Group and NTT DATA.  Recognised for her innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, Priyali is driven by a passion for growth and excellence within the workspaces.

Background – Completed Electronics Engineering (BEng) and then pursued an MSc in Modern Digital Communication Technologies with Business Management at the University of Sussex, Brighton, UK,  where topped the university as an academic achiever.

Current Roles

1. oversees critical functions ensuring client satisfaction and product quality. Priyali is not only a technology leader but also a staunch advocate for Diversity, Inclusion & Equity, particularly empowering women in IT, works with UN Women UK, has been interviewed on a few Radio shows and serves as a Mentor on many esteemed panels. As a STEM Ambassador, she inspires young minds to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Priyali’s track record includes establishing an award-winning Shared Services model, leading transformative programs, and winning prestigious awards such as recognised as a ‘Role Model for Ethnic Minority’ and ‘Business Innovation Idea’ awards.

2. Priyali is also serving as Non-Executive Director (NED) for a charity called ‘Seeefi UK’.

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