Meet the Portal team. We are lucky to have an incredibly talented team here at Portal, with expertise in a wide range of roles and industries, including former headteachers, secondary education, higher and further education, work-based learning, management, sports and more.

Find out more about the team below. Thinking of joining Portal? Head over to our Careers page.

Assessors

Andrea Matthews

Work Based Learning Manager

Swansea

Professional Experience

Worked in Work Based Learning for 23 years in different sectors including Leadership and Management. Qualified IQA and EQA.

If you were stranded on a dessert island, what 3 items would you want with you?

If I was stranded on a desert island I would take the following items: the bible, Tess of the Durberville’s book by Thomas Hardy, and a pot of Estee Lauder Moisturiser.

Cate Harnden

Management Assessor & IQA

North Wales

Professional Experience

Primary teacher. Secondary teacher History & Sociology. Marketing Assistant for Drake Books.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Until the age of 14 I wanted to be an Architect, from 14 onwards I wanted to be a writer.

Elfed Wood

Management Assessor

Elfed joined Portal in 2018 as a Welsh medium Management Assessor having previously worked as a Headteacher at four different primary schools in Carmarthenshire. Elfed is a trained ESTYN Peer Inspector.“I enjoy travelling, music, cooking and sport. I’m a proud Llanelli Scarlets supporter!”

Jonathan Watkins-Stuart

WBL Team Leader

Cardiff

Professional Experience

Education sector for 15 years in secondary education, Adult learning and work based learning.

Management experience as Lead tutor for Caerphilly Borough General Education and Coleg Gwent. WG project work and Line Management at Portal.

PGCE Secondary Education with QTS. Masters degree in graphic communication.

Life Outside Portal

“Enjoy going to the gym, socialising and have a dog called Captain.”

What is your favourite meal?

My Favourite meal is ravioli on toast with cheese on top.

Melissa O'Connor

Management Assessor ​

Newport

Professional Experience

17 years’ experience working within the education sector- in HE, FE and WBL. BSc Hons degree in Business and Sustainability. Management roles as HE Curriculum Co-Ordinator, Programme Manager and Module Leader. MA in Education.

Life Outside Portal

“I practice both mindfulness and meditation and really enjoy Yoga. I love to travel to new places and enjoy spending time making memories with my family.”

If you could live anywhere on this planet, where would you choose to live?

“If I could live anywhere on this planet, I would love to live in Kyoto, Japan as I love Japanese culture and the amazing food. It is one of the most beautiful cities that I have ever visited.”

Pauline Jones

Management Assessor & IQA

North Wales

Professional Experience

Experience of Work Based Learning in sectors including education. Worked in retail/operations management. Qualified IQA. Completing Level 5 Coaching and Mentoring.

Life Outside Portal

“I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, mountain walking in our beautiful national parks, and walking my dog, Sophie.”

What is your favourite place you have ever visited?

“My favourite place ever visited has to be Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia”

Lauren Curtis

Management Assessor

Cardiff

Professional Experience

Background in HR qualified CIPD Level 5

Law Degree from Cardiff University

Life Outside Portal

“I have a Yorkshire Terrier named Bella, she is very much a diva. I am very much a wine connoisseur, as long as its White, Red or Rose. I do like a good Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast being one of my favourites."

What is your favorite meal?

“Anything containing cheese really. If I could get away with eating just a block of cheese or a bowl of camembert for breakfast, lunch and tea, I would.”

Jake Lakin

Management and Sports Assessor

Barry

Professional Experience

Sports Degree. Worked in coaching, performance analysis and small business. ILM Level 5.

Life Outside Portal

“My main interest is football. I’m a Liverpool fan but have adopted Newport County as my ‘second’ team since moving to South Wales.”

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

“You will never get this day back so make the most of it. I’d be lying if I said I always adhered to this, but I think it’s quite a good thing to try and live by.”

Steve Cribb

WBL Learning Team Leader

Ystrad Mynach

Professional Experience

Leisure Background in Higher Education and initial career. Manager, Lifeguard, gym instructor, personal trainer and multi-sport coach. Rugby Coach. Completing Level 3 Coaching Award.

Who would be your ideal dinner party guests?

“John Lennon, Prof Ken Robinson and Bill McLaren.”

James Hodkinson

Management Assessor

Caerphilly

Professional Experience

Experience in Sports Facilities Management and Higher Education. FAW Tier 2 Academy football coach. MSc Sport Coaching and Pedagogy and UEFA B Licence qualified.

Life Outside Portal

“I am a huge Manchester United supporter and keen cricket player. I also love of cooking.”

What is your favourite season and why?

“Has to be summer for me. Sun, cricket and barbecues!”

Martin Thomas

Management Assessor

Merthyr Tydfil

Professional Experience

16 Years at Travis Perkins from Trainee to Regional Operations Manager. Role Operations Manager for construction firm. Business Management Degree from Glamorgan University.

Life Outside Portal

“I enjoy keeping fit, running, CrossFit, biking and have recently taken up golf. I love spending time with my family and friends.”

Who would be your ideal dinner party guests be?

Tom Jones, Ricky Gervais and Tom Hanks.

Liam Nagi

Sports Assessor

Rhondda Cynon Taff

Professional Experience

Ysgol Gyfun Y Cymer. Football Coaching and Performance at University of Glamorgan. Cardiff City FC Foundation.

Life Outside Portal

“I enjoy spending time with the family, walking the dog, holidays abroad, watching and playing sports (football) and playing poker.”

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

“Failure is a bruise not a tattoo.”

Evanne Fox

Sports Assessor

Ebbw Vale

Professional Experience

Fitness Manager (Nuffield Health). Personal Trainer. Teachers Assistant. Fitness Instructor.

Life Outside Portal

“In my spare time I enjoy playing the piano, weightlifting and CrossFit. I also have a keen interest in running. I love helping people on their fitness journey. I have a Golden Retriever named Bailey and enjoy our daily walks, going to the beach and camping in our van.”

What is your favourite place you have visited?

“My favourite place I have visited is America. I have been to New York, Chicago, Wisconsin, Indiana and Florida. Florida is my all-time favourite because I love rollercoasters and waterparks. I would love to eventually see other parts of the USA!”

Elan Bolton

Management Assessor

Monmouthshire

Professional Experience

Assistant Head of Literacy Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron. Deputy Head of Ysgol Gymraeg Penweddig - Learning and Teaching and Assessment. Principal of Ysgol Gyfyn Gwynllyw.

Who would be your ideal dinner party guests be?

“Owain Glyndwr –I would love to hear what fired him up to fight for Independence and what actually happened to him after he disappeared. Aneurin Bevan – what a local Welsh legend! And David Attenborough – a living legend – still influencing and informing in his 90s.”

Bethan Brown

Management Assessor

Caernarfon

Professional Experience

Graduated from Bangor University with a Law Degree LLB in 2011. Joined HSBC after graduating becoming a branch manager after five years and doing several managerial roles over the 11 years with the bank.

Life Outside Portal

“I have two dogs, a Malamute husky cross called Nala and a Springador called Coco. In my spare time I enjoy taking the dogs out and spending time with my family and friends.”

What would be your theme song?

“If I had a theme song it would be ‘You are never fully dressed without a smile’ from the musical Annie.”

Deb Lander

Trainee Assessor

Newport

Professional Experience

CACHE Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Childcare, Learning & Development (Management). CACHE Level 3 NNEB Nursery Nursing Diploma. Level 3 Special Educational Needs & Co-ordinated Provision. BTEC HND Business & Finance. ILM Level 5 Diploma in Principles of Leadership & Management.

Life Outside Portal

“I enjoy walking my Chocolate Labrador, Bumble, Pilates, reading and travelling.”

If you could live anywhere on this planet, where would you choose to live?

“Disneyworld, Florida.”

George Connelly

Welsh Speaking ILM Assessor

South and East

Professional Experience

Play Centre and Café General Manager
Covid Test Site Lead
Leadership Mentor

Life Outside Portal

“All Sports, All Foods, Harry Potter”

- What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

“What’s for you, never passes you by.”

Sian Jones

Professional Experience
Joined Portal January 2023,Past 11 years working for Tui, progressed to Senior Store Manager, job role was team engagement and sales management, driving results,BA Degree in Ceramics at UWIC


Life Outside Portal

“My hobbies include travelling & DIY, My dog is called Alan, he’s a dachshund and we like to go on long walks, but not when it’s raining.”

If you were stranded on a dessert island, what 3 items would you want with you?

“If I was stranded on a desert island, I would need with me my bed, my coffee and my chocolate ”

Luke Hemming

Management Assessor

Bridgend

Professional Experience

15 years’ experience working within the education sector- in HE, FE and WBL
Head of Sector in traineeships provision for Information Technology, Business Service and Employability
Qualified IQA, BSC in Information Systems

Life Outside Portal

“I am a Comic Book collector and long-term Liverpool fan, for better or worse. Housemate to Tessy the Jack Russell Cross.”

What is your favourite place you have ever visited?

“Vancouver, Canada. Beautiful scenery, friendly people and the most dangerous Mountain Biking you can hope for.”

Compliance and Conformance

Samantha Thole

Compliance Administrator

Cardiff

Professional Experience

Work based learning sector for 18 years. Auditing and Compliance sector for 15 years. Advocate of Apprenticeships having completed many apprenticeships and work-based learning qualifications.

Life Outside Portal

“I love to travel, love to spend time with my family and friends. I also love going to music concerts and theatre trips.”

What is your favourite place you have visited?

“New York at Christmas. Magical.”

Dania Edwards

Conformance Manager

Cardiff

Professional Experience

18 years’ Work Based Learning experience. Assessor. Operations Manager. Compliance Manager

Life Outside Portal

“I have a Ragdoll cat named Ted!”

Who would be your ideal dinner party guests?

“Peter Kay, Emma Thompson, and Michael Palin.”

Keane Watts

Compliance Administrator

Maesteg

Professional Experience

3 A-Levels (A, B, B). 10 GCSE’s (A – C). Semi-Professional Footballer at Llanelli Town.

Life Outside Portal

“I have a Border Collie named Bailey.”

What is your favourite place you have ever visited?

“My favourite place I’ve ever visited is the Whitsunday Islands off the Northeast coast of Queensland, Australia. Crystal clear water, white sand beaches and plenty of sun!”

Thomas Wines

Compliance Administrator

Maesteg

Professional Experience

10 GCSE’s (A-C)
2 A Level’s (A-C)
5 years administration experience in Civil Service (MOJ Port Talbot)

Life Outside Portal

“Playing, watching, or anything football!
1 Cat named Beau.
Previous pets include 3 budgies, 2 hamsters and 5 Guinea pigs”

Who would be your ideal dinner party guests be (choose 3)?

“Freddie Mercury
Jack Black
Gareth Bale
All would have some stories!”

Directors

Gwawr Booth

Managing Director

Gwawr has been with Portal since 2010, joining after spending more than fifteen years teaching in large secondary schools. During her classroom career she held a number of posts including Assistant Head, Head of Department and Key Skills Coordinator. She is passionate about helping achieve improvement across all types of teaching for learners of all abilities and aims for Portal to provide equal quality of training provision in both English and Welsh.

Janice Hart

Director of Quality

Cardiff

Professional Experience

Education sector working for Service Schools Education in Germany. Managed a Foundation Phase setting in London. Roles within the Work Based Learning Sector; assessing, quality assurance and delivering training within the Public Service sector.

Life Outside Portal

“My hobbies include walking, reading, cooking, and I enjoy socialising over a lovely meal and going to concerts. I am also interested in alternative therapies like reflexology, reiki, acupuncture and gardening.”

Who is your favourite actor?

“Tom Hardy.”

Clare Jeffries

Director of Operations

Caerleon

Professional Experience

Apprenticeship at 16. FE Lecturer In hairdressing and barbering at 23. Roles over the past 10 years Head of Apprenticeship and Operations Director and still only 33

Life Outside Portal

“I have two dogs named Lola Pugs and Lottie Do Da.”

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

“Always ask yourself what’s the right thing to do, is my first closely followed by Sometimes the best thing to do is to just do nothing.”

Finance

Sue Mackenzie

Senior Finance Officer

Cardiff

Professional Experience

Senior Finance Officer. Finance Assistant. Trained with ACT Training in Accounting and Finance and studied for my AAT Qualifications. Area Manager for a marketing company.

Life Outside Portal

“I enjoy reading and visiting historical places.”

Where is your favourite place in Wales?

“Snowdonia.”

Team Engagement

Sarah Heenan

Head of HR

Cardiff

Professional Experience

People and Development Manager. People and Development Officer. Learning and Development Manager. Various roles of HR, Learning and Development, Quality and Assessment.

Life Outside Portal

“I am a busy working mum, with two children, my husband and one cat. I enjoy food and wine (white wine in particular).

What is your favourite quote?

“The cave you fear to enter, holds the treasure you seek- Joseph Campbell.”

IQA/ Quality

Alison Knapman

IQA & Leadership & Management Practitioner & Tutor for Comme

South Wales

Professional Experience

Experience in Further Education sector. Achieved Teaching Certificate in Post Compulsory Education. Achieved BA (Hons) in Education & Training. Head of School for Hair & Beauty therapies and various delivery routes. MA in Leadership & Management. Faculty Director.

Life Outside Portal

“My hobbies include keeping fit and going to the gym. I am a profound shopper, love fashion and interior design. Family plays a big part in my life especially my grandson.”

Where is your favourite place in Wales?

“The Gower. I regularly have some short stays in the Kings Head Pub in Llangennith. They welcome dogs so we can have a nice weekend away together and do some amazing walks.”

Dawn Rice

Essential Skills IQA / Specialist

Cardiff

Professional Experience

Work based learning since 1996. Assessed and verified in Retail, Customer Service, Business Admin and Management. Worked in Quality and Operational Roles.

Life Outside Portal

“I’m interested in a variety of music genres (particularly 1980’s) and going to live shows. I enjoy walking as long as there is a cuppa and a cake at the other end! My favourite way to spend time is with my family and my 4 year old son, Arthur.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

“Treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself or the other piece of advice which resonates when on a diet you only need to remember t simple words – no thank you!”

Jo Norton

Quality Manager

South Wales

Professional Experience

Worked in cross-sector Leadership and Management roles for over 20 years. Education and Training organisations for 15 years. Executive coach and mentor and HPL in Strategic Leadership

Life Outside Portal

“I enjoy being outdoors particularly near the sea. I like a personal challenge and I am interested in minimalism.”

If you could live anywhere on this planet, where would you choose to live?

“Porthcurno, Cornwall”

Josh Young

ILM IQA

Llanelli

Josh joined Portal in 2019, having previously worked for several training providers from across the UK. He has 15 years of experience in a work-based learning context, and he has held a number of positions within the sector. His experience extends to a number of industries including management, hospitality, IT, and sports development. Josh has a keen interest in sport, particularly football, where he volunteers as a youth coach and currently runs a senior side in Cardiff.

Kim Ford

Lead IQA

Newport

Professional Experience

16 years’ experience in work-based. Experience as IQA and Lead IQA in routes including Management, Business Administration, Digital Learning Design, and Essential Skills. Qualified Assessor and IQA. Completing Level 7 Leadership and Management.

Life Outside Portal

“I enjoy finding different walks to take with my dog. I also love rugby and manage a kids rugby team.”

Where is your favourite place in Wales?

“My favourite place in Wales is Parrog in Newport.”

Gwyn Ellis

Professional Development Consultant

Porthmadog

Professional Experience

Primary School Teacher. Primary School Headteacher. University Lecturer. Leadership & Management Assessor.

Life Outside Portal

“I enjoy walking, cycling, reading and supporting Liverpool FC.”

Who would be your ideal dinner party guests be?

Michael Sheen, Jurgen Klopp and Billy Connolly

Relations

Phil O'Brien

Business Development Officer

Cardiff

Professional Experience

Employed in Work Based Learning since 2002 in both Assessor and Business Development roles. Msc Information & Communication Management University of Northumbria.

What would be your specialist subject on Mastermind?

“I have actually given this some thought! Liverpool Football Club, Blackadder, Father Ted or Star Wars.”

Shawn Staples

Business Development Officer

Cardiff

Professional Experience

FAW C licence. Football Coach. Learning & Development. Coaching & Mentoring

Live Outside Portal

“I love Football, films, family, and history.”

If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose and why?

“I would love to have met Malcom X. He stood up and said no, we shall not be oppressed as everyone should be equal. In his own words: I am against every form of racism and segregation, every form of discrimination. I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such.”

Jane Candy

Learner Recruitment Officer

Cardiff

Professional Experience

Worked front of house in industries including Manufacturing and Private Health Care. Moved into the Training environment in a Receptionist role. Worked in Admin and Sales.

Life Outside Portal

A walk along a beach on a crisp sunny day then a cosy pub lunch with friends is one of my greatest pleasures. Wandering around beautiful cities such as Venice, Dubrovnik, Prague, Paris etc is heaven. Being able to travel is a privilege I enjoy whenever I can.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Best advice I have ever received is that everything is temporary. So, enjoy every moment of the good times and know that eventually, the bad times will pass.

Deb Davison

Business Development Officer

Penyffordd

Professional Experience

Welsh Language Lecturer. Welsh Language Development Coordinator. Account Manager. Business Development.

Life Outside Portal

“My hobbies include gardening, baking and keep fit. I have cats called Moose and Meg and a dog called Nel. I’m interested in alternative medicine, wellbeing, history, and psychology.”

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

“If you truly want to change your life, you must first be willing to change your mind”

Marketing and Design

Laura Atkinson

Marketing and Communications Officer

Cardiff

Professional Experience

BA Hons in Photography and Journalism. Eight years marketing experience in industries including technology and medical devices). Currently undertaking Digital Marketing Apprenticeship.

Life Outside Portal

“I have two cats, Dusty and Oreo and two rabbits, Holly and Wally. I love making wax melts, “Hinching” the house, and Christmas!”

What is your favourite place you have visited?

“New York! I waited years to visit and when I finally got there it did not disappoint. Most magical city on the planet.”

Fiona Williams

Graphic Designer

Abergavenny

Professional Experience

Studied Media Studies at Swansea University. Worked within the marketing department for large retail company from Junior Designer to Head of Studio.

Life Outside Portal

“I have a rescue dog called Lottie and love to read.”

What would be your specialist subject on Mastermind?

My specialist subject on Mastermind would be the Harry Potter books. I have read or listened to them more times than I can count.