Event Background

Unlocking Employability 2017: Speaker Biographies

Event background

Unlocking Employability will help you, our students and graduates to engage with employers in a more meaningful way. We hope you’ll be inspired by our speakers and please do ask questions to help you to gain insights into the needs of the changing labour market and to develop your work readiness.

Event Outline:

Date:Wednesday 1st March 2017. Venue:Maxwell Upper Hall, University of Salford

Time:

1.15pm (registration and stands open for students)

1.45pm – 2.00pm (opening and key note)

2.00pm – 3.30pm (round table discussions). (Break at 2.45pm for 10 mins). 15 mins approx. on each discussion topic and then employers rotate, students stay seated.

3.30pm – 3.50pm (Question Time panel discussing key points brought out of round table discussions).

3.50pm -4.15pm (Close, final networking and stands)

5 discussion topics for students and university staff, led by employers/university staff to discuss:

•Making the successful transition from university into industry

•Graduate/placement attributes and how to develop career resilience

•Finding and optimising opportunities and networks (inc via Social Media)

•Effective CVs, applications and interviews

•The value of work experience, placements and entrepreneurial ways of working

Speaker biographies

John Walmsley, Labour Manager, The Casey Group Ltd.T: @caseycompaniesLinkedIn: The Casey Companies. W:

Industry Experience – 18 years. Qualifications – BSc. Quantity Surveying (1st). Business Management (Foundation Degree).

Following completion of 3 ‘A’ Levels I decided that rather than attend university full time my preferred route into employment would involve some form of part-time training (day release) whilst working for an employer full time.

I was lucky enough to be given an ideal opportunity by The Casey Group Ltd as a trainee surveyor, and following completion of a HNC then degree via a 5 year part time route I was then given a further opportunity to study a foundation degree in Business Management, this due to my role at the business evolving significantly following the completion of my QS. Degree into labour management.

The role has continued to evolve and my responsibilities have broadened to supplement the labour management of our direct trade employees;

Overseeing the company’s apprenticeship and training requirement and trade bonus scheme;
Advising business leaders on employment legislation and ensuring compliance;
Dealing with traditional HR duties for the business (recruitment, redundancies, performance management, absence and sickness management, employment terminations);
Active member of the company’s corporate social responsibility team.

My direct report is the Managing Director of the Group of Companies and this opportunity has allowed me to become more involved in strategy within the business and have an input into key decisions that are made on a regular basis.I have enjoyed my time in the construction industry, no two days are the same and I have been involved in a plethora of different projects across Greater Manchester and beyond. One of the most satisfying parts of the job is when you know you have been a small part of the changing physical and social landscape of the North West and hopefully improved people’s lives in the process.

Dan Kelsall, Founder, Vonkel. T: @vonkel_app W:

Vonkel is the brainchild of entrepreneur Dan Kelsall who has a background in recruitment. Vonkel is a free app (available from Apple App Store Feb 2017) for young people to help them to stand out in the jobs market, as an alternative to CVs.

Lavinia Goddard, co-founder of Vinejuice Ltd, an Urban Christian media company on a mission to connect communities by promoting vibrant living.

T: @vinejuice, W:

Vinejuice was officially started in 2015 funded by angel investment offered to Lavinia after she won Salford University’s Tech Angel competition that was part of the first Creative Entrepreneur event held in Media City. In the 2 years that Vinejuice has been in operation Lavinia and her business partner have established themselves as radio presenters featuring regularly on national Christian radio, they have launched their own online radio station, joined the MOBO voting committee to determine award nominees, and are on the verge of launching an international TV series that’ll broadcast to millions on the largest faith-based TV network in the world.

Before jumping on the rollercoaster ride of the entrepreneur life Lavinia had a 10 year career working in the clothing industry as a merchandiser and product developer for brands such as Reebok, Adidas and Henri Lloyd. As well as running Vinejuice full-time Lavinia also serves on the board of the Gospel Music Industry Alliance.

Dave Smithson – Therapy Services Coordinator, Anxiety UK.T: @AnxietyukW:

I am the Therapy Services Coordinator at Anxiety UK, responsible for all aspects of service delivery for the user-led charity, providing access to therapy services for people with a range of anxiety, stress and anxiety-based depression.

In addition to my professional knowledge of dealing with mental health conditions I have experience as a school Governor and charity Trustee, both roles where acting as a critical friend to the senior leadership teams was a core requirement.

My role also includes overseeing the clinical governance and quality assurance of all therapy provision, monitoring evaluation outcomes and reviewing feedback from clients on their user experience.

As a service user led organisation I have also represented the charity speaking on behalf of its members on various forums and working groups including a global review of outcome data for anxiety and depression, the APPT standards set out by the RCPsych and the current review of choice in IAPT services delivered by NHS England.

Parliamentors, The Three Faiths Forum (3ff) T:@threefaiths W:

ParliaMentors is a UN award-winning leadership programme where university students of different faiths and non-religious beliefs collaborate to create real social change while being mentored by MPs.Through expert-led training, support from local and national NGOs and access to Westminster, ParliaMentors gives students the networks and skills they need to affect real change in their communities, in their careers and in the political arena.

Students on the programme will:

See politics in action:Gain a unique insight into the political process while being mentored by MPs and Peers.
Create social change:Work in mixed-belief teams to create social action projects with support from leading charities.
Develop leadership skills:Learn through direct experience, expert-led training workshops and events.
Build networks:Create new professional and personal links with institutions and organisations and by joining our Alumni Network.

Since 2007, over 300 people have graduated from the programme and now form our vibrantalumni network, continuing to engage in the many opportunities on offer to former participants.Open for applications, see website for details.

PC Jimmy Riley, GMP, University of Salford Campus Police. T: @gmpoliceW:

Find out about opportunities and career pathways with Greater Manchester Police.

Katie Gallagher, Managing Director, Manchester Digital. T: @McrDig W:

Katie Gallagher is the Managing Director of Manchester Digital, the independent trade association for the North West’s digital sector.

Katie was previously business development director and over the past three years she has been responsible for developing and delivering the overall strategy for Manchester Digital. Katie has led the delivery of the talent and skills programme which has helped hundreds of North West businesses to recruit and retain the best digital talent.

Matthew Wallis, Cost Manager, Turner and Townsend, Specialist in QS, Real estate, infrastructures and natural resource programmes

T: @turnertownsendLinkedIn: Turner and Townsend

Matthew is a current masters student at the University of Salford and can offer insights the day to day working life of a Cost Manager, Project Manager and Project Controls Engineer at Turner and Townsend as well as information on the variety of opportunities open to students and graduates.

Connor Robinson, MRICS Chartered Senior Cost Consultant, Mace Cost Consultancy Ltd.T: @MaceGroupW:

Connor Robinson has over 14 years’ experience within the UK construction industry. He is based in Mace’s Manchester office and is currently managing projects in excess of £45m throughout the north.

He began his career at a Quantity Surveying practice in Salford and attended Salford College on a day release basis to complete his ONC and HNC in Construction. Following this Connor undertook his BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying at Salford University and later also completed a post graduate MSc in Construction Law.

Connor is the Mace Cost Consultancy workplace fit-out sector lead and account lead for Barclays PLC and DEFRA in the Northern region. Connor is also heavily involved in the Mace graduate assessment activities.

Annie Pollard, Senior Studio Audience Manager, BBC Television. T: @BBCCareers W:

Annie came to see a sit-com at TVC when she was 14yrs old and fell in love with the BBC and knew that she wanted to work here. So at 16 she left school and begged and begged until they gave in and gave her a job. Almost 30yrs later she is still here loving her job! Over the past few years she has gone back to Uni (in her spare time) and is now the proud recipient of a Degree (in Film) and a Masters (in scriptwriting for tv).

Annie is currently the Senior Studio Audience Manager within the Studio Audiences team in Marketing & Audiences. She has been working within this team for 7 years and works on shows like Strictly Come Dancing, EdFest, Later with Jools, R1 in Ibiza and Mrs Brown’s Boys providing audiences to Productions and H&S to audiences attending shows. The team work on over 1500 shows and events every year and it’s a busy and challenging area of the BBC.

Previous to working in M&A Annie has spent the majority of her BBC career within Artist Contracts in Rights where she spent her days arguing with agents over money on shows like Top of the Pops, Noel’s House Party, Eastenders, Top Gear, Absolutely Fabulous and the Louis Theroux celebrity series. Organising work permits, begging local authorities to give us last minute child licences, working is a busy office environment. A big part of her role there was looking after Presentation Promotions (TV and Radio trails) working on massive BBC campaigns like Perfect Day.

Mark Bargh, Founder and Director, ROQ Strategic software testing solutions.T: @ROQTALK W:

Mark has more than 25 years’ experience in the software testing industry and has personally witnessed the changes that have taken place as the sector has grown at an almost unbelievable rate. Mark had held senior roles in a number of international organisations when he spotted a gap in the market for a UK-based software testing centre of excellence. The vision: to provide a flexible approach to making software work, to help global companies remain competitive and successful with a sound reputation.

Together with Stephen Johnson, Mark launched ROQ in 2009 and over the past eight years, the company has grown from a small office in Preston to its current 150-seat, purpose built headquarters in Chorley. From the very start, success for ROQ meant not only delivering an excellent level of service to its clients, but it also meant being a great place to work. Mark and Stephen work tirelessly to create a welcoming, supportive and collaborative environment where every colleague is an integral part of the team and is encouraged to contribute and add real value every day; just as important as this is being able to have fun whilst working hard.

Neil Clough, MD, Prime.Recruitment to recruitment, sales recruitment and sales training. T: @WorldofPrime. W:

Neil is known for winning the hearts of the nation and the respect of Britain's business titans during his appearance on the BBC hit TV series The Apprentice. Taking teams to victory, breaking sales records and delivering an exceptional motivational talk is just part of what made Neil an outstanding candidate. He is still the undisputed sales champion of the show.

Since his Apprentice appearance, Neil co-founded an award winning sales training and recruitment business which has seen rapid growth with offices now in both Manchester and London. He is also a key figure in the Leadership team of a Digital Marketing business which has become one of the UK's fastest growing franchises.

Having worked in sales for over 18 years, at every level from consultant through to director, Neil is highly experienced in both developing sales talent and motivating workforces. Neil will share with you the best routes to sales success while motivating you to find your ‘why’ and get started on your own journey.

MuzzamilBaig, Automation Engineer, The Technology Business Ltd. LinkedIn: The Technology Business Ltd. W:

Nature of business: automation engineering. Industries: petrochemical, pharmaceutical, automotive, food processing and general manufacturing. Specialties: quality assurance, vision inspection, metrology, material handling and robotics

Since moving into our workshops in 2012, we have heavily developed our new premises with purpose built laboratories and the highest quality equipment to ensure our engineers have everything needed to develop high standard products.

As a company we believe that it is important to have a comprehensive service package and that's why we offer a wide range of services which include Electronic & Electromechanical Repair, Project Management, Factory Maintenance and Atex Inspections (In-house Compex approved engineers). Our business is the delivery of solutions to industrial, utility and commercial customers who utilise automation, control, energy, complex processes and computerised systems. We support the manufacturing, food processing, service, pharmaceutical, chemical, and aerospace, aggregates and utility sectors. The Technology Business delivers a wide range of automation services, such as new projects, retrofits, upgrades, electronic repairs, electro-mechanical repairs, site services, product sales, condition monitoring, energy audits, saving schemes, and asset management/stock control.

Careers and Employability Support.

If after the event you would like to explore your career options further, please take a look at our career planning guide:

Throughout the semester we also run a number of careers workshops to help develop your employers. These range from CVs, preparing for recruitment fairs and interviews, self-awareness and personal branding, social media for job search to name a few.

If you would like help to review your CV or LinkedIn profile or a careers appointment to kickstart your career plans, please book via Advantage:

We also have a number of online resources from guides to videos to help you to gain insights into the labour market and how best to prepare for interviews, assessment centres etc:

You can also search for placements, work experience or graduate schemes via Advantage:

Upcoming Careers events (on and off campus) 2017:

4th March 2017 – Train to Teach9.30am – 3.30pm. Manchester Town Hall.

4th March 2017 - IMA Early Career Mathematicians’ conference. 10.00am – 5.00pm. AutoTrader UK, 1 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN.

4th March 2017 – BBC Get In event for Journalism and Production Trainee schemes. 10.00am – 12.45pm and 2.00pm – 4.45pm. Q5, Quay House, BBC MediaCityUK, Salford Quays. Booking required and tickets are limited, book early!!

5th March 2017 – Manchester Council Volunteering Open Day. 11.00am – 3.00pm. Sale Water Park Visitor Centre. Meet RSPB staff and volunteers.

8th March 2017 –Psychology & Alumni Professional Networking Event 5.00pm-7.00pm, A216 and concourse, Allerton Building, book via Advantage:

15th March 2017 – Compass Jobs Fair for social work and social care disciplines. Thinktank, Millennium Point, Birmingham.Booking required.

22nd March 2017 –ELS Industry Insight 2.00pm-4.00pm, G10 Peel Building, book via Advantage:

22nd March 2017 – Liverpool Spring Careers Fair. 11.00am – 3.00pm. University of Liverpool,the Crypt Hall, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.

31st March & 1st April 2017 – The National Construction and Engineering Exhibition. NEC, Birmingham.

5th April 2017. Manchester Jobs Fair. 10.00am – 2.00pm.The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. This event is open to everyone.

4th May 2017. Graduate Recruitment Fair. 10.30am – 4.00pm. University of Manchester. The Armitage Centre, Fallowfield, Manchester.

8th May 2017 – Northwest Social Work Show. The Hilton, Deansgate, Manchester. Booking required.