Meet the ESTC Team

Eileen Williams  Managing Director

Eileen, with Cliff Simpson set up ESTC Group in Oct 2005 having recognised a need for quality training and consultancy in the events industry.

Having spent 25 years in adult education with a range of training establishments, Eileen has been instrumental in developing quality training packages offered by the company. Her background in Early Years Education and project management with the Ministry of Defence lead to Eileen becoming involved in adult education. She was part of the development team introducing free Early Years Education to British Forces pre-schools overseas.

Within the company she continues to work with quality assurance and delivery of adult education.

Cliff Simpson  Managing Director

Cliff, with Eileen Williams, set up ESTC Group in Oct 2005, having recognised a need for quality training and consultancy in the events industry.

Having spent 30 years in the fire service, Cliff joined Crewe Alexandra FC as Stadium Manager and Safety Officer. He was a founder member of the Football Safety Officer Association in 1992 and was commended by the House of Lords for his contribution to stadium safety management post Hillsborough.

Recently work within the company has taken Cliff to South Africa and Greece, where he has delivered training and undertaken consultancy role in stadium and event safety management.

Michelle Gauntlett  Office Manager

Michelle joined the company in September 2008 having returned to England from Germany where she worked as a legal secretary within the Court Martial system for the British army. Since joining the company she has implemented administration systems, which have supported the growth and development of the company. She has recently been promoted to Office manager and now has responsibility for the day to day running of the office and staff, based in Nantwich. She continues to be involved in managing the training of learners and work directly with a number of employers.

Mike Halden  Funding Manager

Mike joined us in January 2009 as a funding manager.  He is responsible for the management of government contracts and works continuously to ensure we meet the requirements of each contract.  Having had a successful career in engineering and holding the responsibility for apprenticeship training, Mike is very aware of the impact that training for young people has in the work place.
Mike also held a number of posts within the Training and Enterprise Council (TEC) and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) providing us with a key person familiar with government funding

Lynn Dewar  Quality Assurance Manager

Lynn joined ESTC group as a permanent member of staff in April 2009, having worked for us as an assessor and trainer since March 2006. She now has the responsibility for the Quality Assurance for training. As a qualified primary school teacher, Lynn is very familiar with the QA system that is needed to meet both company standards and government standards in the delivery of adult education.

Lynn continues to work as an event supervisor for ESTC Agency and at Crewe Alexandra FC.

Ben Douglas  Training Co-Ordinator

Ben has joined the company as an office administrator in March 2010. He is working to support all areas of the business as directed. Having left school, Ben has held a number of jobs roles and now feels he is settled in his new role at ESTC. He has recently been registered on the apprenticeship scheme for administration at level 2, and is keen to become involved in the promotion and agency aspects of the company.

Dave Milbourne  Sales Representative

Dave has joined the company in April 2010 having working with us freelance for 18 months in the role of assessor. His background in event and safety management includes Rugby League, Golf tournaments and Football. Dave will be tasked with the development of the commercial arm of the business. This will include courses, promotions, and agency staff engagement.