Meet our Accreditation and Employer Services team

Whilst you might know NCFE for our range of regulated qualifications (think apprenticeships, V Certs and T Levels), did you also know that we provide customisable and endorsed unregulated qualifications that help organisations to meet their bespoke training requirements? 

Our brilliant Accreditation and Employer Services team is the driving force behind this provision – here, we get to know the people behind the team by finding out more about their individual roles, what their day-to-day involves, and why they love working in such an effective team. 

To learn more about what our Accreditation and Employer Services can offer and the benefits that accredited training can provide, you can visit our Accreditation webpage. 

Heidi Comley, Accreditation Business Development Manager

What does your role involve?

My role is to promote, develop and build meaningful relationships with key stakeholders which include employers, colleges and training providers. I provide support for them to explore non-regulated bespoke solutions for their organisations which include accredited customised qualifications and endorsement of learning and development programmes.

How long have you worked at NCFE?

I joined the Accreditation and Employer Services team as Business Development Manager in October 2023 and have worked at NCFE for six years. I previously worked within the Business Development team, supporting new and approved centres with curriculum planning, sector support and guidance. My extensive experience within recruitment, human resources, B2B and welfare to work sectors has taught me a variety of valuable skills which supports my current role within NCFE.

What do you love most about working in the Accreditation team?

I love providing exciting opportunities for organisations who want to work innovatively to support and deliver their own bespoke programmes and qualifications. I am constantly learning, I really enjoy meeting new people and hearing new perspectives about education and business.

Tell us an interesting fact!

I lived and worked in Africa for 6 months for a local charity supporting children’s access to education.

Michelle Storey, Accreditation Manager  

What does your role involve?  

“Besides managing the team, a fundamental part of my role is to develop and maintain relationships with strategic partners, key customers and employers. This involves helping them to explore non-funded blended solutions that include a combination of accredited customised qualifications and endorsement of CPD programmes, with a focus on designing something really purposeful and bespoke to their needs.”  

How long have you worked at NCFE?  

“I’ve worked at NCFE for almost 20 years and started as an Administrator back in June 2003. I knew within my first week that I wanted to have a successful career here and that there were great progression opportunities available. In 2006, I secured a role as Accreditation Officer and then again in 2016 as Accreditation Manager.” 

What do you love most about working in the Accreditation team?  

“Working with my fantastic team day in, day out. Also, no two days are the same! We work with such a diverse range of customers, and I find it interesting learning all about their organisation as well as their bespoke products, and exploring how we can collaborate, support and add value.”  

Tell us an interesting fact!  

“I’m the BIGGEST Backstreet Boy fan and love eating beef Oxo Cubes, yum!” 

Michael Smith, Accreditation Officer 

What does your role involve?  

“My job is really varied. In our team, we cover a lot of the functions that are separate departments for awarding within NCFE. For example, I could be helping support a sale one minute and helping develop a qualification the next.” 

How long have you worked at NCFE?  

“I started in 2012 in our Customer Support team where I worked for just over two years. I was the Accreditation Champion within our team at the time, so it was a natural progression to Accreditation Officer once a job became available.” 

What do you love most about working in the Accreditation team?  

“The variety! No two days are the same.”  

Tell us an interesting fact!  

“I was once on Australian national news!” 

Gill Childs, Accreditation and Employer Services Officer 

What does your role involve?  

“I am the newest member of the Accreditation and Employer Services team, after starting in March 2023. My main responsibility is to support customers who are interested in delivering bespoke qualifications and CPD programmes unique to their organisation.” 

How long have you worked at NCFE?  

“Although I have just joined the Accreditation team, I have worked at NCFE for nearly five years. I previously worked in the Learning Resources team, supporting centres with resources and the platforms that they run on. Before that I was employed at a training provider, supporting employers and students with their apprenticeship journey and have been in the education sector for many years.” 

What do you love most about working in the Accreditation team?  

“From the moment that I met the team, I knew that I was going to enjoy this role. It’s great to work with such a supportive team, who have a wealth of knowledge of unregulated and customised qualifications. They’ve helped me to successfully transition from my previous role and get to grips with the day-to-day functions of the team.” 

Tell us an interesting fact!  

“I love all things to do with the ocean and water, including swimming, paddleboard racing and long beach walks with my dogs. I just love the energy that is generated by the ocean waves. I’d prefer if it was in warmer climates than the North Sea, but just love our fantastic coastline!” 

John-Joe Tams, Accreditation Administrator 

What does your role involve?  

“My role within the team is the Accreditation Administrator. This consists of managing our customer conversations with new customers, as well as working within an administrative role to support our Accreditation Officers in reviewing and managing our product applications.” 

How long have you worked at NCFE and what has your career journey been?  

“I’ve worked at NCFE for almost two years now after joining as an apprentice when I was 19.”  

What do you love most about working in the Accreditation team?  

“I enjoy many parts of my role, but my favourite thing is that no two days are the same, which gives me a lot of excitement around what my work day might involve. I also love to see the wide range of applications we get for some very niche qualifications and programmes.” 

Tell us an interesting fact!  

“I love the outdoors and countryside areas – my favourite place is the Scottish Highlands.”  

If you’d like to give your bespoke in-house training and qualifications something extra, with official recognition from one of the UK’s biggest awarding organisations, visit our Accreditation and Employer Services webpage to find out how we can support you.  

Pictured: our Accreditation team at a recent event