Wesley Lawson

As the Business Account Manager, I am responsible for overseeing a series of apprenticeship programs that encompass Civil Engineering, Construction Site Management, Quantity Surveying, Business Administration, Customer Service, and Finance. I lead a dedicated team of three, which includes a Monitoring Officer and an Apprenticeship Business Administrator. Together, we engage in a multifaceted array of activities essential to the success of our apprenticeship program. My primary responsibilities centre around two key areas.

The first involves the onboarding of new apprentices, where I strive to create a welcoming and informative experience that lays the foundation for their professional development. I regularly communicate with current employers to discuss the apprentices' progress reports and collaborate closely with curriculum managers and assessors to ensure that each apprentice receives the necessary support and guidance to excel. My team and I meticulously monitor attendance and address any instances of tardiness or unexcused absences by promptly communicating with employers to uphold transparency and accountability. A significant aspect of my role is the pursuit of business development, which entails seeking new employer partnerships and expanding our existing relationships. This requires strategic outbound calls, attendance at industry events, and engagement with trade publications to remain updated on the latest product developments.

My objective is to position our college as the preferred training provider within the Greater London area. Recently, I undertook a particularly exciting challenge: establishing new business opportunities in the rapidly evolving sectors of solar panel installation, electric vehicle charging technology, and, unexpectedly, industrial battery installations. This endeavour led to a collaboration with BYD, a world-renowned Chinese manufacturer in this field. I was fortunate to cultivate a strong business relationship with their director, who proposed an innovative joint partnership. Through this collaboration, our college can utilise their industrial batteries as essential training tools, fostering mutual benefits by sharing energy savings from the installations. I take great pride in this accomplishment, as it exemplifies my ability to forge new partnerships within a remarkably short time frame. This achievement has not only enhanced our college's reputation but also opened doors to exciting marketing and business development opportunities within the burgeoning energy sector.

Since engaging with the training provider sector of further education (FE) colleges, I have identified a persistent challenge that affects contractors and local authorities implementing Section 106 agreements. Specifically, constructors tasked with developing new buildings are mandated to recruit local individuals, particularly apprentices. A significant obstacle impeding the success of this policy is the limited pool of local applicants. The reasons for this shortage are multifaceted, encompassing a lack of awareness regarding available roles, negative perceptions of the industry, advanced age of potential candidates, and the predominant focus of schools on sixth form education.

Consequently, local residents are deprived of opportunities. In response to this challenge, I initiated the development of a school building construction competition titled "Building Your Future." This initiative was established in collaboration with a prominent architectural firm, and together we have successfully engaged some of the leading construction firms in the United Kingdom. The primary objective of this competition is to inspire the current generation, with particular emphasis on young women and minority groups. The prevailing notion that construction roles are predominantly suited for men, as perpetuated by familial and societal influences, undermines diversity within the industry.

It is imperative to encourage young individuals, particularly women and minorities, to explore careers in construction. Many high-demand positions necessitate proficiency in STEM subjects; however, the number of applicants who fulfill these qualifications remains low, resulting in the undervaluation of construction as a viable career path.

To inspire future generations, it is essential to showcase the vast potential within the construction sector, highlighting achievements from historical structures such as the Great Pyramids to contemporary edifices like The Shard. A comprehensive strategy should encompass all facets of the profession. I propose organising a borough-wide construction competition across Brent, Camden, and Westminster. This event would engage young participants and their families, cultivating enthusiasm for the industry while establishing a link between education and career opportunities, in alignment with the Gatsby Benchmarks

• I was tasked with driving the growth of employer engagement activities related to STEM-related apprenticeships at the West London Institute of Technology, Uxbridge College, and Harrow College. My role necessitated close collaboration with employers, apprentices, and the academic curriculum. Additionally, I managed the onboarding processes for both employers and apprentices. A key responsibility included overseeing Health and Safety, which involved conducting annual site visits.
• For the majority of employers I engage with, I provide support for the recruitment service, offering guidance on specific qualifications and attributes they seek in prospective candidates. Furthermore, I have developed a series of roundtable discussions specifically oriented towards employers, addressing technical inquiries relevant to their chosen programs, as well as exploring Levy and non-Levy funding options and the commitments expected from both employers and the college.
• One achievement of which I am particularly proud is the introduction of the Biomedical Devices Technician Rehabilitation Engineer pathway, and I am looking forward to the implementation of Healthcare Associate apprenticeships. I successfully garnered support from the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine, as well as local NHS Trusts. This initiative was catalyzed during discussions with Barts Hospital, where it became evident that there is a significant shortage of skilled clinical engineers and alarmingly low numbers of young individuals entering this profession.

As an Enterprise Coordinator, I serve as a vital link between employers and educational institutions—schools and colleges—through the local Enterprise Adviser Network (EAN). This innovative network is dedicated to inspiring young people and equipping them for the ever-changing landscape of the workforce, all while assisting educational institutions in enhancing their careers and enterprise initiatives. Collaborating closely with career leaders, employers, and dedicated volunteers, my mission is to integrate the EAN into the Local Enterprise Partnership's skills strategy. This integration streamlines and enhances the pathways for employers to engage with schools and colleges, fostering meaningful connections and opportunities.

As an Enterprise Coordinator, I was a vital link between employers and educational institutions—schools and colleges—through the local Enterprise Adviser Network (EAN). This innovative network is dedicated to inspiring young people and equipping them for the ever-changing workforce landscape, all while assisting educational institutions in enhancing their careers and enterprise initiatives. Collaborating closely with career leaders, employers, and dedicated volunteers, my role was to integrate the EAN into the Local Enterprise Partnership's skills strategy. This integration streamlines and enhances the pathways for employers to engage with schools and colleges, fostering meaningful connections and opportunities.

A critical aspect of assessing a school's progress and success is the implementation of the Gatsby Benchmarks. These benchmarks are instrumental in elevating young people's aspirations and ensuring equal access to diverse career pathways. They empower students to develop essential skills and a proactive mindset necessary for achieving career wellbeing, which includes adaptability and resilience. Furthermore, these benchmarks are foundational to the success criteria set by the Department for Education. To effectively support the efforts of Career Leaders, I focused on identifying and promoting the programs and activities that most effectively motivate young people, facilitate independent decision-making, and lead to positive outcomes. I established both local and national contexts for our initiatives. Moreover, I developed a comprehensive series of engaging workshops that delved into the nuances of the local job market. These workshops highlighted emerging skill sectors, scrutinised the current employment landscape, and spotlighted challenging-to-fill vacancies, elucidating why these positions represent exceptional career opportunities with no financial barriers, whether pursued through Further Education or Higher Education.

I would introduce LSEC apprenticeship programs and short courses to employers, public sector charities, and private sector organisations. These programs would cover HR, Business Administration, IT Solutions, Accountancy, and Team Leadership. My primary focus was to provide apprenticeships for STEM subjects that are challenging to fill and for underrepresented groups, such as young women and individuals from minority backgrounds.

Engaging with LSEC has substantial intrinsic value as it showcases the significance of promoting educational and vocational programs in STEM fields. These programs aimed to attract, engage, and train a new generation of young people, preparing them to pursue careers in these fields.

By collaborating with LSEC, you can demonstrate your commitment to promoting and investing in the next generation of STEM professionals, while also filling the skills gap in these challenging-to-fill industries..

In my capacity at Redactive Media Group, I held the responsibility of generating revenue for the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) industry publication, ( Facilitate ), as well as for recruitment advertising targeted at their membership base. The IWFM is well-respected for publishing the esteemed and award-winning magazine, Facilities Management, which positions itself as a leading voice in the sector. Additionally, the organization manages a professional job board that effectively connects top talent with exceptional career opportunities.

In this multifaceted role, I engaged with a diverse range of stakeholders, including advertisers, direct clients, recruitment consultants, and staffing agencies. My principal responsibility involved managing a wide array of candidate inquiries across various sectors of facilities and building management. These sectors encompassed high-level executives such as Chief Executive Officers and Managing Directors, in addition to entry-level roles, including apprenticeships and internships. I also adeptly navigated the complexities of recruitment across specialised areas such as hard and soft services, estates development, and facilities and workplace services.

My expertise extended into critical domains including facilities and infrastructure, transport logistics, and specialised car park management. Furthermore, I managed inquiries pertaining to projects, corporate facilities management, estate planning, contracts management, health and safety regulations, and engineering disciplines. This position necessitated not only a strategic approach to recruitment but also a profound understanding of the unique requirements and intricacies within each aspect of the facilities management landscape.

In my role as the Advertising Manager, I held a highly responsible position that involved overseeing the digital and print publications of Monarch Airline, as well as the airline's inflight magazine, Passport.

As part of my duties, I was responsible for the day-to-day management of Passport magazine, which included reporting weekly, monthly, and quarterly figures to the board of directors. Additionally, I had weekly meetings with the board of directors to provide detailed reports on revenue.

In my capacity as the Advertising Manager, I also met with the editorial team, Tourist Boards, clients, and Media Agencies. I was involved in cross-media sales, advertising sales, managing teams, motivating employees, face-to-face sales, trade shows, editorial influence, Media sales in the travel industry, b2b, b2c, and all industries, including finance, sport, fashion, and top advertisers.

As part of my role, I generated new business and had commercial responsibility for the magazine. I presented The River Group portfolio, which included Holland & Barratt (Health & Healthy for Men), Walk (Ramblers Association) & Eats Healthy magazines, to the client directly and media agencies. I worked closely with the editorial and creative departments to develop content-led campaigns, as well as advertorials.

Overall, my role as the Advertising Manager involved a great deal of responsibility and required me to be highly organised, detail-oriented, and able to work well under pressure

As part of my role, I was entrusted with the responsibility of selling branded content and digital display and offering programmatic and retargeting solutions to media agencies and clients directly. One of my key tasks was building and nurturing relationships with clients to ensure their satisfaction and to generate revenue for the business.

I was also responsible for developing a pipeline of leads and working closely with marketing contacts to identify new opportunities. Drawing upon my knowledge and expertise, I would create attractive proposals based on client needs and craft bespoke packages for each client, ensuring that their specific requirements were met.

In addition to my sales responsibilities, I also played a vital role in developing and managing round table events across universities, both in the commercial and public sectors. This involved liaising with key stakeholders, coordinating logistics, and ensuring that the events ran smoothly from start to finish.

I was responsible for selling branded content and digital display, in addition to programmatic and retargeting solutions, to media agencies and direct clients. My duties included the cultivation and maintenance of professional relationships with these entities, as well as the generation of revenue for the business.

To achieve these objectives, I developed a pipeline of leads and liaised with marketing contacts to enhance the efficacy of their outreach. I was tasked with creating attractive proposals that met the needs of clients, and crafting bespoke packages tailored to individual needs. I was also responsible for the development and management of round table events across universities, targeting both commercial and public sectors.

During my time at the Big Choice Group, I made a significant contribution to the company's revenue growth by implementing innovative strategies in two key areas: digital display for The National Student magazine and online/offline apprenticeship and graduate recruitment campaigns. I developed creative campaigns that generated consumer interest, leading to a substantial increase in mailing lists, brand value, and sales. I also designed viral marketing campaigns to build digital brand portfolios, which helped in reaching a wider audience and increasing engagement.

Additionally, I took responsibility for developing special campaigns for hard-to-fill roles, such as STEM and Diversity positions, for FTSE 100 clients. I successfully built client brand awareness across university campuses and developed internships to attract top talent, which helped in nurturing the next generation of leaders in those industries.

Furthermore, I had the pleasure of working with numerous government-led training agencies, including Skill Set. I collaborated with two of their sectors, Creative and Logistics, to promote their respective industries to young people, schools, parents, career advisors, and employers. My efforts helped in enhancing their industry's reputation and driving participation in apprenticeship and training programs, which ultimately lead to a more skilled and diverse workforce

As an International Agency Manager at the world's top in-flight media publishing company, I was solely responsible for presenting a total of 7 magazines to clients and media agencies across Europe, including renowned titles like CNBC Business, KLM Holland Herald, BMI Voyager, Eurostar Metropolitan, Thompson Cook, Easy Jet, Ryan Air, and PrivatAir - The Magazine. I took great pride in being associated with the European publisher of the world's largest onboard magazine, United Airlines Hemispheres magazine.

My primary responsibility was to drive new advertising revenues into these titles, both print and digital. This involved working closely with editorial teams to ensure that commercial objectives were met, and I made sure that the travel partners whose titles I represented maintained relationships with me. I was also responsible for exploring and driving revenues outside of traditional advertising revenues, such as iPad apps and digital boarding pass advertising.

During my tenure, I identified a variety of new business opportunities for new routes, including unique business partnerships with major sporting events, the Olympics, and Euro 2012. I also worked closely with Business Chambers of Commerce, local and central government agencies, promoting inward investment and finance reports. My role was instrumental in promoting these publications to a wider audience and ensuring that they remained profitable and relevant in a constantly evolving industry.

As an integral part of my professional responsibilities, I was entrusted with managing several accounts, including those of over 20 NHS Trusts and 10 Local Authorities. My primary role involved actively seeking new business opportunities while overseeing regions across London and South East.

To accomplish sales targets, I undertook direct sales calls related to senior-level recruitment in public and central government, including the third sector. This was achieved by coordinating remotely with various members of management and head office.

Moreover, I collaborated with HR representatives, Agency Directors, and Recruitment Consultants to identify business needs, close deals, and present solutions. This was particularly focused on Local Authorities and NHS/ PCT's.

I am proud to have been responsible for driving revenue growth for the company's esteemed titles - 'The Voice', 'Young Voices', 'The Gleaner', and 'Voice' online. As a part of the advertising team, I developed an effective diversity sales strategy that empowered us to tap into both the public and commercial sectors. It was a privilege to lead comprehensive diversity advertising projects that supported clients expanding into the diversity market.

I worked closely with my team members to develop project plans, schedules, and budgets, and ensured that we maintained adherence to the schedule and final product quality by collaborating with the press office and other departments. It was an honour to generate new business and manage existing clients within the online platform and print portfolio."

As a trailblazer in diversity publishing sector, I spearheaded the launch of two groundbreaking magazines, 'The New Editor' and 'Pride Parent'. With unwavering dedication, I nurtured relationships with new clients and created tailor-made campaigns for leading brands such as Ford Motor Company and L'Oreal. I also played a pivotal role in launching 'Women in Business' with Siad Business School, and contributed to the field of education by developing a clearing education supplement for Further Education and Higher Education, along with a series of inspiring graduate features.

I played a pivotal role in the design and implementation of innovative recruitment projects that specifically targeted the public sector and higher education. I not only developed supplements that resulted in advertorials but also spearheaded the creation of a series of graduate recruitment magazines.

I successfully brought together all phases of local authorities, including Social Services, Education, and the Health sector, with key commercial clients. I personally collated and implemented market research information, presenting the products as an effective medium for recruitment to clients and agencies.

Furthermore, I creatively developed new business strategies that led to increased revenue and market share in new areas. I also managed a team of four with a high degree of professionalism, motivation, and support, while successfully achieving sales objectives