Our Team

When Lifetime was established over 20 years ago it was a team of one – Founder, Heather Frankham. Today Lifetime operates with a diverse team of over 750 people all working together to improve the skills and knowledge of over 20,000 learners a year.

From administrators and central support staff to our business development and course advisor teams. From marketing and client support to tutors, regional trainers and quality assurance. A variety of roles, but all with one common goal and a passion for what we do.

Our Board of Directors:

Simon Withey - Chairman

Simon has substantial experience of the training and skills sector having been the Managing Director of Flagship Training Limited (the company set up to be the official training partner of the Royal Navy) for six years, and the Managing Director of VT Group’s Education & Skills business (now Babcock Education and Training following acquisition in 2010) for five years.

After 35 years of executive management roles in a number of sectors Simon has now developed a portfolio of non-executive chairman positions. His chairman roles in addition to Lifetime are at the world's leading safety and survival company Survitec Group, and at the UK's leading business winning and complex project delivery services business Harmonic.

Alex Khan - Chief Executive Officer

Alex Khan has worked in the training sector since 1999 and prior to his appointment as CEO of Lifetime, he was Managing Director of Babcock International Groups’ education and training business giving him a wealth of experience of the vocational training and Apprenticeship market across a wide range of different sectors.

He has an excellent understanding of Apprenticeship funding and delivery within Lifetime’s core sectors - fitness, hospitality and care – along with a wide range of other sectors including defence, energy, emergency services and education. 

Peter Mitchell - Chief Financial Officer

Peter joined Lifetime in November 2009 bringing with him an extensive experience within high growth service sector business having previously worked at workplace services provider PHS Group and dental care business James Hull Associates. Over his career Peter has overseen a significant number of corporate transactions, including the execution of large scale acquisition strategies and inward private equity investments. Whilst maintaining a core responsibility over the finance function, Peter also oversees the wider support functions of IT, HR and Quality administration within Lifetime. A ‘Big 4’ qualified chartered accountant, Peter holds a BSc (Econ) in Banking and Finance and an MSc in International Economics, both from Cardiff University Business School.

Paul Hudson – Chief Operating Officer

Paul joined Lifetime 3 years ago as Chief Operating Officer. Since 1990, Paul’s career has seen him develop in a range of Human Resource and Operational roles within the Hospitality sector, working for businesses such as Mitchells and Butlers, Whitbread, Starbucks and, most recently, Greene King.

Paul holds a degree in Accounting and Finance and has achieved results in all business with a focus on people and team development. Paul has experience of operating in accelerated growth markets as well as consolidating performance in more mature sectors. He has a real passion for Apprenticeships and what they have to offer individuals and employers.

Adrian Yurkwich

Adrian is a long-standing Partner with leading European specialist investor Silverfleet Capital, which has backed Lifetime since October 2016.

With responsibility for Silverfleet's investment activities in the business & financial services sectors, Adrian is currently a Non-Executive Director of Lifetime Training and AGR, and was recently on the board of Aesica Pharmaceuticals, an investment he led to a successful exit in 2014.

Adrian started his career with Price Waterhouse and has a breadth of experience in private equity, having worked at UBS Capital, Phoenix Equity Partners, and 3i before joining Silverfleet in 2005 to support the successful growth strategies of a number of portfolio companies.

Adrian is a Chartered Accountant and has a degree in Chemistry from the University of Bristol.

Mark Piasecki

Mark is a Principal at Silverfleet Capital, and currently a Non-Executive Director of Lifetime Training as well as Ipes and Masai Clothing Company.

Before joining Silverfleet Capital in 2007, Mark worked in the consumer & retail investment banking team at Citigroup, whom he joined from KPMG Corporate Finance.

Mark graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Economics.

 

Our Directors

Karen Green - Quality Director

Karen initially joined Lifetime in 2015 to drive a consistent approach to teaching and learning across the organisation, and has since been appointed to the position of Quality Director to support Lifetime’s mission of putting quality at the heart of all learner engagement.

Prior to joining Lifetime Karen was seconded to Ofsted as an associate inspector from her position as Director of Quality Improvement at a large FE College which was judged to be Good at its previous inspection. Karen continues to inspect for Ofsted as an Ofsted Inspector.

Karen holds a PGCE for adult education and training and has a wide range of curriculum management and teaching experience from working in the FE and Skills sector for over 20 years.

Mark Denton - IT & Projects Director

Mark joined Lifetime in October 2012 as Head of Project Office responsible for the management, governance and delivery of strategic IT & Business projects. In October 2013 Mark joined the Exec team to lead the IT and Projects teams. Immediately prior to joining Lifetime Mark set up a small local fitness business following 10 years at EE and Orange.

Mark was a Senior Manager for 10 years specialising in the delivery of business technology projects and programmes in telecoms. Mark’s worked for organisations spanning technology, telecoms, ecommerce and online information focussing on delivering business change in line with commercial priorities. Mark has a 2:1 degree in International Relations from Keele University.

Tessa James - HR Director

Tessa joined Lifetime in 2014, bringing with her an extensive, generalist HR experience from having been working within the HR industry for over 10 years. Over her career, Tessa has held a number of HR roles within a variety of companies such as Rocco Forte, De Vere and Intercontinental Hotels Group.

In her remit, Tessa is responsible for driving the people agenda, and is passionate about the value people bring to an organisation.

Tessa holds an LLB in Law from Cardiff University and an MSc in Human Resources Management from University of South Wales