Ben Lester

Experience

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  Cardiff Council

  Jan 2006 - Apr 2006

  Planner - Natural Environment Group (maternity cover)

  I produced an Action Plan for the Ely river valley area of Cardiff, which promoted a more coherent approach to the development and management of this part of the city and identified a range of projects that would help regenerate the area. The role included liaising with key public, private and third sector stakeholders, organising a consultation event and writing the action plan document.

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  Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd

  Apr 2006 - May 2006

  Research Assistant - School of City and Regional Planning

  Working alongside Professor Kevin Morgan on a collaborative project with academics from Sheffield University and Edinburgh Napier University, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The research explored the economy's of former coalfield areas and their relationships with adjacent major cities. My role was to co-ordinate contributions from various researchers into one coherent piece of work.

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  GVA UK

  May 2006 - Nov 2010

  Town Planning Consultant

  My position at GVA (now Avison Young) involved preparing, submitting and managing planning applications on behalf of a range of public and private sector clients, advising clients on planning strategy and making representations to Local Planning Authorities, as well as working for public sector clients on various regeneration strategies and research studies.

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  University of South Wales

  Mar 2011 - Jun 2019

  I worked as part of a small team supporting USW's senior management. My role involved:- Supporting the Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellors across a range of projects and initiatives, including merger, estates strategy and strategic planning.- Undertaking research and data analysis.- Advising the Deputy Vice Chancellor on matters relating to estates strategy and space management.- Developing (and monitoring the use of) a new Project Management Framework.- Regulatory assurance - including liaising with HEFCW in relation to USW's Fee and Access Plan and preparing key documentation including the Annual Monitoring Statement and Strategic Planning and Engagement Document.- Preparing Business Cases for major projects, including the USW Dubai Aviation Academy (opened in 2018), the £14.5m expansion of the Atrium creative industries building in Cardiff (completed in 2016) and a £15m investment at the USW Sport Park, including a new full-sized indoor 3G football pitch .- Drafting a new Estates Strategy and Masterplan, setting out a vision for USW's Estate for the next 10 years and beyond (in 2019). - Member of USW's Charity Committee, helping organise and promote a sponsored walk for staff and students and running teams for the Cardiff and Swansea half marathons, raising money to fight homelessness. Show less My role involved developing links between the (then) University of Glamorgan and private sector companies that were eligible for EU funding, to support work-based-learning opportunities for their employees. My principal focus in the post was on working with companies in the construction and property sectors including architects, planning consultants, house-builders and housing associations. My job also involved providing academic support to students, working alongside academics on the development of new courses and developing marketing and recruitment initiatives. Show less

  • Project and Policy Officer, Executive Office

    Mar 2012 - Jun 2019

  • Project Co-Ordinator, Professional Academy

    Mar 2011 - Mar 2012
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  Education Workforce Council / Cyngor y Gweithlu Addysg

  Jun 2019 - now

  Policy and Planning Manager

  My role at the EWC involves managing a growing team with responsibility for strategic planning, policy and research.On policy, my role has involved working on a wide variety of projects (both internally commissioned and funded work on behalf of the Welsh Government) as well as responsibility for responding to consultations on behalf of the EWC. Specific projects have included:- Black, Asian and minority ethnic representation in the school workforce - leading a project involving analysis of workforce data, reviewing best practice in other countries and professions and working with stakeholders to develop recommendations for Welsh Government on diversifying the workforce- Professional standards for FE and work based learning practitioners: leading ongoing work, including collaborating with stakeholders to develop new tools and resources to help practitioners engage with the professional standards more easily. - Professional standards for teaching assistants - worked with TA's to co-construct new online tools that will help them to understand and engage with the professional standards. - Professional learning blend - co-authored a research report for Welsh Government regarding practitioner engagement with professional learning. - Internally commissioned policy work, including preparing position papers, consultation responses policy briefings etc. In relation to strategic planning I have responsibility for preparing (and monitoring the implementation of) the EWC's strategic and operational plans, as well as its Strategic Equality Plan. I am also responsible for preparing the organisations annual reports and for ensuring organisational compliance with respect to Welsh language and Equalities legislation.In relation to research, I am responsible for developing and implementing the EWC's Research Strategy and Action plan, which focuses on promoting research engagement and helping disseminate best practice across all seven of our registrant groups Show less