Gareth James

Experience

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  National Space Centre, Leicester

  Jan 2001 - Apr 2007

  Education Manager

  Staff management; Facility duty management and Building Control; Programme presentation; Show and exhibition design consultation; Writing and producing new programmes and curriculum-linked teaching support materials; Project management; Media spokesperson; Marketing; Market research, Event organisation and management; Budget management and grant applications; Business planning and strategy development; Partnership liaison for local, regional, national and international bodies; Supporting corporate programming Show less

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  STFC

  Apr 2007 - Jul 2009

  Science in Society Manager

  Budget management, business planning and strategisation; Grant scheme coordination and administration; Staff management; Event and conference coordination; Contract management; Partnership liaison for regional, national and international bodies; Advisor - education, space, astronomy, particle physics and science communication matters; Ensuring programme quality and accuracy; Writing and producing new programmes and curriculum-linked teaching support materials; Producing publicity materials, organising and delivering marketing and promotional activities; Market research, customer evaluation and analysis; Web-zone authoring and editing Show less

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  IET

  Jul 2009 - Jun 2017

  Head of Education 5-19

  I manage a national (with global elements) programme of support for school and college students and teachers to encourage young people to study STEM subjects and then pursue apprenticeships or degrees in engineering. My team and I also support IET members who wish to engage with schools; support providers of STEM enhancement and enrichment activities; publish Flipside magazine; provide grants for school activities; and, work with IET Policy on education and skills policy and research. I am also advising on public engagement initiatives around areas of IET knowledge leadership. Show less

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  Micro:bit Foundation

  Jul 2016 - Jun 2018

  An executive role where I was responsible for ensuring the educational remit was paramount; the educational and public engagement frameworks exist to provide a comprehensive end-to-end user experience; UK and International strategic, educational and commercial partnerships were created and managed; research and grant funded projects were sought and undertaken; volunteers were effectively supported; the programme was marketed to the education sector; the Foundation’s sponsorship programme was delivered; and, the social media and other communications were sustained. As a director I was responsible for strategy and performance; business planning, monitoring and financial responsibility; stakeholder management; reporting to boards; representing the organisation at all levels, including government; staff management; policy and standards development; and, compliance. Show less

  • Chief of Education and Strategy

    Oct 2016 - Jun 2018

  • Director of Educational Programs

    Jul 2016 - Oct 2016
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  Aston University

  Sept 2017 - Sept 2021

  Visiting Fellow

  Supporting Aston on the ongoing participation in the Institute of Coding

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  Institute of Coding

  Jul 2018 - Apr 2020

  Strategic Project Lead (Digital Workforce, BSc Cybersecurity & Widening Participation)

  Working on the Digital Workforce and Widening Participation themes of the Institute of Coding. I'm also supporting the University Learners theme contribution and the development of the student-company Beautiful Canoe. The Digital Workforce is looking at new education and training models including Digital Apprenticeships and a BSc Cybersecurity. The Widening Participation work is to understand existing research and interventions for the target audiences. This will lead to the development of funding proposals to enable the commissioning of research to address identified knowledge gaps and activities and resources to address skills development challenges. Show less

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  Beautiful Canoe

  Nov 2018 - Apr 2020

  Executive leadership team

  In addition to my role at the Institute of Coding I am part of th executive leadership team providing operations, business development and strategic planning support to Aston University's student enterprise company - Beautiful Canoe

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  BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT

  Apr 2020 - Mar 2021

  Head of Partnerships (Academy)
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  World Robot Olympiad

  Dec 2020 - Aug 2023

  Strategic Programs and Partnerships Consultant

  I'm helping to initiate and source the support for new programmes within the WRO portfolio. In addition I am using my management capabilities to support the advancement of existing WRO activities

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  Groundwork

  Sept 2022 - Aug 2023

  Member Board of Trustees

  Member of the board of trustees for environmental and employability charity, working across the East Midlands.

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  Groundwork Five Counties

  Aug 2023 - Jul 2024

  Interim Chief Executive Officer

  Groundwork Five Counties works across the East Midlands tackling local challenges with green solutions, empowering all to flourish. We work in partnership with local companies, trusts and councils to improve PEOPLE's lives and the PLACES we live and, in doing so, we help the PLANET.

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  Lamp Charity

  Jul 2024 - now

  Chief Executive Officer

  LAMP provide community mental health advocacy to the communities of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland