WEAR BUSINESS
APPOINTMENTS
ELLEN THINNESEN , NORTH-EAST LEP One of the Wear region ’ s most high-profile educators has been appointed as the new chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership ’ s ( LEP ) skills advisory panel . Ellen Thinnesen , who arrived in the region to become principal of Sunderland College in 2016 , has risen to become CEO of Education Partnership North-East ( EPNE ), a partnership between Sunderland College , Hartlepool Sixth Form and Northumberland College .
And her appointment to leading the LEP ’ s skills advisory panel , which supports a drive to improve skills in the North-East workforce , is seen as an ideal fit .
EPNE is one of the largest college groups in the country , with campuses across the North-East region , from Berwick-upon- Tweed to the Tees Valley , and a combined student enrolment of over 21,500 .
Ellen began her career as a nurse and has previously held high-profile positions within the education sector in Manchester and the Yorkshire and Humber regions .
In her previous role as principal and chief executive of Sunderland College , she led the college through two highly successful mergers .
She has held numerous board positions in the education and not-for-profit sectors within the North-East and beyond .
She continues to contribute nationally to influence education policy and reform .
Michelle Rainbow , skills director at the North East LEP , said : “ Improving skills in the North-East workforce is fundamental to our economic future , especially now as we adapt to the significant challenges presented by Covid-19 .
“ Ellen is an inspiring leader who is truly passionate about making a difference and raising aspirations in the North-East .
“ We are delighted to welcome her as chair of the skills advisory panel .”
Ellen said : “ I am honoured to be appointed .
“ I look forward to working with the other panel members to continue to support the LEP to ensure we have a thriving skills system which meets the current and future needs of employers and drives the goal of creating more and better jobs for our region .”
Through the panel , the LEP is working to understand the region ’ s current and future skills needs and labour market challenges .
The panel includes representatives from the North-East LEP , the North-East Combined Authority and North of Tyne Combined Authority , universities , colleges and local businesses .
The work of the panel will feed directly into the development and delivery of the North-East Local Industrial Strategy .
MEGAN NELSON , RICHARD REED SOLICITORS A leading Sunderland law firm has expanded its family team with the appointment of a new solicitor .
Megan Nelson joined the award-winning Richard Reed Solicitors two years ago as a paralegal before taking up a training contract and has now successfully qualified as a solicitor .
She said : “ As soon as I graduated from law school , I came to work at Richard Reed Solicitors as a paralegal .
“ I was lucky enough to get a training contract which has allowed me to work towards becoming a fully qualified solicitor .”
Megan will now be a fully fledged member of the family law team , working on a range of cases including divorce , private children law , care proceedings and domestic violence issues .
Sarah Reid , managing director of Richard Reed at Frederick Street , Sunderland , said the new solicitor was a huge asset .
She said : “ Megan has become an important part of the Richard Reed family over the past two years and we ’ re delighted that she has successfully completed her training and will become a valuable part of our family law team .”
WILLIAM MACPHERSON , LEARNING CURVE GROUP One of the UK ’ s largest training providers has announced the appointment of a new chairman .
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