Management Team

Clive Grimshaw – Chief Executive

Clive has experience working across the political and professional aspects of local government and is a published writer, experienced trainer and consultant on children’s services and local government strategic leadership. Previously working in policy at the Local Government Association, he brings expertise on the key Acts around children in care, care leavers and local government more broadly. At the Local Government Association, Clive worked to influence and improve government policy and legislation, including the Care Matters: Time for Change programme and Lord Laming’s report in 2009.

Business Development

Darren Ardeman - Business Development Manager

After studying Sociology and Psychology at college Darren worked as a youth and community worker for over 15 years before entering the world of education. Having worked for Further Education colleges and private training providers, Darren has extensive experience working within vocational qualifications and apprenticeships. Darren is a qualified assessor, internal verifier and has a youth and community work qualification together with his post graduate in Management.

E-Learning and Training

Mick Madden – BTEC and Face-to-face Programme Manager

Mick brings nearly 30 years of experience of direct work with Traumatised and Vulnerable children in Special Education. He is highly qualified in both Social Work and Educational Management and as such has a unique perspective on the cultural differences that still can exist between Education and Social Care. As well as having a long history in Senior Management in Education, he is an experienced Trainer, Tutor and Assessor. Mick’s expert advice assists our training consultants to best match the Training needs of their customers with our high quality Face 2 Face and on-line Programmes.

Program Administration and Support Line

Sue Springham - BTEC and SCP Programme Administrator & Support Line

Sue is responsible for the day-to-day management of our supportline and assisting students with any queries or problems. In addition she provides administrative back-up to our training consultants and liaises with customers on a daily basis to ensure that orders and information requests are processed efficiently. She brings a wealth of administrative experience from her background in administration, customer support and manning helplines, from working within a wide range of companies. In her recent past she has run a supportline for an animal welfare charity on a voluntary basis, and was employed for some years by a housing/training charity working with disadvantaged teenagers

Technical Assistant & Apprentice

Nathan Halliwell

Nathan is an apprentice who is responsible for the technical side of the company. He keeps the servers operating 100% of the time. He also helps the AC Education's Staff with any computer related issues that may occur. Due to his educational background, hobbies and interests he has a good understanding of technical tasks.