The UVAC team consists of a small group of highly committed and enthusiastic individuals who share a passionate belief in the value of higher vocational learning.
Some of the team members are based at UVAC’s office – situated within the University of Bolton – whilst others work on a consultancy basis from various locations around the UK.
For direct contact information plus short biographies and job descriptions follow the links below:
- Professor Joy Carter, Chair
- Adrian Anderson, Chief Executive
- Caroline McKevitt, Operations Manager
- Karen Jones, Book-keeper and Administrator
- David Hemsworth, Consultant
Professor Joy Carter
Chair
E: joy.carter@winchester.ac.uk
T: 01962 827222
Professor Carter is currently Vice Chancellor at the University of Winchester. She was formerly Pro Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs at the University of Glamorgan where she had responsibility for all academic matters, including Teaching and Learning and Quality.
Professor Carter began her career as a lecturer in Sedimentary Geochemistry at the University of Reading, where she later became a Reader in Environmental Geochemistry and Health. She published extensively in the field and served on Research Council Committees and as Chair on the Board of the European Group of the International Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health. Professor Carter later went on to become Dean of Science and Director of Science Research and Consultancy at the University of Derby. She has a particular interest in widening access and student retention.
Adrian Anderson
Chief Executive
E: a.anderson@bolton.ac.uk
T: 01777 816023
Adrian joined UVAC in April 2003 as Director of Development. Prior to that, Adrian was until 2002 director of policy and development at the National Training Organisation (NTO) National Council, working thereafter as a consultant. As a consultant Adrian managed the Graduate Apprenticeship National Support Programme for HEFCE and acted as secretary to the DfES sponsored NVQ and National Occupational Standards Employer Champions Group.
After a period as acting Chief Executive, Adrian was appointed Chief Executive of UVAC on a part-time basis in June 2009. In 2009/10 Adrian provided the secretariat for the review Professor Joy Carter, Chair of UVAC was asked to undertake by Rt Hon David Lammy, Minister of State for Higher and Further Education, of learner progression in England from vocational and applied qualifications to higher education. Professor Carter’s review was commissioned to inform the then Government’s higher education (HE) strategy framework, ‘Higher Ambitions – The future of universities in a knowledge economy, the skills strategy, Skills for Growth, and to support ambitions to raise skill levels and improve social mobility. In recent months Adrian conducted a subsequent comparative study for UK CES of vocational progression routes in the Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In addition to his role at UVAC, Adrian is a freelance consultant, and works extensively in the higher education and learning and skills sectors.
Caroline McKevitt
Operations Manager
E: c.j.mckevitt@bolton.ac.uk
T: 01204 903355
Caroline joined UVAC in September 2004 as Office Manager. Her current role involves managing all aspects of UVAC’s corporate, financial and operational business.
Caroline previously worked for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), where she held a variety of posts, latterly in the HR/Learning and Development and Corporate Management areas. Her most recent role was to manage the DWP Graduate Development Programme, where she had responsibility for the recruitment and ongoing development of graduates during an 18 month programme which specialised in project management skills. Prior to that, Caroline was Aide to the Head of DWP Training Services, where she provided a comprehensive support service to the Head of the Branch and his senior staff.
Caroline has experience in the management of corporate and finance functions and has also worked on the design, development and delivery of learning and development products using multi media.
Karen Jones
Book-keeper and Administrator
E: k.jones@bolton.ac.uk
T: 01204 903357
Karen has been a freelance book-keeper since 1997, and has worked for UVAC since 2006. Her primary role is the accurate maintenence of UVAC’s financial accounts. Karen is a very experienced book-keeper, providing financial services to a portfolio of seven local businesses. Karen also provides valuable admin support to UVAC, particularly in relation to member services and the annual conference.
Prior to becoming a freelance book-keeper, Karen was North West Regional Accounts Manager for Shell UK.
David Hemsworth
Consultant
E: david_hemsworth@msn.com
T: 01444 414475
David has been responsible for editing and producing UVAC publications since 2002. Drawing on his experience of working with industry bodies and his knowledge of workforce skills, he has researched and written guides on the use of National Occupational Standards in HE programmes and the progression of Apprentices to HE. He has also organised a number of UVAC events, including workshops on the use of National Occupational Standards and national forums on the accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL).
David was previously Communications Director of the London-based Action Resource Centre, responsible for promoting lifelong learning and continuing professional development to FTSE 100 clients. Originally a languages teacher, he went on to join a corporate communications consultancy in Westminster, where his clients included BTEC, the IMS (now the Institute of Employment Studies), universities, colleges and the former Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council.