Our Team

Our Executive Team is responsible for the day-to-day running of Hertfordshire Futures and our family of services.

Senior Leadership Team

Neil Hayes
Chief Executive
Neil Hayes
Chief Executive

Neil is the Chief Executive of Hertfordshire Futures and has overseen its development since its inception (as Hertfordshire LEP) in 2011. Neil leads the work to promote, develop, shape and sustain the economic growth and productivity of Hertfordshire. He works closely with local leaders, influencers and private and public sector partners, as well as Government, to shape the county’s growth agenda.

Prior to joining, Neil was Head of the Economic Development Unit at Hertfordshire County Council. Neil was also Head of Partnerships at the East of England Development Agency, responsible for local economic development partnerships across the region. Neil’s earlier career was in business support including working for Business Link and the British Chambers of Commerce.

Norman Jennings
Operations Director
Norman Jennings
Operations Director

Norman is responsible for overseeing the operational delivery of all programmes across Hertfordshire Future’s key strategic priority areas which include Skills, Business and Infrastructure. Norman sits on the Senior Leadership Team.

Norman also supports the Skills Advisory Panel, working with local education providers and businesses to improve careers education for young people, upskill Hertfordshire’s labour market, and ultimately move towards fuller employment within the county.

Gareth Dace
Head of Programmes and Policy
Gareth Dace
Head of Programmes and Policy

Gareth is Head of Programmes and Policy for Hertfordshire Futures. Gareth provides strategic leadership on a wide range of programmes and services that support the economic growth of Hertfordshire.

Skills & Employment

Caroline Cartwright
Head of Skills (Strategy)
Caroline Cartwright
Head of Skills (Strategy)

Caroline leads on Hertfordshire Future's skills, employment and apprenticeship initiatives to ensure Hertfordshire is delivering an effective skill service in line with the Hertfordshire Skills and Employment Strategy and the Skills Advisory Panel Local Skills Report.

Caroline also leads on Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal (HOP) – the premier gateway in Hertfordshire for residents to explore career opportunities and for employers to connect with their future talent and discover solutions to upskill their staff.

Steve Trotter
Careers Hub Strategic Lead
Steve Trotter
Careers Hub Strategic Lead

Steve leads the strategic delivery of The Careers & Enterprise Company programme in Hertfordshire, as well as our Hertfordshire Careers Hub. He works with schools, colleges, employers, and partners to strengthen careers education, create meaningful employer encounters, and help young people develop the skills and knowledge needed for future careers.

Claire Scarisbrick
Skills Delivery Manager
Claire Scarisbrick
Skills Delivery Manager

Claire is an experienced Skills Specialist who leads on Hertfordshire Future's Hertfordshire Opportunities programme, which supports local businesses with their skills needs, and its online skills and employment portal HOP. 

Heading a team of skills and careers advisers, Claire is also responsible for the successful delivery of specialist skills programmes including Skills Bootcamps, short sector-driven courses open to adults aged 19+ looking to upskill or retrain, and 'HOP into Film and Media', which supports the growth of the county's film and TV industry and helps meet local skills needs.

Shea Costello
Careers Hub Operational Lead
Shea Costello
Careers Hub Operational Lead

Shea leads the operational delivery of The Careers & Enterprise Company programme in Hertfordshire, as well as our Hertfordshire Careers Hub. Shea works with schools, colleges, employers, and partners to strengthen careers education, create meaningful employer encounters, and support young people in developing the skills and knowledge needed for future careers.

Erica Hodges
Modern Day Work Experience Lead
Erica Hodges
Modern Day Work Experience Lead

Complementing the work of our Enterprise Coordinators and Hertfordshire Careers Hub team, Erica works with local schools to modernise the work experience system and increase provision for Year 7–10 students. She builds employer partnerships, aligns local activity with national frameworks, and drives inclusive, curriculum-embedded experiences.

Denise Manning
Future Ready Project Officer
Denise Manning
Future Ready Project Officer

Denise Manning is the Future Ready Fund Project Lead, where she will be working with 375 young people across 25 schools to provide high-quality, modern day work experience over three years. The programme specifically targets young people facing socio‑economic disadvantage and other barriers ensuring support is targeted where it can make the greatest difference. She will be inspiring the next generation for the world of work through engaging with employers, building skills and interests, and ensuring learning is fun and meaningful.

Lesley Leggett
Skills Specialist
Lesley Leggett
Skills Specialist

Lesley is an employer engagement specialist with a track record in achieving results, developing networks and maximising employer caseloads. Lesley has a passion for education and training, and understanding how employers can raise their productivity through workforce development.

Angela Manley
Skills Specialist
Angela Manley
Skills Specialist

Angela delivers impactful skills-based programmes and initiatives, aligned with strategic priorities and stakeholder needs. She also increases engagement opportunities and maximises relationships with both new and existing clients, raising the profile of Hertfordshire's skills solutions.

Kelly Dowling
Get Hertfordshire Working – WorkWell Lead
Kelly Dowling
Get Hertfordshire Working – WorkWell Lead

Kelly leads the development of Hertfordshire’s WorkWell Strategy, aligned with the Get Hertfordshire Working Plan and national priorities on economic inactivity and health inequalities. She provides strategic leadership for the design, mobilisation, and delivery of the WorkWell initiative, working alongside the Integrated Care System, local authorities, DWP, VCSE, skills partners and employers.

Jo Beazley
Temporary Head of Service - Step2Skills
Jo Beazley
Temporary Head of Service - Step2Skills

Jo leads on the development and implementation of innovative employment support approaches to enhance employment outcomes for Hertfordshire residents. Jo works collaboratively with local stakeholders to drive inclusive, evidence-based strategies that support residents with barriers to employment into sustainable job opportunities.

Evelyn Djan
Temporary Head of Service - Step2Skills
Evelyn Djan
Temporary Head of Service - Step2Skills

Evelyn is responsible for the Adult Skills Inhouse delivery team, ensuring alignment with national priorities and local economic needs. Evelyn oversees the design and implementation of the Inhouse team’s Skills curriculum, monitors and analyses its performance to enhance access, quality and impact of the adult curriculum.

Anne Tinker
Employer Liaison Officer
Anne Tinker
Employer Liaison Officer

Anne works with employers across Hertfordshire to develop partnerships that create employment, skills, and career opportunities for local residents.

Georgina De-Allie
Employer Liaison Officer
Georgina De-Allie
Employer Liaison Officer

Georgina works with employers across Hertfordshire to develop partnerships that create employment, skills, and career opportunities for local residents.

Chris Dowton
Enterprise Coordinator
Chris Dowton
Enterprise Coordinator

Chris works alongside the Careers Hub Lead and assists with the delivery of the Careers and Enterprise Company programme in Hertfordshire. Chris supports local schools and colleges to achieve the eight Gatsby benchmarks for good career guidance. Chris is also responsible for matching schools and colleges with Enterprise Advisers (EAs).

Chelsie Greatbatch
Skills Support Executive
Chelsie Greatbatch
Skills Support Executive

Chelsie's role is to ensure the smooth operation of skills bootcamps in Hertfordshire by maintaining accurate data, fostering strong relationships with bootcamp providers, and attending sessions to observe their impact and engage with learners. Chelsie also provides support to the skills team.

Matthew Bridge
Digital Marketing & Content Executive
Matthew Bridge
Digital Marketing & Content Executive

Matthew provides marketing administration for Hertfordshire Future's skills team, working alongside the Skills Delivery Manager. He also supports the development of Hertfordshire Futures flagship skills portal HOP and the delivery of the skills and careers-related events and activities.

Business Support

Tim Burton
Business Support Services Manager
Tim Burton
Business Support Services Manager

Tim oversees Hertfordshire Futures' business support services, including Hertfordshire Growth Hub, Get Enterprising, and the Create Growth Programme. He works with businesses, stakeholders, and delivery partners to help create a connected and effective business support ecosystem, enabling companies across Hertfordshire to start, grow, innovate, and scale.

Adam Wood
Enterprise Zone Manager
Adam Wood
Enterprise Zone Manager

Adam manages the growth and development of Hertfordshire Innovation Quarter, the county's enterprise zone. He works with partners to secure investment and deliver infrastructure that will unlock strategically located development sites with the potential to deliver thousands of new jobs in the area. Adam also encourages effective joint working between Hertfordshire Futures, Hertfordshire County Council, District and Borough Councils, Local Transport Board and the Hertfordshire Infrastructure and Planning Partnership to deliver an exciting and challenging growth programme.

Joanne Gomm
Employment, Skills and Social Value Lead
Joanne Gomm
Employment, Skills and Social Value Lead

Joanne is reponsible for managing our Social Value Service - brokerage and delivery service helping employers, developers, and public sector organisations turn their social vlaue commitments into jobs, skills, community, and environmental benefits for Hertfordshire.

Placemaking

Melanie Miller
Inward Investment and Placemaking Lead
Melanie Miller
Inward Investment and Placemaking Lead

Melanie works alongside the Sector Leads for Film, TV & Digital and Life Sciences & Manufacturing to support the growth and prosperity of businesses currently located in Hertfordshire and to attract new investment into the county.

Melanie works with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Office for Investment, as well as with foreign and UK investors, landowners, and business and district directors, to stimulate strategic economic growth in Hertfordshire.

Melanie represents both Hertfordshire Futures and Hertfordshire IQ, and supports the work of Hertfordshire Growth Board.

Pippa Cawdron
Film Office Manager
Pippa Cawdron
Film Office Manager

Pippa leads the delivery of Hertfordshire Film Office - a one-stop-shop service for film and TV-related activities across the county.

Pippa works closely with Creative UK, local authorities in Hertfordshire and other key intermediaries such as Production Guild - together with production companies, location managers, and studios - to support the development of the industry locally and maximise opportunities for growth.

Daria Godding
Visitor Economy Manager
Daria Godding
Visitor Economy Manager

Daria oversees the Visit Herts programme, which is dedicated to growing the county’s visitor economy. Daria helps raise Hertfordshire’s profile among national and international visitors, showcasing what the county has to offer, boosting business tourism, and providing advice and support to local hospitality and tourism businesses.

Cherise Fairman
Film Officer
Cherise Fairman
Film Officer

Cherise works alongside the Film Office Manager to promote Hertfordshire as the premiere destination for film/TV production and filming locations, and to deliver and monitor Film Office services. Cherise also provides executive support for the Creative Sector Lead.

Lisa Bishop
Project Executive
Lisa Bishop
Project Executive

Lisa supports the delivery and monitoring of The Careers and Enterprise Company programme in Hertfordshire, and Hertfordshire Film Office. Lisa also supports our Skills and Employment Board.

Growth Sectors

Paul Witcombe
Life Sciences & Advanced Manufacturing Sector Lead
Paul Witcombe
Life Sciences & Advanced Manufacturing Sector Lead

Paul leads work to support the growth of Hertfordshire's life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and space sectors, helping to maximise investment, innovation, and job creation opportunities across the county. He works closely with businesses, local authorities, industry partners, and organisations including Airbus to attract inward investment, strengthen supply chains, and deliver initiatives that drive economic growth and innovation across Hertfordshire.

Adam Morley
Creative Sector Lead
Adam Morley
Creative Sector Lead

Adam oversees the development and delivery of Hertfordshire's Film & TV and Digital Sector Action Plans and supports the industry-led Film & TV Panel. He works with businesses, industry partners, and education providers to support sector growth, shape skills and workforce development, influence policy and legislation, and create diverse and inclusive pathways into the creative industries.

Helen Pollock
Clean Growth Manager
Helen Pollock
Clean Growth Manager

Helen’s role is to stimulate Clean Growth in Hertfordshire by supporting the growth of the Low Carbon Environment Goods and Services (LCEGS) sector/cluster and encouraging new businesses to the region. Working with partners, Helen is accelerating green skills development, attracting green inward investment and enabling the transformation of Hertfordshire businesses to meet Net Zero challenges.

Sophie Mance
Senior Project Manager, Digital Hertfordshire
Sophie Mance
Senior Project Manager, Digital Hertfordshire

Sophie leads Digital Hertfordshire - a programme that works to boost the county's digital infrastructure, explore advanced technologies and promote digital inclusion amongst residents.

Mel Harradine
Project Manager, Digital Hertfordshire
Mel Harradine
Project Manager, Digital Hertfordshire

Mel supports the delivery of Digital Hertfordshire - a programme that enhances digital infrastructure, drives innovation through emerging technologies, and promotes digital inclusion across the county.

Desiree Blair
Project Manager, Digital Hertfordshire
Desiree Blair
Project Manager, Digital Hertfordshire

Desiree supports the delivery of Digital Hertfordshire - a programme that enhances digital infrastructure, drives innovation through emerging technologies, and promotes digital inclusion across the county.

Marvin Joyce
Project Officer, Digital Hertfordshire
Marvin Joyce
Project Officer, Digital Hertfordshire

Marvin supports the delivery of Digital Hertfordshire - a programme that enhances digital infrastructure, drives innovation through emerging technologies, and promotes digital inclusion across the county.

Aniqa Rahman
Digital Inclusion Support Officer, Digital Hertfordshire
Aniqa Rahman
Digital Inclusion Support Officer, Digital Hertfordshire

Aniqa supports the delivery of Digital Hertfordshire - a programme that enhances digital infrastructure, drives innovation through emerging technologies, and promotes digital inclusion across the county.

Corporate Services

Sally Stanley
Operations Manager
Sally Stanley
Operations Manager

As Operations Manager, Sally leads the operational delivery of Hertfordshire Futures, with responsibility for finance, contract management and procurement, governance, HR & recruitment and events. She also supports the Executive Team, Board, and sub-boards, helping to ensure effective governance, organisational efficiency, and the successful delivery of the organisation's priorities.

Victoria Holland
Contracts, Assurance & Monitoring Manager
Victoria Holland
Contracts, Assurance & Monitoring Manager

Vickie is responsible for monitoring approved projects across Skills, Business and Infrastructure, including dealing with contracts and onboarding. Vickie also undertakes work on governance and assurance and provides oversight reporting to Hertfordshire Futures Board and sub boards.

Rashmi Pillai
Communications Manager
Rashmi Pillai
Communications Manager

Rashmi leads communications and marketing across Hertfordshire Futures, overseeing digital channels, content, campaigns, and brand development. She shapes our digital presence, drives engagement, and supports teams with their marketing and communications activity, helping showcase the impact of our programmes and services.

Gabrielle Silva
Digital Marketing Executive
Gabrielle Silva
Digital Marketing Executive

Gabrielle supports digital marketing and communications across Hertfordshire Futures, managing social media, creating content, and delivering campaigns and news stories. She works with teams across the organisation to promote opportunities, share success stories, and showcase the impact of our family of services.

Daniela Verastigui
Data and Campaigns Analyst
Daniela Verastigui
Data and Campaigns Analyst

Daniela's role is to source and analyse data to support Hertfordshire Future's teams, projects and ideas.

Mara Hubbard
Assurance and Monitoring Executive
Mara Hubbard
Assurance and Monitoring Executive

Mara supports the Contracts, Assurance and Monitoring Manager in the effective delivery and monitoring of Hertfordshire Futures programmes.

Mara also helps develop systems and processes to support the delivery and monitoring of Hertfordshire Future's key funding streams, including reserves, residual Growth Deal and European Structural and Investment Funds, Growing Places Fund and UK Shared Prosperity Funds and any future calls on funding.

Get in touch

Sally Stanley is our Operations Manager.

Send Sally an email