The Future of Apprenticeships Conference

Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE DL founded Youth Employment UK in 2012 after recognising, through her own experiences and work in recruitment, the barriers young people face when transitioning from education into employment.

LJ is a passionate campaigner for youth employment, and the right of all young people to access quality employment and have their voices heard on the issues that affect them. She believes it is up to all of us to create a youth-friendly society where young people can fulfil their potential.

Recognised as a leading youth employment expert, LJ provides insight, support and expertise to a range of groups on social mobility, education, employment and skills. She plays a leading role in the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Youth Employment and is a co-founder of the Youth Employment Group. She is also the Chair of Governors for a college group and chairs the regional CPCA Youth Guarantee Programme Board.

Hannah Larsen is the policy lead for skills, careers and education at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). She shapes strategic policy for the Chamber network across apprenticeships, workforce development, youth employment, careers IAG, and inclusion. She is BCC’s lead for Local Skills Improvement Plans, engaging employers and influencing national policymakers across government to match training provision to local skills needs. Her work supports businesses of all sizes to strengthen pathways into and through good work, and close skills gaps. Hannah holds a postgraduate degree in Global Development.

Claire has been employed within the Further Education sector for over 25 years, for the last 14 years holding senior leadership positions within both the public and private sectors.

Claire originally trained as a mental health nurse and delivered health related training to young people and adults within colleges and independent training providers. Claire has delivered and managed predominantly employer responsive programmes and has extensive expertise of Skills Bootcamps and Apprenticeships.

Claire joined the Association of Colleges (AoC) in January 2024 as Senior Policy Manager for Skills and Industry and leads on Apprenticeship and Skills policy.

Jonny Watkin brings extensive leadership experience from both the UK Further Education sector and the US education system. With a track record of driving innovation and achieving high standards across a variety of provision types, Jonny is passionate about creating opportunities for student success. Jonny supports local and national skills development through strong partnership management with key stakeholders such as Barratt Redrow, Toyota and Kion. A career highlight for Jonny is when his team won the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2023 for the ground-breaking Space Engineering program, run in partnership with the National Space Academy.

He is known for his energetic leadership style, commitment to excellence, and ability to connect with staff and students alike.

Outside of work, Jonny enjoys golf, spending time with his young family, and is a former athlete from his time in the USA.

Ellie is Group People Director at Bagnalls, the national painting contractor established in 1875.   She is responsible for Bagnalls’ People Strategy, including the apprenticeship and Management Trainee programmes.  Over 120 people are engaged in these early careers programmes at Bagnalls.  Ellie is also the Director responsible for Health and Safety.  She is a Chartered Director and Chartered Fellow of the CIPD.

Bagnalls has won multiple awards for its apprenticeship programme including Employer of the Year at the Apprenticeship and Training Awards 2025 and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Employer of the Year at the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2025.  Bagnalls has also won a Princess Royal Training Award for its apprenticeship programme and was listed at # 63 in the Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2026.

Leadership Fellow, Society of Leadership Fellows

Mark has been CEO of The 5% Club since April 2021, having advised the organisation from August 2020. A former Royal Navy Commodore, he brings extensive Board-level HR expertise and leadership experience from across his military and third sector perspectives.

Mark began his 38-year military career as a Weapon Engineer, completing a 5-year Artificer Technical Apprenticeship before reading for an Engineering Degree. His global deployments spanned the Arctic Circle to the South Atlantic and included military operations in the Former Yugoslavia and Indian Ocean.

Focusing on Human Resources for the last 25 years, Mark has led initiatives in talent management, training, and recruitment, earning an OBE in 2017 for transforming Royal Navy Recruiting Operations. A Chartered Engineer, Chartered Manager, and Fellow of CIPD, Mark also holds an executive MBA and is a strong advocate of lifelong learning.

Bilal Arshad is a mechanical engineer at Cundall and works in the built environment. Bilal is also a multi-award winning degree Apprentice and in his fourth year at Coventry university. Some of Bilal’s awards include ‘Education Winner’ at Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers, highly commended for ‘Student of the Year’ at G4C and winner of ‘Apprentice of the Year’ at the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards. In his spare time, Bilal plays cricket, previously playing for Worcestershire and Herefordshire, whilst having a scholarship at university. Recently Bilal has been a panellist at UK construction week and guest speaker at Aston university graduation.

Sammy Shummo is a seasoned professional with nearly two decades of experience in further and higher education, business development, and apprenticeship management. Currently serving as the Group Director of Apprenticeships at London South Bank University (LSBU), Sammy provides strategic leadership for the development, delivery, and impact of LSBU Group’s apprenticeship strategy. Under his leadership, LSBU has experienced significant expansion, increasing both the number of apprenticeship offerings and business partnerships.

Throughout his career, Sammy has demonstrated a strong track record of success in driving apprenticeship growth, forging key partnerships with employers, and achieving business development targets. His proactive approach, coupled with his exceptional interpersonal skills, has enabled him to initiate and cultivate relationships with stakeholders at all levels, contributing to the expansion and enhancement of vocational education opportunities.

Sammy holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from the University of West London and certifications in strategic management and leadership. He is deeply committed to professional development and is actively involved in various industry organisations, including the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC), where he serves as a board member. Sammy is also a Trustee for Gateway Qualifications and Workwhile.

In addition to his professional endeavours, Sammy is dedicated to giving back to his community. He serves as a co-chair of the Apprenticeship Sub Group for the Lambeth Skills and Employment Board, where he contributes to the development of local apprenticeship strategies and initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth and social mobility.

With a passion for promoting excellence and inclusivity in vocational education, Sammy is dedicated to driving positive change within the sector, empowering learners, employers, and communities to thrive in the modern workforce.