Presenter Profiles 2026
Leanne Hallett
Senior Qualifications Manager, Qualifications Wales
Leanne brings a wealth of experience to her role of Senior Qualification Manager within the Qualifications Policy and Reform directorate, having previously spent 14 years teaching in Further Education. Leanne is responsible for overseeing Post-16 Vocational Qualifications and works to ensure these qualifications meet the needs of learners and the broader educational landscape. Leanne works collaboratively with Awarding Bodies, Further Education, and Work-Based Learning providers to secure a robust Post-16 vocational qualification offer for Wales.
Dean Seabrook
Senior Qualifications Manager, Qualifications Wales
Dean is a member of the Qualifications Policy and Reform directorate and since joining Qualifications Wales has worked on the development and implementation of new vocational and general qualifications in digital technology, and construction and the built environment. Dean now leads our Modernising Assessment project, supporting the introduction of digital assessments within new national qualifications, and exploring the opportunities provided by new and emerging digital technologies for enhancing assessments in the future.
Jon Nottingham
Young Adults Resilience Coach, Resilient Futures Coach
Jon is the founder of Resilient Futures Coach, with over 10 years’ experience across education, wellbeing, and coaching. Resilient Futures Coach works with education providers and workplaces to deliver workshops, coaching programmes, and training for practitioners and managers. The organisation supports young adults to build resilience, confidence, emotional intelligence, and effective habits, enabling smoother transitions from education into employment and improved engagement, wellbeing, and performance in real-world settings.
Amie Field
Interim Director of Service Delivery, Careers Wales
Amie’s role involves driving forward the organisation’s careers guidance services, employer engagement and curriculum support. She has worked at Careers Wales for nearly 20 years and as a Director, Amie is deeply committed to the organisation’s mission and values the opportunity to shape Careers Wales services for the benefit of its customers.
Amie is responsible for Services to Young People, Services to Stakeholders and Working Wales, also leading on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
Emily Jones
Interim Head of Services for Young People, Careers Wales
Emily is responsible for the delivery of careers information, advice and guidance services to young people in education, as well as those educated outside of the school system. Emily joined the Careers Wales management team in 2018 as part of the launch of Working Wales. She subsequently led the Business Insight team, strengthening the organisation’s data, insight and reporting. In 2025, Emily returned to customer delivery as Interim Head of Services for Young People.
Matt Townsend
Senior AI specialist, Jisc
With over 30 years’ experience in the Higher Education sector as an IT specialist, academic and business analyst, Matt Townsend advises the tertiary education sector on all matters relating to artificial intelligence at Jisc. He focuses particularly on AI’s impact on research and professional services, supporting institutions to adopt AI strategically and responsibly. He brings a cross-sector perspective spanning technology, teaching and operations.
Lisa Winstone
Chief Executive, Education Workforce Council
Lisa is responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of the EWC. She joined the EWC in 2018 following her previous role as Head of Financial Planning and Analysis at the Office for National Statistics.
David Browne
Director of Regulation, Education Workforce Council
David is responsible for the EWC’s fitness to practise, registration, and data functions. He joined the EWC in November 2020 following his previous role as a senior trade union official with a teaching union.
Mark Evans
HMI, Estyn
Mark has been an HMI with Estyn for nearly 20 years and is the lead officer for work-based learning/apprenticeships. Mark has significant inspection experience across the post-16 sector as well as compulsory education. Prior to joining Estyn Mark had extensive experience in the post-16 sector including leadership and senior management roles. This included the management and quality assurance of work-based learning provision. Mark is a qualified teacher with specific sector expertise in engineering and construction
Matt Williams
HMI, Estyn
Matt has been an HMI within Estyn’s post-16 team since 2023 and is the lead officer for Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeships. Prior to joining Estyn, he was a senior leader in the further education sector, with extensive experience delivering large apprenticeship contracts across the public and private sectors. Matt has also previously served as a senior apprenticeships manager within the Welsh Government Apprenticeship Policy Unit and as a member of the NTFW board.
Leigh Hughes
Chair, Cardiff Capital Region Employment & Skills Board
Leigh has been Chair of Cardiff Capital Region Employment & Skills Board since 2018 and been an advisor to both UK and Wales Government on employability and skills across all sectors. As recent Chair of CITB Wales Nation Council Leigh is a strong advocate of Apprenticeships and the value they bring to the individual and company.
He has worked in the construction industry for over 35 years across the UK at Board level in several organisations and is the owner and Managing Director of Felicitas Consultancy, providing strategies in the fields of Project Management, Strategic Management, Business Growth and Decarbonisation.
Cath Morris-Roberts
Senior Skills Delivery Officer, North Wales Regional Skills Partnership
Cath Morris-Roberts is the Senior Skills Delivery Officer for the North Wales Regional Skills Partnership. She works closely with employers and stakeholders to gather intelligence on current and future skills challenges and to identify solutions that support workforce development and address regional labour market needs. With over 15 years’ experience in skills and apprenticeships, Cath brings extensive expertise in connecting employers with learning and development opportunities to strengthen the workforce and drive regional economic growth.
Jane Lewis
Regional Partnership Manager, South West Wales Regional Learning and Skills Partnership
Jane is the Regional Partnership Manager for the South West Wales Regional Learning and Skills Partnership and leads the Skills and Talent Intervention project under the Swansea Bay City Deal.
Jane directs initiatives involving engagement, consultation, and coordination with regional and cross-border partners, providers, employers, and beneficiaries. Her efforts support the development of a sustainable regional economy through the cultivation of a flexible skills base. The evidence gathered informs recommendations submitted to the Welsh Government in the annual Employment and Skills Plan.
