Chris is Head of Empowering Employment and is responsible for the overall operation of the team, creating the Employer and Provider Partner Networks and overseeing our supported apprenticeship delivery.

He also undertakes consultancy work for businesses and other charitable organisations to help develop inclusive hiring programmes.

Chris has a wealth of experience, bringing together many years working with Apprenticeship providers, schools, colleges and employers. He specialises in the field of learning disability (LD) into-work support, as a qualified Assessor Coach, CAVA assessor and TSI & SET Trained Job Coach. He has also supported with over 30 inclusive Apprenticeships and Traineeships and run multiple Department for Education Pilots & Department for Work and Pensions supported into-work programmes.

Chris’ work with supported apprenticeships & supported employment was recognised in 2022, when Smart Training and Recruitment presented him with an “Outstanding Contribution to Supported Apprenticeships Award’ and in 2023, when he was the “Community and Inclusion” award winner at the Portsmouth’s Man of the Year awards.

Outside of work, Chris is a Non-Executive Director for Shaping Portsmouth, a non for profit organisation helping grow the city of Portsmouth. Chris oversees the community pillar strategy, which supports several programmes, including Charity Support, Portsmouth Ambassadors & Choose Employability.

Chris also sits as a Trustee for the Monica Appeal, which supports community based and grassroots charities by connecting them to businesses who can support them with time and resources.

Elliot is an Employment Mentor based in Portsmouth.

His role includes workplace support, job coaching and approaching businesses to carve out employment opportunities for the individuals we support.

He also leads on the delivery of the Portsmouth City Council Supported Internships programme, and supports our Supported Apprenticeship graduates.

Elliot was awarded a BSc Geology with Physical Geography from Edge Hill University and and MSc Crisis and Disaster Management from Portsmouth University. He is a BASE Trained Job Coach, completing TSI and SET certificates.

Elliot spent many years training staff in the Hospitality sector and has been able to put those skills to good use for Empowering Employment. During his studies, Elliot also spent time volunteering at the Stacey Community Centre’s ‘Friday Night Club’, a disco and games night for people with learning disabilities.

In his spare time Elliot enjoys reading, playing chess, and running.

Diana is the programme lead for Step Up for Work across the New Forest and Southampton.

Her role includes recruitment, delivering workshop sessions, visits to employers, creating work placements, CV Creation and Interview Practice. Diana also works closely with the Department for work and pensions to find suitable candidates for work.  

Diana’s formal qualifications include a Masters in Public Health and an NCFE Level 3 qualification in Teaching and Education. 

Coming from a project management background, she ran her own successful social care business for 10 years, after which she mentored unemployed people in setting up and running their own businesses. 

Diana has always been strongly linked with the wider Minstead Trust, having volunteered as cookery teacher, at Furzey Gardens and now at Hanger Farm 

Outside work she is a hiker, has an allotment, takes Italian lessons and is Parish Clerk to Minstead Parish Council. She loves live music, at festivals, theatres and in pubs. She enjoys meeting friends for walks, days out, drinks and meals.

Abi is an Employment Mentor based in Portsmouth.

Her role includes workplace support, job coaching and approaching businesses to carve out employment opportunities for the individuals we support. Abi works alongside Elliot with the delivery of the Portsmouth City Council Supported Internships programme, and looks after the Step Up for Work Graduates.

Abi was awarded a Bsc in Childhood & Youth Studies at the University of Portsmouth in 2019, and is a qualified NAS Mentor specialising in supporting learners with ADHD & Autism.

Abi has been working within the education industry for over 10 years and started her career journey as an Outdoor Educator, Teaching Assistant, and worked her way up to becoming heavily involved with Business & Learner Engagement for both Eastleigh and Portsmouth College.

Outside of work, Abi enjoys being outside and hiking; having climbed many mountains in the UK including Ben Nevis and Mount Snowdon. Abi also loves spending time with her cherished pet dog, Kenna.