Meet the Team

David Gallagher, Chief Executive Officer

When I left college, I worked for BT in a contact centre and the great training made it feel very much like an apprenticeship. From there, I moved into commercial recruitment before falling into ‘Welfare to Work’, which I quickly came to love.

Subsequently, my career has always been in and around education and training. I’ve worked for big and small businesses, in the public and private sectors, and have also established several start-up businesses. This experience has helped me to see the sector from a variety of vantage points and hopefully, has given me the insight and experience to make a positive contribution to the sector long into the future.

Helen Ketteringham, Chief People Officer

I’m a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and Member of the Association for Coaching. I volunteer as a Steps Ahead Mentor in support of early careers and also help local schools with career strategies, as an Enterprise Advisor.

My career in Human Resources has spanned retail, financial services, local government and now education. I’m fascinated by psychology and believe that everyone should have access to learning and the choice of a purposeful, enjoyable career.

I advocate coaching as a true enabler of career development and personal growth.

Kris Todd, Chief Financial Officer

After leaving university, I joined PwC as an auditor. It provided a great foundation for a career in finance and allowed me to work with a wide variety of clients across multiple sectors.

After leaving PwC, I moved into various Corporate Finance roles, eventually joining Newcastle College Group as it expanded from being North East-based, to a national group of colleges and training providers. I loved this work – helping with mergers, acquisitions, business planning, investments and negotiating and structuring deals to mitigate risk. This was also my first experience of working in the education and not-for-profit sectors, and it allowed me to see first-hand how education can have a transformative impact on people’s lives.

Stewart Foster, Chief Regulatory Officer

After starting out working as an apprentice engineer, I moved into the education and training sector, working initially for Rolls Royce and Siemens Training Departments. I then moved into FE where I worked in many different roles, from curriculum to quality, over a 13-year period.

I joined NCFE in 2012 and have enjoyed numerous roles in my time here, including as Director of Product and Quality, Chief Operating Officer, and Managing Director of the Awarding business.

I recognise the impact that qualifications and learning have on people and the doors that they can open.

Philip Le Feuvre, Chief Operating Officer

When I left university, I became a primary school teacher on the Teach First programme. My first two years were in schools in Hackney, North London. It was a very steep learning curve, but the experience taught me a lot about the role education can play in transforming lives and tackling social inequality.

I later moved over to management consulting, working in PwC’s Strategy team in London and Sydney to help clients across the schools, further education, higher education and employment sectors. I joined NCFE in 2020, and the sense of purpose, commitment and passion of colleagues means I haven’t looked back.

Lee Buck, Head of Employer Product Strategy

I started working in the sector in the early 90’s, running after-school activity sessions, clubs, and activity camps. After completing a degree in Sport Science, I then moved into Leisure Operations and was involved in running a number of health clubs.

During 2004, I moved from an operational role to a sector role responsible for shaping national occupational standards and the Register of Exercise Professionals.

In 2008, I joined Active IQ and have been responsible for qualification development for the last 10 years. During this time, I have helped to grow Active IQ’s offering from a handful of qualifications to over 100. My knowledge of the industry and understanding of the education and awarding sectors enable me to develop high quality, fit-for-purpose qualifications which meet the needs of the sector.

Lisa Skelton, Head of Business Development

I have over two decades of industry expertise and bring a wealth of experience and passion for health and fitness. My journey began with Everyone Active, where I honed my skills in various roles from Duty Manager to Contract Sales Manager, over a span of 20 years. I have a deep understanding of the sector and a commitment to excellence, which positioned me as a key player in the company's success.

In 2021, I joined Active IQ as a Business Development Manager. With a strategic vision and dedication to promoting quality education, I’ve supported the expansion of our international programs of study. My role involves representing Active IQ at prestigious events, such as in Dubai, Germany and Croatia, where I can showcase our commitment to delivering high quality educational offerings globally. As of August 2024, I took on the role of Head of Business Development. In this capacity, I continue to drive growth and innovation, ensuring that our programs remain at the forefront of the industry.