Jamie’s background goes back to the retail sector but has been in education and training for almost 30 years.

Starting off as an assessor/trainer and gaining Qualified Teacher Learning & Skills (QTLS) status in 2010 has operated at every level of the business.

Jamie set up Focus Training with 7 other partners in 1999 after being made redundant by the training company they worked for.

In 2011 he was key in the merger with DCET and forming The Focus Training Group and has been MD since then.

In that time Jamie has driven the growth of the group to where it is today as one of the largest providers in the Southwest.

After leaving school Bernard joined a local electrical contractor as an apprentice electrician and was fortunate to work on a wide range of projects from domestic rewires through to military installations throughout the UK and abroad. Bernard worked in the industry for 25 years as an approved electrician, QS and manager, latterly specialising in periodic inspection and testing.

Bernard moved into education in 2004, joining DCET Training, now part of The Focus Training Group, as a lecturer, training apprentices and CPD courses. Bernard became curriculum manager in 2012 and specialises in highway electrical and higher professional diploma training.

Bernard was invited to become an executive director for The Focus Training Group in 2017.

After leaving full time education, Mark worked in the retail sector for 16 years starting as a cadet manager at a regional cooperative society and finishing as a senior manager with Tesco in one of their flagship stores. Mark moved into the world of education, starting as an assessor in retail and warehousing. Mark worked for 4 different organisations including a college of further education and two national training companies in various management roles. Mark joined Focus Training in 2010 as a senior training consultant looking specifically at introducing electronic portfolios to the team. After 8 years Mark was invited to become an executive director for the group, a role that he has held since 2017.

Cheryl Hobbs, Group Finance & Administration Director

After leaving full time education, Cheryl joined the training and education industry in 2006 as an apprentice for the Focus Training Group. Since then, Cheryl has worked her way up through the company by multiple promotions in different departments whilst gaining a wide range of experience and qualifications, which include administration, accountancy and management which has led her to the director position she holds today. Cheryl’s whole career has been in the education industry, and she is very dedicated to the growth and improvement of this sector.