As a former business owner, and having worked with residents, stakeholders, training providers and employers in the skills and employment space for nearly 20 years, I have extensive knowledge of both employers and skills landscapes including apprenticeships. I have mainly worked in strategic management roles involving collaboration and partnership working, however also directly with residents helping them to reduce barriers, build skills, gain qualifications, find meaningful employment and progress within the workforce to reach their full potential. I am passionate about continual professional development for all and achieved my own distinction in a Level 5 Apprenticeship - ILM Diploma for Leaders and Managers/ Operations Department Manager, which I started at the age of 40!

Currently I am an Employment and Skills Manager for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, managing a team of Employment and Skills Officers supporting businesses of all sizes in the region with solution focused options, employer incentives and funding to find the talent they need, build future pipelines, retain/ develop existing staff including with apprenticeships and other training, and build progression pathways from within allowing entry level positions to become available. I specialise in developing, implementing, and overseeing our special projects including Funded Paid Internships (for both 18-21-year-olds and 22+), Digital Badging for accrediting essential skills, Talent Hive innovative recruitment system, Youth Guarantee Trailblazer Apprenticeships Age Grants/ Support Packages and Higher Technical Qualifications Grants. Currently I am also developing our Good Work Charter with employers and stakeholders who have shared ambitions for supporting residents and employers in our region and encouraging economy and growth.

Mike Greene is an accomplished entrepreneur, business leader, and philanthropist
with a diverse and impressive career. As the Co-founder and CEO of a successful
global research business, he has demonstrated his ability to grow and lead multi-
million pound enterprises. Greene has served as a main board advisor and event
speaker for numerous world-renowned companies across various industries,
including energy, retail, consumer goods, and finance. His expertise has also led him
to invest in and mentor over 30 start-up and growth businesses, while currently
advising over 40 UK businesses.
Beyond his business acumen, Greene is deeply committed to philanthropy and
community development. He has been involved in significant property development
projects in the Peterborough and Cambridgeshire area, and has held notable
positions such as Trustee of Peterborough Cathedral and Patron of Peterborough
Lions Rugby Club. Greene played a crucial role in the early fundraising and
establishing of Peterborough University and is an ambassador for Cambridgeshire
Children's Hospital. His diverse interests extend to endurance adventures, including
sailing, marathons, mountain climbing, and cycling challenges. Greene's
contributions have been recognised with an Honorary Doctorate in Education from
Anglia Ruskin University and he has been named one of the 100 most influential
leaders in the grocery industry.

Pep Cipriano is Chief Operating Officer for Peterborough’s Business Improvement District Peterborough Positive – Established in 2020, PeterboroughBID is an organisation set up to improve Peterborough city centre for everyone.

A well-known representative of the city, Pep is an award-winning communications professional with more than 25 years’ experience and track record of overseeing marketing campaigns, event management and external communications services at a senior and strategic level.
Pep has worked in both B2B and B2C, private and public sector backdrops and in sectors including local government, leisure, hospitality, finance, education, heritage, catering, tourism and placemaking.
His career began with promoting the UK’s first pizza delivery business – Papa Luigi, before joining Peterborough United as Assistant Press Officer and working his way up to Head of Communications and then PR and Project Manager for Fens Tourism. His next challenge was to head up marketing for a sub-prime mortgage packager and network.
His marketing experience then took him to Peterborough City Council where he filled several communications roles and eventually became the local authority’s Marketing Manager. He started the decade at City College Peterborough as Communications and Marketing Manager, before embarking on his current role at Peterborough Positive in June 2022.

Pep’s solid knowledge of Peterborough, combined with his strong connections and unquestionable passion and enthusiasm for where he lives makes him the perfect champion for the city and a true mentor for an apprentice, who forms part of his team.

Experienced manager with significance experience of commercial development in sales, marketing and HR. Most recently focused on delivery within the engineering and manufacturing sector but with a background in HR management and a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD experienced in a range of public and private sectors including start up businesses.
Skilled in strategic planning, implementation and delivery, negotiation, HR consulting, talent development, coaching and executive search.
A management professional with a BA Hons in Business Management from Sheffield Hallam University, qualified to operate and analyse psychometric tests and committed to ongoing personal and professional development.

Andrew Pakes is the Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament for Peterborough, serving since the 2024 General Election. He is passionate about apprenticeships and creating opportunities for young people. Andrew is Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships bringing together MPs and Peers to raise the profile of skills in Westminster, with Government and with employers.

He is also Chair of the APPG on the Future of Work and is interested in how digital technology and AI will transform jobs and training. Before entering Parliament, Andrew was the Deputy General Secretary of Prospect union representing a diverse membership across science, technology and engineering jobs.

Andrew is a member of Advisor Board for the London AI Campus (an initiative by Camden Council and Google), and an Associated Fellow at the ESRC-funded Digital Futures At Work Research Centre. He is also a former member of the OECD’s Expert Panel on AI,

I am Amanda Gauton, Workforce Development Business Partner for Peterborough City Council. My role support staff accessing apprenticeships as part of their own workplace development, together with new apprenticeship vacancies, where we can ‘grow our own’ talent.
I have completed several apprenticeships myself throughout my career, ensuring I am developing my own workplace knowledge, skills and behaviours and enhancing my CV too!

Currently studying my level 6, Career Development Professional Apprenticeship. My experience in education before PCC has given me extensive knowledge of career development pathways.
I am a true advocate of apprenticeships! and have worked in apprenticeships sector for the past 19+ years, from providing advice and guidance to apprentices, recruiting apprentices and the delivery of apprenticeship for 8 years as a qualified assessor.

As an apprenticeship ambassador, I take great pride in assisting with career-focused events and sharing my expertise to benefit others.