After gaining BSc (Hons) and MSc degrees in Engineering Materials Technology at the University of Aston, Graham was awarded a PhD from Teesside University.

Chairman of the Engineering and Manufacturing Route Panel for the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education since 2018

In 1987 he was awarded a Winston Churchill Medal for his study of supercritical steam turbine technology.
In 1997 he was awarded a silver medal from the Royal Academy of Engineering for outstanding contribution to British Engineering.
In 1988 Graham joined Sheffield Forgemasters as Technical Director. He led a management buyout of the Company and was appointed Chief Executive in 2005.

Graham was awarded a CBE in 2008.

At the IOD Director of the Year Awards in 2010, Graham won the Global Director of the Year.

In July 2012 Graham was awarded the Bessemer Gold Medal. He was voted the International Person of the Year at the YBI International Business Awards in May 2013 and named CEO Of the Year at the national Private Business Awards in September 2013.

In February 2013 Graham was made an Honorary Professor of Strategic Management at Sheffield University Management School and awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration at Teesside University in November 2013.

Graham left Sheffield Forgemasters in 2021 having set up his own consultancy Sarach Steel Technologies Ltd which he now runs as Managing Director

Before joining Asda as the Apprenticeship Lead, I spent 25 years in retail management, managing teams from 5 to over 200 across various retailers. My passion has always been supporting people to reach their full potential. Outside of work, I am the Chair of my local community group and run a monthly makers market. I enjoy long walks and adventures with my wife and our two French bulldogs.

I’m James, Development Manager at Skills Street – South Yorkshire’s new, immersive ‘world of work’ learning experience based on site at Gulliver’s Valley theme park in Rotherham. Vocational learning is at the heart of everything I do, working with local, regional and national businesses to inspire our next generation workforce one skill at a time. A degree qualified Journalist with commercial recruitment experience and eight years as an employer engagement specialist in higher education – I’m passionate about talent development and offering hands on support to industry.

Ellie Jobes is Group People Director at Bagnalls, the national painting contractor established in 1875. The business has employed apprentices since 1877.
Ellie has worked at Bagnalls for 14 years. She is responsible for the People Strategy at Bagnalls which includes early careers programmes. Around 100 employees are currently undertaking apprenticeships or Bagnalls’ Management Trainee programme.
Bagnalls was named in the Department for Education Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2022 and won the Large Business Apprenticeship Employer category at the West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards 2023.
Ellie is a Chartered Fellow of CIPD, a Chartered Director and a Chartered Member of IOSH.

Keith joined the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub in September ’23 as the Hub’s Manager. He and his team provide free and impartial advice to employers to help them make better and more informed decisions when employing an apprentice. Prior to this he has worked for a university, independent training provider and two professional bodies in senior apprenticeship roles. Back in 1985 Keith started his career as an apprentice with British Aerospace which he states created a great foundation for his future.

Darren has been a Leader and Manager at AESSEAL for 4.5 years.

He is currently the Head of UK Learning and Development for +650 employees, and he is responsible for engaging with UK departmental heads, national training providers, and the Department of Education to capture and drive the L & D needs of AESSEAL; a fast-paced global engineering & manufacturing organisation based in South Yorkshire. This includes all early careers and apprentice requirements (+125 live apprenticeships), internships and placements, statutory health and safety training, succession planning, and all other aspects of Learning and Development and Continual Professional Development required by the UK business. In addition, as an Enterprise Advisor and Social Mobility advocate for AESSEAL, Darren collaborates with several schools and regional initiatives to prepare young people for the world of work.

Prior to joining AESSEAL, Darren was in the British Army for +24 years and finished his soldier career as a Regimental Sergeant Major at the Royal School of Military Engineering in Camberley, where he was also selected for commission to Captain. As a Royal Engineer he spent most of his career at high readiness with Commando and Airborne Forces, whilst also working in Training and Development. He has served across the globe in a variety of role, and he is now a Commissioned Officer in the Army Reserve. He also the veteran lead for AESSEAL. Darren has recently been selected to be the Officer Commanding 106 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers, and will take command later this year.

Recently completing a Masters Degree in Leadership and Management, Darren lives in Derbyshire with his wife; Victoria and daughters Poppy (13) and Charlotte (10). In his spare time, he enjoys keeping fit, and where time allows, skiing anywhere where the snow conditions and après ski are favourable.