Skills and Employment Advisory Group

Laurence Frewin has served as Principal and CEO of South Devon College since 2019, driving growth, sustainability, and skills development. With a background in banking and finance, he sits on regional and national boards, championing social mobility, economic progress, and environmental leadership.

Sharron is the CEO of the Devon & Cornwall Training Providers Network, representing training providers from across the region. She is the Vice Chair of the DTCCA SEAG and is passionate about how skills and training can support individuals and businesses develop and grow. Sharron was awarded an MBE in 2021 for her work within the skills sector.

Paul is an educational specialist with over 20 years’ experience, he leads City College Plymouth’s digital strategy, driving innovation, skills growth and opportunity across the region. Paul is passionate about technology’s power to transform lives, and champions apprenticeships and digital inclusion, aligning education with employer needs to deliver social mobility, economic prosperity and regional growth.

Ronnie Carter is the Head of Partnership and Innovation at Devon Chamber of Commerce, leading the development and delivery of the Local Skills Improvement Plan. With over 15 years of experience across skills and training, employability and business growth, Ronnie supports collaborative approaches that strengthen workforce resilience and opportunity.

Richard is the Chief Operating Officer at Exeter College, one of the largest tertiary Colleges in England and rated Ofsted Outstanding. The College offers the city of Exeter and the wider region a range of courses including A Levels, BTECs, T Levels, Apprenticeships, Higher Technical Education, and adult learning courses.

Sarah is a Director of Education for the Ted Wragg Trust and has over 20 years’ experience working in secondary education. The Ted Wragg Trust is made up of 18 schools across Devon & Plymouth, serving over 15,000 students and over 2,00 staff. Sarah supports several secondary schools in Exeter and East Devon and leads the Sixth Form and Careers networks across the Trust.

Professor Lisa Roberts is President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter. Lisa is a Board member of the Russell Group, Vice-President and Board member of Universities UK, and is also Chair of the IDP Connect UK Strategic Advisory Board.

Ed is the Principal of Bicton and Duchy Colleges. The Colleges cater for a wide variety of Land-based education including agriculture, forestry, engineering, animal management, equine and vet. Ed’s areas of focus are rural skills, regional and national food security and environmental sustainability.

Professor John Curnow is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience. John leads on all aspects of education at the University of Plymouth; how they teach, how students learn, and how the University enable students to benefit from a high quality, inclusive, and very special student experience at Plymouth.