We Help People Move Forward
For over 18 years, EMS has helped people start businesses, build careers, gain confidence, and develop practical skills that make a real difference.
Wherever You're Starting From
EMS can support you.
I Want to Start a Business
Practical support for turning ideas into action.
I’m Self-Employed
Improve marketing, systems, and business confidence.
I Manage a Team
Build leadership and communication skills.
I’m Looking to Retrain
Gain new skills and recognised qualifications.
I Run a Business
Support your team with practical workplace training.
I Want to Explore a Counselling Career
Support your others with counselling workplace training.
Training Built Around Real Life
Many people are balancing work, family, business, confidence, and uncertainty about what comes next. That’s why our training focuses on practical skills that can be applied immediately.
Practical Learning
Real skills for real situations.
Supportive Environment
A place where questions are encouraged.
Clear Next Steps
Helping people understand what comes next.
What We Teach
Business Skills
Practical support for turning ideas into action.
Digital Marketing
Social media, SEO, websites, and email marketing.
Leadership & Management
Training for new and existing managers.
Counselling Skills
Develop communication and listening skills.
IT Skills
Build confidence using workplace technology.
Business Growth
Improve systems, planning, sales, and marketing.
Meet the Team
Get to know the team. We are more than a group of trainers.
Phil Teasdale
Chief Executive Officer
& Founder
What I Do
A Little About Me
Outside of work, I enjoy going to the gym, walking Jack my dog, reading as many books as possible and I’m also on a mission to find the UK’s best bakery and croissant.
Andy Fay
Managing Director
What I Do
I lead the strategic direction of EMS, ensuring we deliver high-quality training, consultancy, and business support that creates meaningful outcomes for learners, employers, and communities. I focus on driving growth, oversight of operations, partnerships, innovation, and maintaining the internal and external standards that underpin everything we do.
A Little About Me
I love outdoor challenges, mountain climbs, hard training, and adventure. I’m also a proud dad to two daughters and a pet tiger, Chubbs.
Cathy Rutherford
Financial Director
What I Do
I manage the organisation’s financial strategy, planning, and overall financial management.
A Little About Me
Outside work, I help run our farm cottage Airbnb, walk our two dogs on beaches and moors, and enjoy golf, paddleboarding, and cold North Sea swims.
Andrea Clarke
Client Development Director
What I Do
I represent EMS at events, build relationships, meet new people, and help individuals and businesses find the right training opportunities.
A Little About Me
Outside of work, I enjoy family days out, being Sunderland AFC season ticket holders, and getting lost in a good book to help me switch off.
Carol Metcalfe
Director of Training
What I Do
I manage our training delivery and write the courses, making sure they’re engaging and help both our learners and training team move forward.
A Little About Me
When I do step away, my world centres on a large, lively family of four daughters and four grandsons.
Kaye Lake
Contract Operations Manager
What I Do
I secure FE funding through strong applications and tenders, working with commissioners and funding bodies to build partnerships and funding opportunities.
A Little About Me
I’m married with two grown-up children and love good conversation, great company, walking, visiting new places, and the chaos of a silent disco.
Daniel Mearns
Operations Manager
What I Do
I ensure the smooth delivery of day-to-day business activities, coordinating teams, systems, and processes to maintain efficiency and high-quality service.
A Little About Me
I love spending my time with my children, we can often be visiting National Trust locations or hanging around the beach.
Heather Green
Compliance Manager
What I Do
I support quality and compliance across our programmes, ensuring standards are met and learners receive the best experience.
A Little About Me
Most of my time is spent chasing after a busy toddler and two dogs, all of whom seem to be one step ahead of me!
Nicholas Wetherell
Marketing Manager
What I Do
I manage and facilitate all of the marketing at EMS, as well as leading on commercial marketing projects.
A Little About Me
I’m a huge cricket fan and have played since I was 8. Away from cricket, I am normally travelling or baking – I love both.
Penni Samter-Smith
Trainer
What I Do
I deliver a mixture of business and counselling skills courses to improve their life.
A Little About Me
Outside work, I recharge with beach walks with the dogs, family meals, hot chocolate, and gym sessions that help me stay focused and calm.
Matthew Jones
Trainer
What I Do
I teach marketing to small businesses. Not just the boring stuff. Getting creative with photos, videos, AI and storytelling. Building confidence and creativity.
A Little About Me
Recovering librarian. I still like books, plays and putting them in order on a shelf. I regularly mangle showtunes on a guitar in the safety of my living room.
Connor Bassett
Trainer
What I Do
I help people build digital confidence and get noticed online by marketing smarter, with practical training and strategy.
A Little About Me
When I’m not at work, you’ll usually find me 100%-ing video games, crafting the perfect playlist for any situation, or disappearing down a rabbit hole of random interests.
George Taylor
Skills Broker
What I Do
I help people explore employment, self-employment and training opportunities, connecting them with the support and skills they need to succeed.
A Little About Me
I have recently passed my driving test and love working on and modding my car.
Jake Balfour
Skills Broker
What I Do
I help people explore employment, self-employment, and training opportunities, connecting them with the support and skills they need to succeed.
A Little About Me
When I’m not at work you’ll either find me on the golf course, in the pool hall, or performing with my band!
Nick Rodgers
Skills Broker
What I Do
I help businesses of all sizes, sole traders, creatives and larger employers, to identify skills needs, access training opportunities and develop to improve productivity and growth.
A Little About Me
For the last 10 years, I’ve loved creating immersive experiences, building it into a business, and enjoying family days out with my son.
Donna Liddle
Business Advisor
What I Do
I help aspiring business owners move from idea to reality, building confidence and taking practical steps to start and grow.
A Little About Me
Outside work, I enjoy adventures with my partner and two Labradors, reading, travelling and following the world of motorbike racing.
Maria Lannon
Creatives Project Specialist
What I Do
I support creative businesses. I deliver ETCH which is a network for creatives and the Creative Catapult and Creative Lift off courses.
A Little About Me
I create pastel pet portraits, capturing each animal’s character through detailed artwork. I also love supporting local live music gigs.
Chloe Fysh
Administrator
What I Do
I provide administrative support, specialising in data processing, records management, filing system administration and handling internal and external communications.
A Little About Me
Outside work, I love countryside walks with my dog Charlie, spending time with my horse, and riding around the fields after work.
Negina Singh
Administrator
What I Do
I provide administrative support, specialising in data processing, records management, filing system administration and handling internal and external communications.
A Little About Me
I love spending quality time with my family creating special memories and sharing lots of laughs! In my spare time I love to cook and try new recipes. My favourite film is The Notebook and I also love watching Disney classics with my kids.
Maureen Gilfoyle
Internal Quality Assurance
What I Do
I oversee the management and quality of assessment at EMS, this involves working closely with the assessment team and awarding organisations.
A Little About Me
Happiest in the kitchen cooking and baking, with a glass of wine and Sam Fender on repeat! Proud Mam to two incredible boys!
Our Training Values
We Explore Opportunities
We seek out opportunities along with being passionate about developing our clients, so they too are equipped to embrace the opportunities ahead.
We Learn And
Never Stop
We are committed to reflection and continuous improvement, so we deliver the very best service to our learners, clients, and partners.
We Do The
Right Thing
We aim to get it right first time and to be fair and honest in our reflections when we fall short.
We Seek Innovative Partnerships
We continually strive to engage with the very best partners, where there will be a positive impact for all and for our learners and clients.
We Are All About The Learner
We keep the impact on our learners at the forefront of every decision and action we take.
We Are Mindful Of Our People
We care and aim to ensure each staff member is valued for their contribution through recognition and respect.
