Retail manager apprenticeship

I am currently a Senior Training and Development Officer within the Business Skills unit at Realise Training, where I deliver apprenticeships in Customer Service, Retail, and Team Leading.

My career began in retail, where I progressed from frontline roles to Store Manager. Over the past 28 years, I’ve built on that foundation to transition into training and development—first as a Regional Trainer and now in my current senior role at Realise.

This position offers the best of both worlds: I continue to support learners through their apprenticeship journeys, helping them develop skills and confidence in their roles, while also mentoring and guiding colleagues within the team. Sharing insights and fostering growth—both in learners and fellow trainers—is a part of the job I find especially rewarding.

With over 25 years of experience in the training industry, I bring a wealth of knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm to my role. As a dedicated Training and Development Officer within the Business Skills team, my positive and approachable style has helped support apprentices aged 16 to 74 — proving that you're never too young or too old to learn!

Outside of work, I have a deep passion for history, particularly World War II. I’ve travelled extensively across France, visiting battlefields, cemeteries, and memorials. The top item on my bucket list? Flying in a Spitfire!

I have been a proud member of the Realise training team since October 2018. My journey in adult education began in 2010 as a Numeracy and ICT tutor (up to Level 2), and over the years, I transitioned into assessing qualifications in Retail, Customer Service, and Business Administration. This shift was a natural progression, given my extensive background and hands-on experience in the retail, customer service, and office administration sectors.

I’ve always enjoyed working closely with people - whether face-to-face or over the phone and take genuine pride in going the extra mile to help resolve any issues they may face. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing someone’s satisfaction when a problem is solved or when they’ve learned something new.

My passion for sharing knowledge and helping others grow inspired me to pursue a career in adult education. I believe in supporting individuals to reach their full potential, particularly young people taking their first steps into the world of work. Guiding them to build valuable skills and develop confidence is a role I find incredibly fulfilling and one that continues to motivate me every day.

Outside of work, I’m a proud father to two wonderful boys and love spending quality time with my family. I’m an avid sports fan (especially of football and cricket) and a devoted Manchester United supporter. I also have a strong interest in travel, which has led me to start building a travel website where I plan to share my experiences through written and video blogs. My wife has been a great support in capturing photos and videos for our content.

It’s been a truly rewarding journey with Realise so far, and I look forward to continuing this path for many more years to come.

I started my working life as a customer service assistant for a large, well-known food retailer and worked my way up to supervisor. Exploring a variety of roles gave me real insight into how a large organisation operates and how vital its people are to its success.

I later progressed into a higher management role and completed an apprenticeship to support my development. That experience inspired me to use my own journey to support others and motivate them to grow through learning.

It was then that I decided to change career paths and move into the apprenticeship and training sector.

I’ve now worked in the industry for over 21 years, supporting individuals to develop the knowledge and skills they need to achieve their goals. I’ve always believed that learning should be an enjoyable, empowering experience and I bring that ethos into everything I do to engage and inspire those on their learning journey.

I began my career in hospitality management before transitioning into retail, where I held roles as an Operations Manager and later within a Category team focused on product sourcing.

Throughout my career, I’ve developed strong skills in customer service, business administration, data analysis, and multi-site operations management. I’ve always taken a proactive approach to my development, regularly completing additional courses to expand my knowledge and strengthen my capabilities.

In 2022, I moved into the apprenticeship sector — a space where I’ve been able to channel my genuine passion for helping others grow. Supporting individuals as they learn, develop, and achieve their goals has been both rewarding and inspiring.