MEET THE TEAM
Find out more about our experienced, professional & innovative team
Leadership & Governance
Eva Harrison
CEO, Founder and DSL
Hi I'm Eva. I'm the CEO and Founder of Career Seekers Direct and work with our different client groups to ensure their needs around career guidance and skills development become a reality. I have an extensive background and professional qualifications in learning & development, career guidance and career coaching. I am lucky that as well as setting the company's strategic direction, I still get to deliver some of our services including career consultancy in schools and colleges, career guidance sessions and Youth Mental Health training. My spare time is spent with my 3 sons, walking my lively spaniel or socialising with my friends.
Steve Stewart
Chair of Governance
Hi I'm Steve. I provide independent governance and reviews to Career Seekers Direct as they deliver their range of services. I review and report on all aspects of Career Seekers Direct's business including Safeguarding, operational performance and service delivery. Â l bring my knowledge and experience of working in the following roles to support the company:Â Managing Director of Quality Career Services Ltd. Executive Director of Connexions for Coventry & Warwickshire. Chief Executive of CWSLP. Executive Director of Careers England Ltd.
Delivery Team
Neil Adams
Employability Coach, Quality Manager and SAM Camp Manager
Hi I'm Neil. I support the development and delivery of our employability skills and enterprise sessions for students in schools and colleges. I also manage and develop our Skills and More Activity Camps which take place during the Holidays and online. I am also the company's Designated Safeguarding Lead and Quality Manager. Our clients would describe me as honest, loyal, professional, caring and witty.  Outside of work, I coach football, cook or am busy looking after my 3 wonderful sons.
Andrea O'Brien
L6 Careers Advisor
Hi, I'm Andrea.  I'm a Level 6 Careers Information & Guidance Advisor. I love working with young people to support them in their next steps and to help them make the right decision for their futures.  I have 8 years experience of working within various educational provisions, including mainstream and SEND schools and mental health settings and was previously a HR Professional. I am also a qualified Assessor and I have previously worked towards achieving the Quality in Careers Standard Award.   People would describe me as friendly, approachable and loyal. When I'm not working, I love spending time with my family, especially my husband and 3 daughters and I also enjoy swimming and kickboxing.
Yvonne Matthews
Trainee Careers & Deputy DSL
Hi I'm Yvonne. I have experience in working with young people from the age of 12 years of age in both an educational and residential setting. I also have experience of supporting the delivery of the careers provisions in an educational setting. I’m currently studying for my L6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development. I love working with young people to support them in their next steps and to help them make the right decision for their futures. People would describe me as friendly, approachable, loyal and kind. When I'm not working, I love spending time my family, my pet dog Shuggs and friends. During the Summer season you will find me on a bowling green with my team mates playing Crown Green Bowls.
Seth Agyare
L7 Career Advisor
Hi I am Seth, I enjoy working with people and supporting others to get to their next stage and make good decisions about their future career path. I am here to learn and contribute my experience to the team to maintain the values and work towards achieving the overall aims(s) of Career Seekers Direct. I have been described as friendly, approachable, enthusiastic, and trustworthy. In my spare time, I spend lots of time with the family, watching or playing football with the young boy. I also enjoy going to new places with the family and meeting new people.
Carys Hughes
Employability Coach
Hi I'm Carys. I am a qualified coach and support our student and graduate clients with career coaching & career development skills training. Our clients would describe me as encouraging. insightful, uplifting, warm and open minded Outside of work, you will find me walking, exploring somewhere new, playing on the towpath with my son, sipping a coffee in a coffee shop, staring at squirrels and robins, or rearranging the furniture at home on the boat.
Kathryn Rawlins
L7 Careers Advisor
Hi I'm Kathryn. I'm a L7 Careers Adviser. My role is to ensure the quality standard of the careers services we deliver in educational settings. This includes delivering QA reviews and CPD sessions for the team. With over 15 years experience, I have delivered hundreds of career guidance and skills sessions.  Our clients would describe me as kind, interested, funny, loving & passionate to support. When I’m not thinking about Careers (which I do a lot) I like listening to all types of music especially Choral. I enjoy travelling and seeing my 2 wonderful children (28 and 22) Oh, and of course spending time with Hector the Pug!
Jo White
Employability Coach
Hi I'm Jo. I am a Mum to physically disabled twins who had EHCP's all through their school life. I have first hand experience of the what next question that both young people and their parents have when they reach 18. It can be a scary and unequal place to be. I know how difficult it is to see people in employment that these young people can relate to and the frustration of not being taken seriously when they have the skills, aptitude and desire to want to work but need some additional support or adjustments. I also know that it is possible to achieve that goal and I am excited to be able to help others in any way I can. I have a good knowledge of the various departments in Warwickshire County Council including Social Services, Statementing and Review Service, Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy, Travel Training and have knowledge of the benefits system in terms of PIP and Carers Allowance. I have had a career break for the last 9 years to raise my sons but prior to that I worked for Severn Trent Water for 5 years through their Graduate Recruitment Programme, Yellow Pages for 9 years as a Customer Service Manager running their call centre in Birmingham and I worked part time as the School Secretary and SEN Admin Assistant for 5 years at Ferncumbe Primary School at Hatton. In my spare time I play tennis, like walking and am an Aston Villa Season ticket holder with my family.
Commercial & Operations
Ian Simpson
Business Development Manager
Hi I'm Ian. I'm responsible for establishing relationships with organizations so that their people, students, customers and staff, can grow from the range of guidance, coaching, support and skills development we offer,   Our clients, would say that I am personable, trustworthy and commercially attentive. When I'm not helping grow Career Seekers' network and service delivery, I like music and playing guitar. Also, despite being a Tottenham supporter, I am quite a football fan as well. I achieved FA Level 1 qualification and coached my son's team back in the day which was enjoyable and stressful in equal measures! If you are interested in exploring how Careers Seekers Direct can support you please drop a note to supportingyou@careerseekersdirect.co.uk and we will be pleased to discuss your thoughts.
Glenn Robinson
Coach & Trainer
Hi I'm Glenn. I am a qualified teacher with many years experience and I now support the development and delivery of our employability and enterprise sessions which support our younger clients, particularly those who are identified as potential NEET.  Our clients would describe me as pragmatic, approachable, responsive, effective and articulate. I enjoy keeping fit, gardening, cooking and following sport.
Chris Cotton
Digital Marketing
Hi I'm Chris. I am a Illustrator/Graphic Designer by practice, since I was at school I've always enjoyed drawing and creating things, this lead me to the path of graphic design at college and university, and received my degree. I now use these well developed skills to produce the marketing materials for events and our social media pages. When I'm not at work, I enjoy PC gaming, collecting trading cards, long walks and bowling. and of course I still I enjoy the odd draw/sketch!
Delivery Associates
Amy White
Educational Develepment Advisor
Hi I’m Amy. I’m a qualified teacher who has worked in a variety of secondary schools, teaching young people ranging from eleven to eighteen years. I have enjoyed working in a number of roles including Teacher of English, Designated teacher for CLA and Acting Head Teacher. My role in the company involves developing and delivering high quality and engaging resources for secondary education, and providing educational support for school staff. Students would describe me as an enthusiastic educator who is dedicated to helping individuals achieve their potential. My colleagues would say I am personable, knowledgeable and compassionate. When I am not working, I love spending time with my two small children and visiting literature festivals across the country.
Alan Sheppard
Coach & Trainer
Hi I'm Alan. I am a qualified coach and work with our clients - all ages and at all stages, who need support with career coaching and employability skills. I also deliver our Business Enterprise sessions giving practical support and advice to our clients who may be looking to set up their own business. Our clients would describe me as loyal, creative, honest, enthusiastic & challenging (in a good way!!). When I am not working you will find me with horses, fly fishing, cooking, in the woods, & following Coventry City FC (born there) and Man United because I loved watching George Best when I was a boy!
Louis Bezanson
Trainer: Games Design
Hi I am Louis, I am one of the trainers delivering work related Game Design presentations and employability workshops using Minecraft to educate the next generation about game design and the Minecraft industry. Teaching valuable skills, knowledge and advice in a fun, visual and engaging way. I started my first company at 18 and have been a young entrepreneur ever since, working in the Gaming Industry and directing Aurrora for 6 years now. Outside of work I ride BMX semi professionally, enjoy creating digital art and travelling.
Natalie Hand
Trainer: Hair & Beauty
Hi I'm Natalie, I am a salon owner and a qualified hair stylist and beauty therapist. I have worked in the industry for over 15 years. My clients would describe me as trustworthy, approachable, positive and motivated. In any spare time that I have I enjoy spending time with my dog Fred and exploring new places and of course I enjoy a good bit of retail therapy.
Matt Holmes
Coach & Trainer
Hi, I'm Matt. I am one of the Work Related Learning tutors in Career Seekers Direct who delivers work courses in a number of media courses such as video game design, photography and digital skills. I also support student who are struggling with some subjects in school. My background is media based and I have strong discipline due to time spent in the military. When I’m not supporting people to have the skills to become more employable in their field, I spend my free time playing video games and watching superhero films.
Thomas Aryee
Coach & Trainee
Hi, my name is Tom. I am a trained teacher, a football coach, and a military veteran with a decade of admin experience. I believe everybody has the ability to reach their potential and I have joined the team to help our clients and service users do that. I like firing questions to generate debate and learning and also to unearth fresh ideas. When I'm not working, I am probably watching nature documentaries or old boxing videos.
Jennifer Whitehall
Coach & Trainer
Hi I'm Jennifer. I am a qualified coach and trainer and deliver our career and skills services to all the clients we work with. Our clients have described me as encouraging, intuitive, trustworthy, open and committed. Outside of work I can be found enjoying the fresh air – cycling or walking with my family, and working in my garden. Volunteering with a local charity supporting the wellbeing of young people also keeps me busy as does providing a taxi service to my teenage daughter, trying to keep fit in the gym and taking Pilates classes. Meeting up with friends when time permits for a coffee and chat is always a treat!
Matt Franks
Coach & Trainer
Hi I'm Matt. I've been involved with training and education for over 30 years and have overseen contracts on such programmes as New Deal, TFW and Apprenticeships. I also conduct health and safety checks on employers, as I’m IOSH & RoSPA qualified. I deliver our employability workshops in schools. As a former Bluecoat entertainer, my sessions are, according to students, fun, engaging and informative. At Christmas time (there’s no call for it in July) I’m a professional Santa, performing in hotels, pubs and clubs. Outside of work, I like the theatre, red wine, watching Aston Villa and national hunt racing.
Mike Thorne
Coach & Trainer
Hi, I'm Mike. I'm a qualified coach and I design and deliver skill development sessions for our business clients.  I also support delivery of our career programmes to schools. Clients would describe me as engaging, supportive, thought-provoking and insightful. When I’m not working, I recharge by walking with my dog in the countryside or laughing with good friends. I also spend a lot of time working on our 100-year-old house and getting creative in the garden. But I’m never far from a good cup of coffee!
Andi Dunn
Employability Coach
Hi, I’m Andi. After leaving school with little in the way of formal qualifications at the age of sixteen. I have, I would consider with some success, been employed in a small number of very diverse roles; from a soldier in the armed forces (including active service in Northern Ireland and the Gulf) to a Teaching Assistant (KS1 & 2). By way of a senior management role within Vodafone, self employed Personal Trainer and Pilates Coach and ‘Stay at Home Father’. Currently studying a Psychology Degree with the Open University and for qualification as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant. I am incredibly motivated to work in the fields of education and vocational training. Particularly with those children and young adults who find themselves, for any number of reasons, not able to engage with the mainstream. Outside of work and study, I like to spend my time with my children and friends – as much as possible in ‘The Great Outdoors’. I love running and having completed nearly 100 marathons. Now find myself embracing the world of ‘Trail and Ultra’, and training for my first 200 mile event in December of 2024.