Meet the Team

Neil Calvert

CEO and Principal

Neil joined the College in July 2021 and has brought with him a wealth of experience gained in roles from across the education and charitable sectors.

He's been the Vice Chair of Governing Council and Chair of the Remuneration Committee at the University of Derby since 2015, and a governor since 2010. He was the inaugural Chair of the Student Affairs Committee and has led the board's work to develop student voice and representation. During his tenure the University has broken into the top 30 in national league tables and gained the Gold award in the first Teaching Excellence Framework.

Outside of work, Neil is a keen traveller, with a particular love of the Nordic countries, and also enjoys hill walking in the Peak District and elsewhere in his home county of Derbyshire. He is an enthusiastic amateur cook, indie music fan, father, dog owner and cricket and football supporter.

Alison Longden

Head of Learning

Alison joined the College having spent over seven years at Northern College where she led the Higher Education and Teacher Education programme. Passionate about education for social justice and digital inclusion, she successfully developed and grew the curriculum offer.

This included the development of innovative blended learning across a range of levels from unaccredited to Higher Education, receiving a number of commendations from validating and quality assurance organisations. 

Outside work, Ali has a lively cocker spaniel who loves to be taken for walks where he can bounce through long grass and paddle in streams. She also enjoys doing pilates and pottering in the garden, albeit with a trial and error approach!  

Ed Bremner  

Learning Technologist

Ed is our Learning Technologist, providing support and guidance in all things online and digital within our teaching. Known as a bit of a 'jack-of-all-trades' Ed has worked in a range of different role including training, research, marketing, and project management, all mainly within the museum/charity sector before settling to support Technology Enhanced Learning in Higher Education. His biggest buzz is developing online communities to support co-operative and collaborative projects. In the rare hours that he is offline, he retires to his man-cave to fix old things, make new things and is never happier than when learning a new skill.

Dr Amanda Benson

Curriculum Development Manager

As our Curriculum Development Manager, Amanda is able to unite her love of community development, curriculum design and research projects in one post! She helps to promote sustainable and inclusive development both in the UK and worldwide. Outside of work, Amanda enjoys the theatre, live music, long walks and being outdoors..

Jenny Laycock

Learning Officer

Jenny joined in June 2021 and has been helping refresh some of our processes to make learning with us even better. She has a background in education, publishing and project management and recognises the power of education in empowering people to make change. Outside of work, Jenny regularly practices yoga and swims weekly, albeit slowly. She also enjoys cycling, walking and eating out and has come to love gardening over recent years (although she is still learning and hasn’t quite mastered growing vegetables in stages; Jenny is annually over-burdened with courgettes).

Cat Darby

Learning Administrator

Cat is passionate about the world of Learning & Development having worked in a number of different L&D roles from administration, digital design and project management.   Having previously worked in other sectors, she's really keen to embrace the co-operative values and make a genuine difference by supporting the College with the coordination of its learning provision. Outside of work you will find Cat teaching group fitness classes, enjoying the outdoors with her dog, attending gigs or binge-watching Netflix! .

Gemma Obeng

Head of Projects

Gemma heads up our projects team and joined us in November 2018. She has huge experience of managing projects for young people and communities and is passionate about supporting positive change. Gemma loves to travel and enjoys music, cooking and art, as well as spending time with her family and friends.

Dr Sarah Alldred

Head of International Partnerships

Sarah joined the Co-operative College in 2012 as their International Programmes Manager, after four years working at Co-operatives UK, and over 10 years working in the peace movement, doing her PhD research on post conflict reconstruction. Sarah is now the Head of International Partnerships at the College, and in collaboration with Co-operatives UK, oversees the rich international relationships we have built over the years, alongside expanding this out into new areas. Out of work Sarah loves engaging in the arts and plays the Ukulele (badly).

Daniel Cox

UK Projects Manager

As our Projects Manager Daniel joined us to deliver and develop existing projects and establish new initiatives. He comes from a background in mainstream education, alternative provisions and residential care and is passionate about helping to inspire, empower and uplift people in the community. Outside of work Daniel can be found in cinemas, restaurants, bookshops and, occasionally, in the gym.

Nina Valvi

Head of Business Development

Nina recently joined us as our Head of Business Development. She's been working within the Charity sector for the past eight years and is passionate about education, equal opportunities and social justice. In a previous life, Nina was an Olympic synchronized swimmer and professional classical musician. She's always been a foodie, coffee enthusiast and adventure seeker (running, hiking, travelling etc.)

Andrew Mallinson

Marketing and Communications Manager

Andrew joined us right at the start of 2017 and is responsible for a whole range of tasks from press releases through to social media and everything in between. With a background in marketing and communications plus a passion for education, the role has been a great fit. Outside of work he enjoys lots of different sports and the gym, all of which handily negates his love of eating out.

Jessica Rule

Business Development Officer

Jess joined the team in September 2021 as our Business Development Officer. She has extensive experience in the education sector, having held previous roles working with 13-19 year olds to inspire and inform them about their options for higher education. She has also worked for other charities and has significant experience in events and communication.

Outside of work, Jess is a keen sea swimmer and an active member of the Surf Life Saving Society. She also enjoys spending time with her family and loves nothing more than a cup of tea and a slice of cake!

Sheree Sandbach

Finance Officer

Sheree joined the Co-operative College in 2012. During her time at the College, Sheree has studied for her accountancy qualifications with the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) - qualifying in 2016, and now has full member accreditation. Sheree is responsible for the day to day running of the College's finance function as well as providing support for back office operations. She enjoys travelling and is a keen Manchester United supporter.

Chloe Hardman

Digital and Creative Officer

Chloe joined us in May 2019 and handles our design works and the more 'techy' side of marketing. After graduating in Media and Communications from Swansea University, Chloe returned to her routes in Manchester to continue a career in marketing. Bucking the trend, Chloe is an avid supporter of Manchester City women's and men's teams (and supported them before they were good!).