Assessor team
Applications will be reviewed by a team of independent assessors.The assessors have been selected for their experience in training and skills development across a wide range of organisations and sectors.
The team of expert assessors assess each written application independently. If organisations are deemed to have met the Award Hallmarks in their written application, assessors will undertake a virtual visit with applicants as the second stage of the process. The assessors produce detailed assessment reports with their recommendation of organisations which have met the Award standard and these are ratified by the Foundation Committee.

Fenella Tallon
Chief Assessor
Fenella has run an education and learning management consultancy since April 2004. She currently works on establishing training and development needs across 12 schools and 4 colleges for East Sussex post-16 Education Improvement Partnership.
Read more
In the past Fenella has contributed to the ‘Skills for Work’ study, a £9M project jointly funded by the European Social Fund and the Learning & Skills Council. She has also worked at the Learning and Skills Improvement Service on the evaluation of national safeguarding and safer recruitment training materials. Fenella has also developed an assessment guide for universities and colleges across Sussex for the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
In addition to her experience of assessment, Fenella held Assessor roles both for the National Training Awards from 2004-2012 and the National Apprenticeship Awards from 2006-2010.
Fenella says: ‘I am delighted to take on the role of assessor for the Princess Royal Training Awards. It is a pleasure and privilege to learn first-hand how training has helped change the way organisations work for the better.’

Paul Robertson
Quality Assurance Manager
Paul established Management Learning Resources (MLR) in 1986 when he returned to the UK after working in senior HR positions in US technology and computer companies. To date MLR has helped thousands of HR professionals develop over ½ million people.
Read more
Paul was one of the original team working on the National Training Awards and progressed from Assessor to Quality Assurance Manager. He is currently the Quality Assurance Manager for the National Apprenticeship Awards, a role he has held for a number of years, and provides assessment and judging support at Regional and National Level.
Paul says: ‘Becoming Chief Assessor for the Princess Royal Training Awards is an opportunity to be part of a truly national awards process that seeks to identify, celebrate and share excellence in training/learning and development across all organisational sectors in the United Kingdom.’

Heather Moore
Deputy Chief Assessor
Heather is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and has over 20 years’ experience in Human Resources, working with organisations in the public, charity and private sectors.
Read more
She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development and has a Post Graduate Certificate in Education Management. She was a Trustee of Autism Sussex for 6 years. She is an Assessor for the National Apprenticeship Awards and was an Assessor for the National Training Awards for 9 years.
Heather says: ‘I feel privileged and lucky to be part of these new awards, and to hear about how innovative and excellent training has made a difference to organisations, both big and small.’

Jill Davies
Assessor
Following a successful career at Marks and Spencer plc in commercial management, Jill set up her own business offering consultancy and training services with a wide-ranging client base including a number of blue chip companies and over 100 SMEs based in South Wales.
Read more
Jill is also currently working with Swansea University on a Leadership programme for Managers and Directors of companies across Wales. She is involved in design, delivery and is providing coaching and mentoring to participants helping support their business growth.
Jill is a Member of the CIPD, Institute Consulting and a qualified SFEDI Business Adviser.

Nicola Laverton
Assessor
Nicola’s HR career spans 20 years in senior management and consultancy, with a successful track record in the blue chip, service, financial and public sectors.
Read more
She has implemented a range of HR strategies at the organisational level to enable business and performance improvement. Her strength in designing and implementing Talent management strategies has resulted in step-change improvements in leadership development, change management and organisational development. In addition, she has extensive experience in senior coaching and team development to achieve insight, growth and change.
Nicola has strong assessment experience both in the corporate and education sectors including the assessment of programmes delivered by Oxford Brookes University to commercial clients. She has worked on the CDR International 360 degree feedback and is qualified to use a range of psychometric tools recognised by the British Psychological Society. She is an Assessor for the National Apprenticeship Awards and was involved with the National Training Awards as a Judge, Assessor, mentor and workshop facilitator.
Nicola says: ‘This prestigious award will showcase and recognise at a national level learning and development programmes that have truly benefitted the business.’

Richard Perry
Assessor
Richard has extensive experience as a consultant, trainer and facilitator specialising in leadership, business process management and the implementation of change.
Read more
Today, Richard holds the role of Leadership Development Officer at Swansea University, working on designing and delivering the ION leadership programmes for all sizes of business. He is also an ILM qualifications Assessor.
Richard is the author of respected business and leadership publications and has lectured to MBA and Entrepreneurship students at Swansea University and at University of Wales Trinity St David. He continues to develop learning and self-assessment tools to promote skills development across the public and private sectors. He has been an Assessor for the National Apprenticeship Awards for the last 4 years.
He says: ‘I am looking forward to the validation visits and seeing how training ambitions have translated into tangible results for both the organisation and the individuals involved. Seeing the words on the application come to life is an exciting prospect.’

Paul Middleton
Assessor
Paul is a highly skilled Learning & Development Professional with over 20 years’ experience working in Management, Education, Training across the Health & Social Care and Hospitality industries.
Read more
Paul has led successful Apprenticeship Programmes with involvement in Apprentice Advisory Boards and Trailblazer Groups as well as implementing Apprenticeship roles into an organisation.
As well as being qualified in assessment and quality assurance Paul holds a Certificate in Education and Masters in Management.
Paul says: ‘It is a great honour to work with so many organisations nationally who value Learning & Development and are committed to developing people. These awards are a fantastic opportunity to showcase good practice and innovative ideas to benefit any type of business.’

Peter Coats
Assessor
Peter has over 25 years’ experience in Learning & Development across both public and private sectors. During his service as a Police Officer he led the design and quality assurance function and also acted as an assessor and verifier on development programmes.
Read more
Peter says: ‘I am delighted to be an assessor for the Princess Royal Training Awards and having been successfully through the process as an applicant I recognise the impact that it can have on reminding people of the tangible benefits that excellent training provides.’

Karen Hodgson
Assessor
Karen has over 30 years in training and development working in FE Colleges, commercial businesses and private training providers at a senior level. Karen started her training career with British Midland Airways before working in an FE College as a tutor then moving on to manage a department at the college including 2 commercial outlets.
Read more
Other roles have included working in a specialist college for adults with disabilities, working as CEO for a training provider network. Karen moved to Canal Engineering in 2016 to develop and expand the training offer. Karen has acted as an Ofsted Nominee at 3 recent inspections and assessed applications for the National Apprenticeship Service Awards for several years.
When not working Karen is a dedicated Formula One fan, boating enthusiast and holds a Private Pilot’s Licence. Karen says ‘I am very proud to join the team at Princess Royal Training Awards and work with businesses to recognise their amazing achievements through training and development.’
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Commendation
We offer an additional commendation for employers who receive an Award and have demonstrated a significant commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. This commendation is assessed through the submitted application and supporting evidence.