Chris Baillie
Director
Welcome to Swarthmore! I have been the Director since November 2019. My background was originally in mental health, but I have worked in education for many years, firstly as an assessor, a manager of apprenticeships, a teacher, college manager, and now director. My passion is making education accessible for all and seeing the difference it can make. We have done, and continue to do, amazing things at Swarthmore, thanks to the commitment and passion of all our staff, trustees, volunteers, supporters and students. I hope you enjoy your time at the centre.
Malgorzata Ciesluk
Education Manager
Joan MacLeod
Phil Johnson
Finance and Services Manager
Julie Badon
Chair of Trustees
I have been the Chair of the Trustee Board at Swarthmore since April 2018. During my working career across the NHS and Department of Health I both led and contributed to a wide range of policies including:
I currently sit on several governing bodies including Bramley Baths, Leeds Older People's Forum and the age friendly steering group. I am an active member of the Leeds Inner Wheel involved in fundraising and support for a range of charities.
Ian Greenwood
Trustee
My working life has been varied. For many years I worked in the food industry in Quality Control and, as a trained chemist, a chemical analyst and also, trade union industrial relations negotiator. I spent the last two decades as an academic at Leeds University Business School. I retired three years ago but retain an honorary academic post. Throughout my working life I have had involvement in charitable, voluntary and union organisations. These are sectors of activity that are central to my being that Swarthmore reflects the best of. The ethos and work of Swarthmore, its outstanding staff and students, are absolutely central to the social, cultural and economic fabric of Leeds. This is something I am passionate about ensuring continues in perpetuity.
Nigel Zaman
I’ve worked in the Department of Health and Social Care and collaborated closely with the NHS for over thirty years, developing and implementing new policy to help people live longer, healthier lives, and supporting organisations to realise their full potential. Over recent years I’ve worked closely with leaders across government to address significant financial challenges, supporting the development of business strategies and helping to develop high performing organisations that are underpinned by a culture which puts people first and encourages new ideas and innovation.
Last year I helped to shape the new Business Strategy for Swarthmore which focuses on the investment in staff by retaining our great people and bringing in new talent to deliver more classes and bolster the important support which Swarthmore provides to the people of Leeds. This is enabling Swarthmore to grow stronger and become the organisation that everyone wants it to be. As our Business Strategy starts to take effect, we will turn our attention to the investment Swarthmore requires for its building and IT infrastructure - making it a better place to work and learn.
Liz Watkins
I retired in 2017 after nearly 40 years working for the NHS in arrange of roles. I have been a partner in General Practice in Armley, a senior medical manager at West Yorkshire Health Authority and completed my medical career with 20 years as a Consultant Anaesthetist specialising in intensive care and major complex anaesthesia at St James’ University Hospital, with honorary Senior Lecturer status at the University of Leeds. I have experienced alternative healthcare systems, having worked in New Zealand and studied acupuncture in China.
The key skills I developed during my career include governance, management with team working and communication, combined with an enthusiasm for education and mentoring. At all stages of my career I have been actively involved in medical student development and education, with an additional role as an examiner for summative medical school exams. My management role was focused on quality improvement in General Practice and involved the organisation of, and teaching at, education events for GPs and their staff.
Complex decision making based on an ability to understand the root cause of a situation are personal strengths I reinforced during my clinical career. Team working was integral throughout, I listen to and value the opinions of others while having the confidence to develop and state my own views. I have experience of working in a wide range of settings including community, hospital and university and am comfortable adapting to new roles and responsibilities. I believe all these personal attributes usefully support the activities and future development of Swarthmore.
Eileen Exeter
Eileen has been coming to classes at Swarthmore for nearly 11 years, after retiring she realised how important it was to continue learning in order to keep body and mind active. Swarthmore is a safe, warm environment where she has met like-minded people from all parts of the community, and a place where tutors inspire as well as sharing their wisdom and expertise.
Sue Taylor
A Leeds resident, currently Head of Funding and Business Support at UK Skills Academy, a training provider delivering training for apprenticeships, AEB, ESF and Skills for Growth contracts. I have worked in the Post 16 FE sector and commercial training arena for over 20 years in roles ranging from training delivery, assessment, operations and strategic management, I have a proven ability to operate at the strategic and operational level. I am an excellent communicator at all levels who builds effective internal and external relationships; and a self-motivated, creative and analytical professional with meticulous attention to detail. I believe my skills, knowledge and experience support Swarthmore in moving forward and continuing to play a key part of the adult education system across our city.
Cllr Eleanor Thomson
Carol Holmes
Senior Centre Administrator
Flo Hoy
Business Development & Marketing Lead
Gavin Thorpe
Finance and IT Lead
Marcus Webster
IT Support
Simon Shaw
Senior Caretaker
Ed Chapman
MIS Administrator
Sue & Wisdom
Student Support Team
James Gasston
Centre and Events Support Administrator
Eliza Ekstein-Frankl
Quality Improvement Lead
Harry Turnbull
Curriculum Lead
Martin Corey
Pastoral Lead
Emily Palacios
Administrator
Marcia Brown
Tutor
Tim Boardman
Job Coach for SEND Students
Leonora Rustamova
Helen Thompson
Matthew Roche
James Armstrong
Ailsa Mulligan
Andrew Cavadino
Hannah Ford
Natalie Smith
Evie Deacon
Laura Dunnill
Teaching Assistant
Dawn Van Gelderen
Shirley Morula
Philip Rushworth
Hussain Khan
Hannah Davies
Charlie Pritchatt
Assistant Job Coach
Clare Harford
Beata Bober-Baginska
Erin Heaton
Leah Darknell
Eloise Batten
Charlotte Whitmore
Alison Monroe
Joanne Whitaker
Imogen Adie
Carrieanne Vivianette
Susie Willcox
Tutor & Arts Technician
Amy Smith
Janine Toole
Nicola Eyre
Clair Thompson
Hannah Sibai
Kelly Pfeister
Cecilia Souza
Learning Support Assistant
Samia Boutraa
Kwan In Lee (Ada)
Rhiannon Kenny-McGrath
Fatemeh Noori
Leaning Support Assistant