Our people

Karen is responsible for operations across the whole charity, across all locations. She is on the Management Information Team and is a representative on the Career Connect Performance and Operations, Safeguarding, Health and Safety and Workforce and Quality Development Committees. Since joining the organisation as a clerical apprentice in 1989, Karen has enjoyed several operational delivery and management roles, including an eighteen-month secondment opportunity with Raleigh International.

Karen is a qualified careers adviser and has associate qualifications in youth and community work and basic counselling. In 2017 Karen achieved a CMI level 7 Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management.

First job: Retail assistant

Leading Business Development across the charity, Simon has worked in regeneration for the past 25 years on both capital and revenue projects. He is passionate about creating opportunities for everyone to fulfil their potential, particularly those who face the greatest obstacles.

Simon is experienced in developing partnerships, leading bid teams and securing new funding streams for the charity. He was instrumental in securing two of the largest social impact bonds yet commissioned. Simon was a non-executive director of Achieve North West Connect (then Achieve) and has held non-executive positions across a range of charities and in social housing.

First job: Farm worker

Our Director of IT & Digital, Dan Birtles joined us from Co-operatives UK and has vast experience in Digital & IT transformation, strategic planning and delivery of technology solutions. He is passionate about UX that helps remove barriers for participants and customers.

Dan has worked in the management and operations of Digital and IT across a range of sectors, with key roles at Liverpool Hope University, RNID, BT, ACC Liverpool and Health Shield.

First job: IT Technician

Gill has over 30 years finance experience mainly in the third sector. She joined Career Connect in 2002 and is responsible for Finance, Compliance, Premises, Facilities and ICT as well as being our Company Secretary.

In addition to managing Career Connect finances, Gill also leads on Environmental Sustainability for the Charity. She Chairs our Green Team Committee, ensuring delivery of the annual Carbon Reduction Plan which keeps Career Connect on track to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2040. In providing Financial Services, Gill and her team were the proud winners of both a Charity Times Award and also a Third Sector Award for Financial Management and Leadership.

First job: The post room at Vernons Pools

Leading Human Resources, Professional Training Services and Quality Management, Danielle has a background in working with young people, before joining Career Connect in 2002. CIPD qualified to lead the HR team, Danielle also champions many of the charity’s digital developments to improve working practices for people, as well as enhancing quality of services to clients. Danielle combines her knowledge and understanding of operational delivery, with strategic HR expertise to ensure the charity employs and retains the best people, to achieve the best possible outcomes for clients.

First job: Temping in the local Job Centre

Diane Sproson leads the commissioned services for young people in Salford and Manchester and the charity’s Education and Business services across the north west, providing a range of services to over 120 schools. Diane has worked in the information, advice and guidance field for over 35 years and for Career Connect since 2001. Diane has a Diploma in Careers Guidance and started her career in Salford as a Careers Adviser, she has also worked in Tameside, Cheshire and Merseyside.

First job: Retail assistant

Having been with the organisation since 2002, Sarah has a wealth of experience working with young people including vulnerable young people and their families. After working in Knowsley for 17 years she was appointed Service Manager, leading and remodelling Sefton’s NEET Reduction and Early Intervention Service in 2019 and was named Manager of the Year in the CDI’s UK Career Development Awards 2021.

As Senior Operation Performance Manager for Youth Contracts, covering Liverpool City Region, Salford and Manchester, Sarah has experience with performance management, safeguarding, trauma- informed practice and is a member of our Quality & Workforce, Performance and Health & Safety Committees.

First Job: Icing easter eggs at Thorntons

Tracey brings more than 25 years’ experience across custody, through-the-gate and probation services.

Tracey started her career as a Probation Officer in 2001. She became a Senior Probation Officer in 2010, working for justice services provider Achieve to deliver the HMPPS CFO (Co-Financing Organisation) ESF contract across the Northwest. Tracey has led on implementation and rollout of multiple commissioning cycles including HMPPS Creating Future Opportunities Evolution (CFO Evolution). Tracey progressed to Senior Manager for Achieve (which became part of Career Connect) in 2022 and was appointed Career Connect’s Director of Justice Services in 2026.

Tracey has vast experience in contract and performance management and developing long-term relationships with stakeholders including commissioners, partners and subcontractors. She is passionate about operational design that make services more accessible for participants.

First job: After school job in a chemist

Stuart has been providing leading research to inform policy and practice in the charity sector for over a decade. Prior to joining Career Connect in 2025, he was Head of Research at Directory of Social Change (DSC) where he won the 2021 FiMT Research Award for his work on Armed Forces charities.

Stuart has previously worked in public health research at Liverpool John Moores University, and he is also a qualified teacher and taught for five years before moving into applied research. Stuart holds a BA (Hons) in Psychology and Sociology, an MSc in Applied Psychology and a PGCE in Psychology.

First job: Checkouts at Sainsbury’s