Our people

Karen is responsible for operations across the whole charity including all geographic locations in which we operate. 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.

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.

First job: Farm worker

Career advice: Look beyond job titles and think about what really motivates you e.g. financial reward, helping others, being creative, problem solving etc – as a job that meets these needs is likely to be much more satisfying. Once you have that job, the old adage ‘the more you put in, the more you get back’ is probably true both in terms of the role itself, the wider workplace and the social aspects of work.

Chris Bennett is Director of Justice Services, focusing on offender employment, training and education services. Prior to this Chris had a career in the Probation Service, working as a Probation Officer and Senior Probation Officer. Chris is committed to offender rehabilitation.

Our Director of I.T. & Digital, Dan Birtles joined us from Co-operatives UK and has vast experience in Digital & IT transformation, strategic planning and delivery of technology solutions.

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

Career advice: Approach every opportunity with a can‑do mindset and the courage to step into the unfamiliar. Your career will be shaped not just by what you already know, but by the things you are willing to try, learn, and grow into. Stay curious, say yes to new challenges, and trust that each experience, no matter how big or small. This will help you discover your strengths and open doors you may not have expected.

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.

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.

First job: Temping in the local Job Centre

Career advice: Don’t worry. It’s only the Train Drivers and the Doctors who know from a young age exactly what they want to do. For many of us, it’s those chance encounters with someone who creates an opportunity or opens a door for us. Walk through that door… you never know where it will lead.

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.

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

First Job: Icing easter eggs at Thorntons

Career advice: Focus on developing your transferable and employability skills and experience. Every role builds something. And it’s just as important to learn what you don’t enjoy doing as it is to discover what you do — that clarity helps shape your direction.

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.

First job: Checkouts at Sainsbury’s

Career advice: There is no one ‘career path’. Your career journey will take you along many different paths, so don’t be put-off by dead-ends… find another path and keep moving toward where you want to be.