EBC Contacts, Links and Key Partners

Barbara McClennan

Chief Executive

Qualifications and Experience

A qualified teacher and journalist, Barbara is a multi-award winner for both journalism and demonstrating her entrepreneurial flair.

She joined EBC in 2002 and since then has set it up as a charity and developed it from a small local project to a regional deliverer of enterprise education, expanding its original six projects to the 40 plus programmes which currently make up EBC's portfolio of activities.

She has also expanded the range of products and services to include young people with disabilities and adults from all backgrounds and has increased the amount of bespoke accredited learning products on offer. 

Her single aim is to make sure that EBC can support the individual to realise their full potential - regardless of ability and barriers they may face in their lives.

To find out more visit our special page on Barbara McClennan

Barbara is responsible for all aspects of the strategic management of the organisation including contract compliance, policy development, implementation and review.  She also takes the lead role in fundraising, research and new programme and resource development and is the link officer with the Board of Trustees.

To find out more visit our special page on Barbara McClennan

Christine Vickers

Assistant Chief Executive

Senior Programme Manager

Qualifications and Experience

Chris has the strategic role of coordinating our response to both school and business needs and has an overall supervisory role for administration support staff as well as providing line management support to the bulk of EBC’s staff.

To find out more visit our special page on Christine Vickers

She is responsible for implementing and reviewing systems and procedures in line with the organisations quality procedures documentation and the requirements of external accrediting bodies. She also leads on internal verification and standardisation meetings as part of EBC's requirements as an accredited centre for City and Guilds, NCFE and the National Open College Network.

To find out more visit our special page on  Christine Vickers

Sarah Butler

Business Development Manager

Qualifications and Experience

Sarah joined EBC in 2004 from the Washington Business Forum where she worked as co-ordinator.  An ex- St Joseph's School (Hebburn) pupil, Sarah's qualifications include the GNVQ Level 3 in Leisure and Tourism.  Since joining EBC she has completed a Level 4 in Management through Project North East. Sarah also holds an NVQ Assessor Award. She was promoted to Business Development Manager in 2010.

To find out more visit our special page on Sarah Butler

Sarah is EBC's lead officer in relation to links with both the construction sector and the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector.  She was a key member of the EBC team which was commended in the Best innovation category of 2005's North East Tourism Awards for the design and delivery of a range of tourism-related programmes.  The following year she played a key part in helping EBC to secure the North East Tourism Ambassador of the Year award.

Sarah is one of EBC's key deliverers of our Essential Steps to Employability programme.

To find out more visit our special page on Sarah Butler

Michael Hambleton

Assistant Programme

Officer and Trainee Assessor (WNF)

Qualifications and Experience

Michael joined EBC as he prepared to enter his third year of study with Sunderland University.  He has now completed his studies for a BSc in Web and Multimedia Computing.

He joined EBC to support the delivery of its Essential Steps to Employability programme - funded by Sunderland City Council through the Working Neighbourhoods Fund. 

To find out more visit our special page on Michael Hambleton.

As a mature student at Sunderland University who successfully re-entered the world of education Michael brings a wealth of life experience which will help him to understand the barriers facing clients being targeted through our Essential Steps to Employability programme.  Among the clients are some of society's most vulnerable people and Michael is supporting them to develop new skills whilst building their confidence and self belief. 

To find out more visit our special page on Michael Hambleton.

Rose Cummings

Part time Administrator

Qualifications and Experience

Rose joined EBC in April 2009 after two years as a full time company secretary in her family's business. 

Previously she had been a Business Relations Manager with Young Enterprise North East and spent almost ten years working for the Sunderland Echo in various advertising, sales and promotion posts.

To find out more about visit our special page on Rose Cummings

Rose is responsible for all aspects of adminstration including both event preparation and planning and key 'backroom' support.

To find out more visit our special page on Rose Cummings

Toni Jackson

Part time Administrator (WNF)

Qualifications and Experience

Toni joined EBC in 2009 after a spell with Victim Support as a part time care officer. 

Previously she had work for a number of organisations in sales, customer service and administration whilst she pursued her part time studies.

To find out more about visit our special page on Toni Jackson.

Toni is responsible for all aspects of adminstration including event preparation and key 'backroom' support for EBC's delivery of its latest programme - Essential Steps to Employability - funded by Sunderland City Council through the Working Neighbourhoods Fund. 

To find out more visit our special page on Toni Jackson.

Iain Kay

Specialist Service Provider

Qualifications and Experience

Iain, a city-based social entrepreneur, has been involved with EBC since 1998 when - under the auspices of his own consultancy company - he put together a 'funding rescue package' for its forerunner.   Over a number of years he built up the EBC brand and its staffing numbers and has been instrumental in raising hundreds of thousands of pounds to support EBC's work with young people and adults.   

To find out more visit our special page on Iain Kay

Iain is EBC's main consultant for a number of special work projects including fundraising, monitoring and contract compliance.

To find out more visit our special page on Iain Kay