Our Team

Ian Simms – Director

Ian has over 15 years’ experience in the Education Sector and is passionate about helping people to develop and reach their full potential by providing routes into  employment and learning.  SW Training was established in 2006 and Ian’s role as director has allowed him to focus on the Business Development side of the company for both SportWise and SkillWise.  Ian is an advocate of the Apprenticeship scheme having completed a football apprenticeship when leaving school whilst he pursued his career in football.  Ian is a keen golfer and a huge football fan supporting Aston Villa and enjoys taking his young boy to football training at the weekend.

Lee Croucher – Director

Lee has over 25 years’ experience in the Education and Training, Sport and Business sectors where he has held a range of senior management posts successfully leading on both operational and strategic development and growth.  Lee set up his own company ‘Your Future Solutions’ in 2009 where he specializes in delivering Leadership and Management Master classes and courses.  He also mentors and coaches individuals and businesses to develop and grow in order to fulfill their maximum potential. Lee joined SkillWise in 2016 as a Director and is responsible for Quality and Compliance across the business. Lee loves playing sport especially golf, cycling and football and is a QPR fan.

Dale Wood – Head of Quality and Operations

Dale is a qualified teacher and has spent 20 years working in education. During this time Dale has spent 3 years as a teacher, 9 years as Head of Department, 2 years as Director of Faculty, 1 year Local Education Authority advisor and 5 years as Further Education senior leadership.  Dale is passionate about education and providing life long learning through high quality teaching and learning to all.  Dale believes that high quality teaching and learning leads to high outcomes for all engaged. .Outside of work Dale is a grass roots football coach for his sons youth team and spends most weekends in his woodland area that he is converting into his own personal campsite. 

Mark Bagnall – Tutor and Assessor

Mark has been in Health and Fitness for the past 20 years, and in Training and Education since 2008.  After gaining a degree in sport Science & Health Science, he lived in Australia for a year to be at the birth of his daughter, before returning home and gaining his Personal Training diploma.  Having worked hiself up to management at a prestigious health club chain, he switched to Training and Education to support those who wanted a career in fitness, to help them in helping others make healthier lifestyle choices. Away from work, Mark enjoys football, cycling and running. Hs future spare time goals are to get back on the water and surf and water-ski.

Jill Dent – Recruitment Manager

Jill has over 10 years of experience in Sales, Events and PR which has enabled her to live abroad in New York and worldwide.  Jill joined the team in 2016 and is responsible for recruiting all learners and apprentices across all our programmes placing them into businesses.  Jill is passionate about helping people and will go the extra mile to help find the right role for our learners.  A keen netball player, she competes in the Birmingham, Dudley and Walsall leagues and enjoys spending time with her family, in particular her young boy.

Lucy Croucher – Admin Manager

With over 10 years of Event Management and Sponsorship experience, Lucy worked as the Swimming Manager at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and delivered a variety of European and World Championships Sporting events.  Lucy joined the company in 2016 and supports the team with various administrative duties across the business.  A keen tennis player representing Leicestershire and competing in national tournaments, Lucy also loves taking on new sporting challenges and spending time with her two young boys.  Her claim to fame is appearing on the TV show “The Weakest Link.”