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WHO WE ARE
The aims are to enrich the curriculum, actively engage employers in the development of their future workforce and equip young people with a better understanding of personal skills and their future choices. Employer feedback states that there is limited time and resources to meet the demands of every institution. EBP Kent provides unified, streamlined employer engagement that benefits all institutions collectively rather than expecting employers to manage multiple, disconnected requests. For young people EBP Kent is committed to the concept of employment being the first social service.
OUR BOARD
Our board provides critical guidance on direction, sustainability and fundraising avenues. We are lucky to be supported by a group with a wealth of experience in the business and education sectors
Chairman of Board
Chairman of Trustees
Laurence Backler
Andrew Watson
Company Secretary
Trustee
John Wingfield
Andrew Olsson
Will Stumpf
Board Member
Director
Trustee
Board Member
Meet the Team
INCREDIBLE PEOPLE
DECEMBER 2025 - G4S
G4S have been remarkable supporters of our charity's work for the last 4 years. Coordination with the company was brilliantly established by relationship manager, Debbie, who introduced our charity to so many of the wonderful employees who make up the company. In particular, Gordon and Samantha, who have been at the forefront of so much of the incredible young person support that G4S have delivered for Kent schools.
In total it is estimated that they have engaged with over 10,000 Kent young people, across Key Stages 3,4 and 5. What they are so consistently superb at is not only the information and guidance they impart, but the enthusiasm with which they deliver everything. They have supported young people in mainstream education, SEND and PRU at various points via wide range of delivery methods: Exhibition Fairs, sector workshops, one-to-one interviews, sector talks and group work.
They have inspired and given hope to some of the most disadvantaged young people. Perhaps most importantly, they have notably increased the self-esteem of students, increasing aspirations and doing it all whilst having fun with a wonderful sense of humour. We are proud to work with G4S and thank them for their support over the years
INCREDIBLE PEOPLE
JANUARY 2026 - MERCY SHIPS
Gehad from Mercy Ships has been an incredible attendee at EBP Kent's large-scale fairs and employability days. Remarkably, Gehad has been attending EBP Kent events for over 15 years, showcasing the inspiring and vital work that Mercy Ships provide overseas. Students from Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 have been able to learn so much from Gehad and consider the incredible humanitarian efforts of this global charity.
Gehad is often one of the first people on the list to be invited to attend events taking place across the county. Always bright, positive and willing to engage, Gehad provides a unique subject matter to the events that is both thought-provoking and motivating, not just on the work Mercy Ships does, but for the charitable and healthcare sectors as a whole.
Over 30,000 young people have attended the events that Gehad has supported over the years, from a range of backgrounds, attending mainstream and SEND schools. It has been a pleasure to work with Gehad and we have been proud to showcase Mercy Ships at so many of our fairs and employability days.
INCREDIBLE PEOPLE
FEBRUARY 2026 - KCC HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORT
Joe Ratcliffe from KCC - Highways and Transport has incredibly, supported the events put on by EBP Kent for nearly 16 years. Joe has coordinated the attendance of enthusiastic teams, keen to impart their experience within the industry for the benefit of many, many Kent students.
Joe has been kind enough to attend numerous Exhibition Fairs, but has also taken part in Employability Days, mock interviews and was one of the first sector challenge providers for Make it Work, an alternative work experience programme. Most of the events are targeted towards aspirations and how the curriculum can apply to specific sectors. Joe is fantastic at creating this link and has been brilliant for young people who know what subjects they like, but not necessarily the career it might lead to. Geography students in particular, have benefited from the time Joe has given up on so many occasions.
Over the duration of Joe's participation in EBP Kent's events, it is estimated that there has been the attendance of nearly 40,000 Kent young people (and that might be underestimating it!).
Joe has been an unbelievable supporter to the charity and an inspiration for Kent's students. All of this done, whilst juggling the pressures and responsibilities of his day job. For the charity, it has been a pleasure to work with Joe and his team, and we hope to be able to continue this partnership for many more years to come.
INCREDIBLE PEOPLE
MARCH 2026 - AMEY
Melanie Rogers from Amey has been a supporter of Kent schools and EBP Kent for nearly 12 years. In her previous role with Vattenfall and now as Social Value Manager for Amey, Mel has been remarkable in the sheer amount of interactions she has had with Kent students, the vast number of delivery types she has been involved in (large scale fairs, Employability Days, Interviewing, sector based workshops, employability workshops (CV Writing, Interview Techniques) and transferable skills talks) and how she never lets her infectious energy and enthusiasm wane no matter the length of the day or the number of students.
Through Mel, Amey have been a considerable supporter and champion of social values and action, with an estimate of 36,000 young people being lucky enough to be supported on their journeys by this wonderful individual and community engaged company. Mel has proven to be an incredible presenter and has been able to effortlessly work in a variety of education settings. She has helped point the most ambitious of students in the right direction concerning their employability and made the most anxious of young people feel relaxed and able to conquer the interview process.
As with all of our 'Incredible People' she is one of the first on the list for a variety of projects and events, and we hope to have many, many more years being fortunate enough to work in partnership.
INCREDIBLE PEOPLE
APRIL 2026 - THE SCHOOLWEAR CENTRE
Siobhan Phillips, Managing Director of The Schoolwear Centre in Thanet, has supported East Kent students and the charity for well over 15 years. She has been a mainstay of EBP Kent's Work Placement programme, having supported hundreds of young people, offering them a vital opportunity to experience a workplace, develop transferable skills and be inspired by the entrepreneurial creativity that Siobhan has put into the business. Hundreds of young people have benefited from Siobhan's support in this way as The Schoolwear Centre continues to be at the forefront of giving young people a chance to realise potential and increase their personal confidence.
Siobhan has also given up her time to support several of EBP Kent's events. Siobhan's positive energy and confidence when engaging with young people makes her one of the first people contacted for mock interviewing, of which she has supported many, many times. The interview process can see many young people worried at the prospect, but incredible volunteers like Siobhan instantly put them at ease and provide pivotal feedback that can be used for their CVs and personal profiles. Siobhan has also provided stands at Exhibtion Fairs and recently delivered workshops mentoring young people on interview techniques.
Siobhan's energy and continued support has been remarkable over the years and as with everyone else on this list, our charity hopes that Siobhan knows how valued and respected they are by so many young people who have been lucky enough to be supported by The Schoolwear Centre. EBP Kent couldn't be more grateful and hopes to have the opportunity to work with Siobhan for many more years to come
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