Our Advisory Board
Current Members
Councillor Sharon Thompson
Labour Councillor – North Edgbaston Ward | Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council | Deputy Mayor of West Midlands Combined Authority
Sharon Thompson’s story begins with her experience as a homeless teenager, which has shaped her drive and determination to bring about social change. In 2010, Sharon made a conscious decision to change her life in a decade. Since drawing up a life plan, Sharon has received numerous national awards for her contributions to social change and politics. She has held senior leadership positions and served as a magistrate, and since 2014, has been an elected Councillor for the City of Birmingham.
Sharon has held several non-executive director positions. She is a sought-after keynote speaker on political engagement, homelessness, housing, women in leadership, and Black, Asian, Ethnic Minorities in Leadership. Her presentations are practical and inspiring, challenging audiences to develop their leadership skills both personally and professionally through self-leadership.
In May 2023, Sharon was appointed Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, the very first ethnic minority to hold the position in our city. As Deputy Leader, Sharon also holds the Cabinet portfolio for skills, jobs and apprenticeships, strategic partnerships and Cost of Living. She shares Major Sporting events with the Leader and is the WMCA portfolio Holder for Levelling Up and Devolution.
In May 2024 she was reappointed Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills. The new portfolio enables her to continue her work on major sporting events, skills, jobs, apprenticeships, Cost of Living and Levelling Up. In addition, she has political leadership responsibility for the international promotion of the city and inward investment, promotion of the city with partners such as West Midlands Growth Company. Sharon also now chairs the BAES Advisory Board.
On a more local footing the portfolio includes responsibility for development of BIDs, land use planning such as Local Development Plans and Neighbourhood Plans.
Kalvinder Kohli
Assistant Director Prevention and Early Intervention, Birmingham City Council
I have worked across the voluntary and community sector and local government for over 25 years, led the number of programmes, strategies and commissioning activities focusing on prevention, earlier interventions, and asset-based community development.
My passion throughout my working and volunteering life has always been the importance of tackling deep seated inequalities for the most vulnerable and the importance of delivering better outcomes for citizens.
I led the Adult Social Care Directorates Prevention First Agenda supporting the delivery of the vision for Adult Social Care since 2017 which includes the development of the award, winning Neighbourhood Networks Schemes. I currently lead on the Council wide Early Intervention and Prevention Programme enabling the council to become an Early Intervention and Prevention Led organisation.
Mary Booth
Service Delivery Manager, Good Things Foundation
I am a Product and Service Delivery Manager at Good Things Foundation, the UKs leading digital inclusion charity. We run the National Digital Inclusion network, made up of over 5000 organisations working together to deliver free digital inclusion support in local communities. I have a particular focus on learning and skills, and I manage the delivery of free digital skills training through our flagship online platform, Learn My Way, helping people gain essential digital skills and confidence to use the internet. I am also responsible for a library of supporting resources and calendar of training and events available on the Members’ Area of our website. I passionately believe that learning new skills broadens horizons and am a champion for providing learning opportunities to everyone using means and methods that provide the best individual experience for them.
Nazia Nureen
Founder, Iron Lady Fitness CIC
I am the founder of Iron Lady Fitness CIC a community-focused fitness coaching organisation, aiming to help people manage their health and well-being by providing access to personalised and effective fitness and health solutions. My role focuses on supporting diverse communities, reducing barriers such as isolation and health inequalities.
I am delighted to be part of the Advisory Board at BAES and sharing my lived experiences as an adult learner and strategic leadership qualities. I believe that empowering learners with quality education means enabling successful citizens within our community.
Amy Patten
Programme Director (Pastoral) Engineering and Applied Sciences Foundation Programme, Aston University
I am the Programme Director (Pastoral) for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Foundation Programme at Aston University. I am a Senior Teaching Fellow, with Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, specialising in Chemistry/Biochemistry. I have worked on the Foundation Programme since 2017 and within my role have led on several modules on the Foundation Programme including Foundation Chemistry 1 & 2, Biological and Biochemical Science Foundations, and Essential Skills for Engineering and Applied Sciences (covering a wide range of transferable skills to develop students’ broader skills base beyond the technical). I have also held roles as Head of Department for the Aston Foundation Centre and Associate Dean (Undergraduate) for the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.
I believe that providing strong pastoral support is crucial for student success and well-being, and to best support my students and staff I have completed several mental health associated qualifications, including being a Mental Health First Aid Champion for the university. I have also worked with colleagues across the university within student support roles, enabling me to best support students, including embedding mental health and wellbeing into the curriculum. My goal is to make a positive difference for our students, ensuring that every individual feels supported in their journey.
I look forward to working with you all during my tenure on the advisory board.
Karen Jameson
Head of Healthcare Careers & Development, University Hospital Birmingham
Karen has over 16 years’ experience leading on career development within University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB). Managing the Healthcare Careers and Development team that supports both existing staff and the local community who wish to work within the NHS, Karen looks at removing barriers and providing opportunities for people within the West Midlands region to choose the NHS to build their careers. Karen is passionate about ensuring staff are able to achieve their potential and takes a lead within the organisation on initiatives such as employability skills, career coaching, apprenticeships, work experience and functional skills. Previously Karen worked in the Dudley Group of Hospitals as their Learning and Development manager, and she was able to bring her enthusiasm and experience to UHB to support a staff group of over 23,000.
Emily Stubbs
Head of Policy, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
Emily Stubbs is Head of Policy at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, responsible for leading the strategic development of the Chamber’s policy, campaigns and research activity.
In 2023, Emily co-authored the West Midlands and Warwickshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), a statutory document funded by the Department for Education. Through collaboration with regional stakeholders, businesses and further education providers, the WMW LSIP aims to support delivery of skills provision to meet employer demand and facilitate regional growth. Emily leads the research and analysis underpinning the LSIP, which in Stage 1 featured insights from over 1,000 engagements with local employers. In 2024, Emily authored the West Midlands and Warwickshire LSIP Progress Report, reflecting on the work undertaken by regional Chambers of Commerce, training providers and wider stakeholders to date to implement the recommendations of the Plan.
Emily also works with colleagues across the Chamber on the annual Birmingham Economic Review, produced by the Chambers in partnership with the University of Birmingham’s City-Region Economic and Development Institute (City-REDI), and delivery of public funded business support programmes. She is also chair of the Chamber’s internal AI and Digitalisation Working Group.
Prior to joining the Chamber in 2017 as a Policy and Patron Adviser focussing on education, employment and skills and business productivity, Emily graduated from the University of Birmingham with a degree in Law. Emily is also an alumna of the Uprising Leadership Programme.
Brian Henry
Principal / Head of Service of Manchester Adult Education
Brian Henry is an exceptional senior leader with extensive experience in curriculum development, quality assurance and teaching, learning & assessment further strengthened with current role as Principal/Head of Service of Manchester Adult Education containing approximately 10,000 adult and community learners.
Brian has specialist knowledge in IT/MIS which has been taken into the learning and education domain. Brian has significantly improved the quality of teaching & learning assessment and outcomes in the last three major roles, and the overall Ofsted judgement from Requires Improvement to Good in the last two major roles, whilst continually studying and gaining further qualifications. Brian has a Master’s in Education (MA) and QTLS.
Riaz Khan
Advanced Customer Support Senior Leader – Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)
Riaz has held a variety of leadership roles in the area of safeguarding and supporting the most vulnerable in society. Riaz has worked in the private sector, Charity/Third sector, the NHS, Local authorities and 2 Civil Service departments including Ofsted.
Riaz joined the DWP in 2021 and is responsible for overseeing the support the department provides to customers with additional needs across Birmingham & Solihull which includes 15 jobcentres and encompasses all DWP product lines.
Christina Moulard
Curriculum Rep, Birmingham Adult Education Service
My name is Christina Moulard. I am French and I came to England on the 1st of September 1987 as an Au-pair in Sutton Coldfield. I went on to complete a Combined Degree in French and Government at the University of Aston. In 1995, I completed a PGCE in French and Drama. I have taught in many different settings ranging from private schools, large mix comprehension schools to industry settings; and now adult education.
Throughout my career I have trained teachers to deliver ranges of topics to learners, ranging from sex education to interview techniques delivered on a regular basis, assemblies on different range of topics and I was also in charge of a year group’s pastoral support. I led and delivered Industry weeks and organised visits to different industries in the West-Midlands such as Jaguar and Cadbury. Further, I designed a Study Pack for Birmingham Airport to welcome secondary school groups. I was also a Mentor to student teachers, in line with the delivery of PGCE courses from Warwick University and The University of Birmingham.
I am currently delivering a range of courses at Brasshouse Language Centre, from French beginners to Advanced Conversation. I am also an active member of the Language Club and BLS (Brasshouse Language Services) which caters to delivering bespoke courses to Industry, individual or small groups of learners.
Anja Smeding
Learner Rep, Birmingham Adult Education Service
My name is Anja Smeding, and I am from the Netherlands. I came to Birmingham in 2008 after living in Egypt for 4 years. Since then, I have done several courses and many different jobs.
I have done courses in IT, business administration and accounting but also in First Aid, Food Hygiene, and languages. I have worked in sales, cleaning, school kitchens, and administration, to name but a few. During one of my work experiences, I developed a liking for law and therefore have done a bachelor’s in law.
I love studying, not necessarily for a profession but out of pure curiosity or interest. I also, love to learn new skills and meet new people from different backgrounds and learn from them.
Axel Patou Heussi Heussi
Learner Rep, Birmingham Adult Education Service
My name is Axel Patou Heussi Heussi. I completed primary school and secondary school in the same city of Douala and have been involved in sport since 2002 after the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
In 2009 after finishing with my secondary school, I went to the Political Capital called Yaounde to continue with my sporting career as an athlete. In 2010, I participated in the African Championship in Cameroon, and I went to a lot of Training Camps with the senior team. I stopped competing as an athlete in 2015.
I completed my first coaching course of level 1 in 2016, and in 2017 I completed my second coaching course for level 2. In 2018 I escorted the Cameroonian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Team in Egypt as a coach and was awarded as the best young weightlifting coach for Africa. In 2020 I went to Iran, and Uzbekistan with athletes.
In 2021 I escorted athletes in Kenya for the African Championships. Finally, in 2022 I came in England for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Since living in Birmingham, I have been studying with Birmingham Adult Education Service at the Brasshouse and Selly Oak Centres. I started in Entry 2 ESOL and Entry 3 Maths, and I am now in Level 1 ESOL, Level 1 Maths and Level 1 IT.
Asma Khan
Learner Rep, Birmingham Adult Education Service
My name is Asma Khan. I came to the United Kingdom with my mother in 2010, seeking asylum. I was only 15 when we arrived and had no support and no advice on what we should do. It has been a challenging journey, especially since our first solicitors offered us misguided advice, leading to delays and errors in our cases. As a result, we find ourselves in a state of uncertainty within the asylum system. I have faced challenges but never let them stop my pursuit of knowledge. I completed my GCSEs, and in 2016, I achieved a Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Science with grades of D*D*D*.
I applied to several universities and received acceptance letters, which filled me with excitement about pursuing my academic dreams. However, our situation took a drastic turn when we received an eviction notice. With our solicitor absent on holiday, we were left without essential guidance. As a result, we found ourselves moving from one hostel to another, desperately searching for a stable place to call home. Although my education was interrupted, I had the privilege of volunteering at a charity organization as a member of its legal advisory panel. This experience significantly enhanced my ability to work collaboratively with others.
I am currently enrolled in IT courses at BAES, and I am dedicated to completing the Level 3 ICDL course next year if given the opportunity. This academic year, I will focus on the Level 2 Computer Skills for Work and the Level 1 & Level 2 Graphic Design courses. These foundational courses will equip me with the essential knowledge and skills needed for success in my career.
Fanniza Begum
Learner Rep, Birmingham Adult Education Service
I am Fanniza, a passionate advocate for community engagement and women’s empowerment. My journey began with mentoring local women, which inspired me to delve deeper into understanding their needs through community-based research. At Birmingham City University, I led the project “Supporting the Talents of Women in Ward End,” uncovering critical barriers that affect women’s life chances in East Birmingham. My efforts were recognised with a first-prize award for my significant contribution and personal growth as a Community Researcher.
To further support my community, I have pursued professional development with Birmingham Adult Education Service, completing a Level 2 Mentoring course and currently studying a Level 2 Counselling course. These experiences have enhanced my ability to set clear targets, address individual needs, and provide effective support.
I am now in the process of registering a Community Interest Company (CIC) through Companies House. My initiative aims to empower women by improving their English language skills, enabling them to fully participate in their careers and personal lives. Alongside this, I am committed to fostering networks of support to help women overcome isolation, build resilience, and address mental health challenges.
In many Asian communities, women’s identities and talents are often undervalued. My mission is to change this narrative by helping women recognise their worth, embrace self-care, and unlock their potential to thrive both personally and professionally.
Having this opportunity as an Advisory Board member, I believe I will build a stronger path for myself while also helping other learners and the community.
Sheila McGrath
Volunteer, Birmingham Adult Education Service
I have been a volunteer with BAES for 18 months. I support an Entry 1 ESOL class. Currently we have 14 students from Asia, Africa and Europe.