Who we are

Our Directors have substantial experience in schools, local authorities and higher education, and in business and finance. Their complimentary skills ensure a dynamically led, forward thinking company which is at the forefront of implementation of government initiatives and educational change.

Tony Cook – Chief Executive

Tony’s experience in the education profession spans 40 years working in partnership with schools, academies, local authorities and government agencies in the areas of Initial Teacher Training, Continuing Professional Development and Human Resources. He founded EM Direct in 1997, and the Company is now nationally recognized as a major private sector provider of teacher training, leadership programmes and related services.

Tony has established partnership working and contractual arrangements with over 20 local authorities, 6 universities/HEIs and numerous schools. He has bid for and acquired many major Training and Development Agency (TDA) contracts including Accreditation as an Initial Teacher Training Provider for the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) and the Assessment Only Route, and Early Years Professional Status with the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC). Tony’s impressive achievements include making EM Direct the largest non-HEI provider of the GTP in the country and the second largest amongst all providers, culminating with him meeting the Schools Minister in July 2011, to discuss government teacher training initiatives. His extensive experience in the profession also includes 13 years as a School Governor, including the last 6 as Chairman, of a Lincolnshire Primary School.

Tony is responsible for...
developing strategy and building key contacts, networks and partnerships and ensuring their effectiveness.

Email: enquiries@emdirect.co.uk

Christine Flint – Managing Director

Christine has 20 years experience of working in early years settings and schools, and teaching in the higher education sector. She joined EM Direct in 2006 to work on the EYPS contract and was soon promoted to Head of Early Years, where she impressively led the programme to be evaluated by CWDC as Outstanding. Christine successfully negotiated partnerships with 4 HEIs to deliver aspects of EYPS, creating a new model of delivery for the programme.

In 2010, Christine was appointed as a Director to develop EM Direct’s leadership programmes, which has seen EM Direct being contracted to the NCSL Leadership and Training Framework. Her track record in leadership and management saw her take over the role of MD in September 2011, following a re-structuring of the company. She is also a governor at the Ormiston Maritime Academy, Grimsby where EM Direct have worked in partnership with the school when it previously held Trust status.

Christine is responsible for...
driving the direction of EM Direct's contracts, co-ordinating the delivery of our products and organising systems to keep moving the company forward, enabling us to meet all targets whilst maintaining the highest quality.

Email: enquiries@emdirect.co.uk

Kathryn Stafford – Operations Director

Kathryn worked as a Primary School teacher for 22 years before joining EM Direct in 1997 and has worked closely with Tony Cook on the successful development of the Company. She has taught across Key Stages 1 and 2 in a number of schools in West Sussex, Wiltshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. Since joining EM Direct, Kathryn successfully developed and managed a supply teacher agency, and held a lead role in the organisation and management of the East Midlands HLTA consortium as the Regional Provider of Assessment, including regular liaison with the 9 East Midlands local authorities.

Kathryn was instrumental in maintaining and managing a large local authority supply service contract which led to its renewal until its transfer to another organisation. She has also established EM Direct as an Umbrella Body to undertake CRB disclosures on behalf of other organisations.

Kathryn is responsible for...
managing EM Direct’s Human Resources, developing all policies and procedures, health and safety and IT security. She is also responsible for the strategic management of the EM Centre for Learning and Educational Resources.

Email: enquiries@emdirect.co.uk

Mike Newton – Finance Director

Mike is an experienced Finance Director who brings many years of expertise of working in the commercial and financial sectors to EM Direct. He has operated in the business and banking sectors for major organisations so has a wealth of financial and accounting knowledge.

Mike is responsible for...
all financial aspects of EM Direct and EM Centre for Learning. Mike works closely with all service managers, helping to standardise their processes for efficiency, to enable all EM Direct contracts to be delivered cost effectively and within budget.

Email: enquiries@emdirect.co.uk