Meet Our Staff
Scroll down to meet the Optimas team
Matthew Smith
Operations Director
Background
Founded Optimas three years ago with Garry Brown after more than ten years experience in the recruitment, sales and training industries. Previously founded and managed successful recruitment business, Dilectus.
Worst job you’ve ever done
Worked in a House of Fraser Coffee Shop on a Saturday. Miserable...
Favourite place to be
Barcelona
Who is your hero
Spiderman
What song would be the theme tune to your life
Moonshiner, by Uncle Tupelo
Garry Brown
Training Director
Background
Since leaving university I have been involved in the hospitality industry, the sales industry and now the training industry. Since starting Optimas with Matthew our knowledge of the industry has grown enormously which, along with our previous experience, has allowed the company to prosper.
Worst job you’ve ever done
Shelf stacking in a supermarket. My colleagues were the only reason I stuck with it.
Favourite place to be
Mallorca with my family
Who is your hero
Super Ally McCoist a true Rangers legend
What song would be the theme tune to your life
Que sera, sera, whatever will be will be
Dan Liptrott
IAM Team Leader
Background
Had a brief period in Sales whilst at 6th Form College before becoming a Site Manager in Construction. After nearly 4 years in the sector and health and safety making the job a burden, decided to move back into a sales focussed role with Optimas.
Worst job you’ve ever done
1 and a half days in McDonalds when I was 16. Then they made me take all the bins out . . . . .
Favourite place to be
Easter Weekend in Blackpool!!
Who is your hero
Peter Stringfellow
What song would be the theme tune to your life
Theme from Benny Hill
Simone Brodie
Office Manager
Background
After leaving sixth form I worked for a large local Waste Recycling Company for 10 years until I was made redundant. I started there as receptionist, left as assistant to the Transport Manager and covered a few different jobs along the way!
Worst job you’ve ever done
I worked in a beautiful little tea room as a weekend girl but the boss was a completely miserable horrible man who took all our tips.
Favourite place to be
A cosy day at home.
Who is your hero
My Mum. She has taught me everything I know about being a good mummy as well as being a good person!
What song would be the theme tune to your life
Son of A Preacher Man – anyone who knows me knows why...
Rachael Williamson
Centre Manager
Background
I have been working as an Assessor since 2005. Prior to this I was a Team Manager within a Debt Management Company. During this time I completed my ILM Diploma in Managment, A1, V1 and Certificate in Education.
Worst job you’ve ever done
Working at a pizza shop serving drunkards with greasy food.
Favourite place to be
Baga Beach, Goa, India
Who is your hero
My Mum
What song would be the theme tune to your life
New Radicals – ‘You get what you give’
Kami Kaur
Assessor
Background
The majority of my experience has been within the role of telesales associate and as a front line manager within the retail sector. I graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University in 2007 with a BA Honours in Sociology.
Worst job you’ve ever done
Telesales
Favourite place to be
India - at the Golden Temple Amritsar.
Who is your hero
My beloved Father
What song would be the theme tune to your life
I Believe I Can Fly
Abigail Holt
Assessor
Background
After studying for many years to be an actress I took a complete change and went into customer service. After 6 years of working my way up to senior positions in various companies fate stepped in and I became an NVQ assessor. Best move I have ever made!
Worst job you’ve ever done
Pub cleaner. I won’t describe what cleaning the toilets was like!
Favourite place to be
On stage.
Who is your hero
Sponge Bob Square Pants. The guy is a genius!
What song would be the theme tune to your life
Drive by Incubus.
Michele Parker
Assessor
Background
I have worked in a number of Further Education colleges delivering and assessing NVQs in a range of occupational areas together with Teacher Training qualifications. My experience includes the delivery and assessment of the Assessor and Internal Verifier awards.
Worst job you’ve ever done
Working in a Pub
Favourite place to be
Vienna – listening to the music of Johann Strauss II
Who is your hero
My father
What song would be the theme tune to your life
You’ll Never Walk Alone
.jpg)
Tasmin Dehaney
Assessor
Background
I have enjoyed a varied career but my main background was Hospitality, Sales & Events which lead me to become a qualified NVQ Assessor in 2002, I also have experience in Business Development and Event Management but ultimately assessing was always the job for me.
Worst job you’ve ever done
I did a stint working for a company performing hearing tests, but looking down people’s hairy ears all day wasn’t good for my appetite.
Favourite place to be
Watching the sun set on a hot beach with good food and wine.
Who is your hero
My husband Andrew.
What song would be the theme tune to your life
It would have to be either Better Together by Jack Johnson or Love of my Life by Erykah Badu, same theme different style.
Ruby Collins
HR Assistant
Background
I came to work for Optimas Straight from school as an apprentice.
Worst job you’ve ever done
This is the first job I’ve ever had.
Favourite place to be
Turkey
Who is your hero
My Dad
What song would be the theme tune to your life
Don’t worry be happy
Nicola Stevenson
Account Executive
Background
I’ve done a lot of voluntary sports coaching for young children in my area which I really enjoyed, which included a range of sports.
Worst job you’ve ever done
Waitressing.
Favourite place to be
Turkey.
Who is your hero
My Mum.
What song would be the theme tune to your life
Couldn’t decide, I have too many, and it depends what mood I’m in!
Andy Winstanley
Internal Account Manager
Background
Worked in a sales environment for the last 5 years, ranging from business to business to consumer sales. Prior to this I attended university and studied Politics and Social Sciences.
Worst job you’ve ever done
Order Packing after my GCSE exams.
Favourite place to be
In a beer garden with the sun shining – Heaven!
Who is your hero
Nobody really. At a push, Hulk Hogan.
What song would be the theme tune to your life
“Bare Necessities” Forget about your worries and your strife.
Josie Brown
Account Executive
Background
I’ve worked in a DIY store, in a bakery and in various restaurants, bars, hotels and shops in Turkey. I then worked in a call centre, doing a sales apprenticeship before moving to Optimas.
Worst job you’ve ever done
Clock watching in the DIY store.
Favourite place to be
Pamukkale, Turkey
Who is your hero
Batman.. obviously!
What song would be the theme tune to your life
The Lion Sleeps Tonight – The Tokens
Joanne Waylett
Internal Account Manager
Background
I have worked in a outbound sales Environment for the last 7 years selling various products. Before I came to work at Optimas I worked as an Account Manager for an Employer Engagement company in Barnsley
Worst job you’ve ever done
Working in a chicken fast-food shop when I was at school as I have been Vegetarian for 16 years.
Favourite place to be
Magaluf partying, or bed
Who is your hero
My boyfriend, Simon.
What song would be the theme tune to your life
Bonkers - Dizee Rascal
Stacy Wilkinson
Account Executive
Background
I have started my job straight from leaving school as an apprentices.
Worst job you’ve ever done
I was a cleaner for a while whilst at school which wasn't fun!
Favourite place to be
At home with my micro pig :)
Who is your hero
My Father
What song would be the theme tune to your life
Michael Jackson – Man in the Mirror
Stephanie Bates
Administration Assistant
Background
After completing my A Levels in 2009 I am now completing an Advanced Apprenticeship in Business Administration whilst working at Optimas Training.
Worst job you’ve ever done
Working in a bakery
Favourite place to be
Cuba
Who is your hero
Pixie Lott
What song would be the theme tune to your life
“I’ve had the time of my life”
James Webb
Funded Training Manager
Background
Started off in the construction industry and moved into sales after a few years. I have been selling fully funded and part funded qualifications for a previous company and moved to Optimas in mid 2010.
Worst job you’ve ever done
Pot wash, lasted two days and smashed £250 worth of bowls by accident.
Favourite place to be
Leeds Festival
Who is your hero
Yogi Bear
What song would be the theme tune to your life
"Dancing on the Ceiling", by Lionel Richie.
Jenna Horsley
Apprenticeship Manager
Background
I have worked in the telesales industry for the last 5 years. My last job was with an employer engagement company for whom I worked for 3 years.
Worst job you’ve ever done
KFC. I didn’t even last the 4 hour shift!
Favourite place to be
Back travelling Oz.
Who is your hero
My Mum.
What song would be the theme tune to your life
Frank Sinatra, "That’s life".
Tina Brown
Freelance Assessor
Rawaz Khan
Freelance Assessor
Robin Peak
Freelance Assessor