Our Team

Darren Horne

Darren Horne, Co-Chair

Darren has an Interest in Chinese Economic Development (ED) and has been supporting colleagues in ED Zones since the 1990s. Vocational Education became a significant sector for Darren in 2012, when EDZs wanted to find sustainable solutions for cooperation with UK FE sector, to build higher skilled Chinese workforces for future economies. Darren studied Strategic Innovation at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford and International Relations at Leiden University, Netherlands.

Dr Aili Zhu

Dr Aili Zhu, Vice Chair

Aili is co founder of CUK TVET Alliance, a highly experienced and a world leading innovator in the modern development of Vocational Education between China and UK. She is a PhD graduate of Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese medicine and holds a strong understanding of UK and Chinese education systems, processes and resource requirement for sustainable cooperation in this sector.

Peter Snowball

Peter Snowball, Co-Chair

Peter Leads the CUK TVET programme development and quality assurance team and has overall responsibility for the operations within CUK TVET. He is skilled at leading change with a passion for working with Chinese colleagues. Over Peters 30+ years in the Vocational Education sector, he has worked as a skilled coach and trainer; Qualified Manager; Qualified Teacher/Assessor; Internal Quality Assurance Verifier, and has worked as an inspector of colleges and work-based programmes for Her Majesties Government.

Marie Lizion

Marie Lizion, Executive Director

Marie is a French national, living in the UK. She has worked in the UK Vocational education system for 38 years in varying senior management positions. Marie is also a language examiner, a licensee for visa regulations and rights in education and business by the British Home Office Visa and Immigration Bureau. Marie is an assessor and reviewer for many international courses such as CCSE and Triple Bar. She has extensive experience in international project development and cooperation, vocational training curriculum development, project management and quality assurance protocols.

Steve Leahy

Steve Leahy, Operations Director

Steve is founder of the Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce and served as Chairman for over 11 years. As part of his role as Chamber Chairman he developed strategic supply chain projects in China. Steve is now welcomed to CUK Education and holds responsibility As Director of UK Financial Operations.

Jennie Lawson

Jennie Lawson, QA Specialist

Jennie Lawson is an assessment and quality assurance specialist with over 25 years experience in the awarding sector. She is also a qualified assessor and External Quality Assurer. As Head of Quality for One Awards, an Awarding Organisation and Access Validating Agency, she was responsible for the support and monitoring of centres delivering Ofqual qualifications and managing a team of EQAs.

John Earland

John Earland, QA Specialist

John is a highly qualified professional teacher, teacher trainer and lecturer, and is an expert in teaching, learning and assessment pedagogy and andragogy, working in all levels of education.. John is an expert in curriculum design, development and assessment with over 20 years’ experience in quality assurance within colleges, universities and UK awarding organisations. John has worked as a member of the QAA qualification development group for the national qualifications that provide entry into universities in the UK.

Alison Zucker

Alison Zucker, QA Specialist

Alison is a highly experienced leader of quality assurance teams for UK Awarding Organisations, including Cambridge Assessment International Education, where she is an Assistant Principal Examiner. Alison has an Hons Degree in English Literature as well as a Master’s Degree from the University of York. Alison has worked for UK universities and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) where she scrutinised and ensured that qualifications were compliant with the UK National Framework Standards, maintaining their high quality.

Barrie Kennard

Barrie Kennard, QA Specialist

Barrie spent 18 years as a lecturer in Cardiff Business School before being appointed Chief Executive of the Welsh Government Centre for Excellence in Leadership & Management development. Experienced business leader/manager across several sectors. Designs and delivers workshops/speeches/presentations at events across the UK and internationally. Doctoral research into Modern Apprenticeships with an interest in work based learning

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If you're interested in getting involved, please feel free to send us an introduction to your college.

We'd love to hear about your programs and the areas of delivery you're looking to expand.

Together, we can make a difference in the education industry.