At Tempdent, our people are at the heart of everything we do. To help maintain the high standards our learners, employers and candidates expect, we’re proud to introduce our Senior Management Team (SMT).

Made up of leaders from across operations, onboarding, recruitment, partnerships, compliance, learner support, quality assurance, business development and marketing, the SMT plays a vital role in overseeing the day-to-day delivery of our services.

Through collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement, the team works together to enhance performance, strengthen processes and ensure we continue delivering exceptional experiences across the business.

Membership of the SMT reflects the leadership, expertise and commitment each individual brings to their role. We’re delighted to introduce the members of our Senior Management Team and the experience they bring to Tempdent.

Melissa Walford

Onboarding Manager

Melissa began her career in the apprenticeship sector in 2013 as an apprentice herself. That experience inspired a passion for helping others develop their careers through apprenticeships and has shaped her dedication to supporting learners throughout their professional development journey.

As Onboarding Manager, Melissa leads the enrolment experience, ensuring learners receive the guidance, support and resources they need from day one. Working alongside her team, she is committed to delivering an exceptional start to every learner journey while continuously improving processes to meet the changing needs of learners, employers and the apprenticeship landscape.

By maintaining high standards and placing the learner experience at the centre of everything she does, Melissa helps create positive and motivating foundations for learner success.

Sally Pike

Apprenticeship Recruitment Manager

Sally is passionate about helping individuals take their first steps into rewarding careers in dentistry and believes every aspiring apprentice deserves the opportunity to realise their potential.

With more than seven years of experience in apprenticeship recruitment, employability and learner attraction, she has dedicated her career to creating opportunities that change lives while helping employers build talented and sustainable workforces.

As Apprenticeship Recruitment Manager, Sally leads Tempdent’s apprentice recruitment strategy, working closely with employers, colleagues and partners to continually improve how future dental professionals are attracted, engaged and supported. She combines innovation, data and exceptional candidate experiences to deliver outstanding outcomes for learners and employers.

Looking ahead, Sally is committed to raising standards across apprenticeship recruitment, championing employability and making careers in dentistry more accessible than ever before.

Sharon Lillywhite

Data & Compliance Manager

Sharon is Tempdent’s Funding, Exams and Compliance Manager and recently celebrated her fifth anniversary with the organisation.

She leads the team responsible for ensuring compliance throughout the learner journey, from onboarding and programme delivery through to end-point assessment. Her work focuses on safeguarding funding, maintaining audit-ready learner records and ensuring regulatory requirements are met at every stage.

Sharon oversees learner registration, examinations, end-point assessment processes and monthly funding claims, working closely with senior leaders and operational teams to ensure accuracy, compliance and efficiency. She has also played a significant role in supporting audit preparation, improving cross-department collaboration and strengthening ways of working across the organisation.

As a member of the SMT, Sharon is committed to driving best practice, leading positive change and supporting strategic decision-making that benefits learners, employers and the wider business.

Heather Linney

Operations Manager

Heather brings more than 23 years of experience across apprenticeships, education, training and employability.

An experienced operations and quality leader, she has developed extensive expertise in operational leadership, quality improvement, apprenticeship delivery and compliance. Throughout her career, Heather has successfully driven learner achievement, employer engagement and organisational performance.

Her experience includes leading multi-site teams, supporting Ofsted inspections, implementing strategic quality initiatives and embedding cultures of continuous improvement across vocational sectors.

Heather holds Level 7 qualifications in Leadership and Management, End-Point Assessment and Quality Assurance, alongside extensive knowledge of ESFA funding, safeguarding and curriculum development. She is passionate about developing high-performing teams and delivering exceptional outcomes for both learners and businesses.

Andrew Iles

Operations Manager

With 28 years of experience within the training and apprenticeship sector, Andrew is an accomplished and highly resourceful operational leader.

His career has encompassed a range of key positions, developing strong expertise in organisational management, compliance, quality assurance and performance improvement. Recognised as an effective communicator with both strategic and operational insight, Andrew combines practical leadership with a strong focus on results.

Passionate about helping individuals and teams succeed, he has consistently delivered efficient quality and performance systems that support organisational growth and operational excellence. His experience in project management, problem-solving and continuous improvement allows him to drive positive outcomes while maintaining a strong focus on compliance and key performance indicators.

Maria Ward

Learning Support Manager

Maria has spent more than 12 years working within the apprenticeship sector, driven by a passion for helping learners achieve success.

As Learning Support Manager, she oversees Additional Learning Support provision and leads Tempdent’s Functional Skills English and maths programmes. She is committed to creating inclusive learning environments that recognise individual strengths and needs, enabling learners to build confidence, overcome barriers and achieve their full potential.

Maria is excited to work alongside colleagues from across the organisation within the SMT, bringing her learner-focused perspective to discussions that help shape the future direction of Tempdent and improve outcomes for learners, colleagues and employers alike.

Keira Turner

Partnership Manager

Keira joined Knovia in 2019 as a Client Solutions Coordinator and has since progressed through a variety of account management and partnership roles while also achieving her ILM qualification.

As Partnership Manager and a member of the SMT, she oversees Tempdent’s largest employer account, leading initiatives focused on employer satisfaction, engagement and retention. Passionate about customer success, Keira is committed to strengthening Tempdent’s employer-focused approach and enhancing the experiences delivered to employer partners.

A strong advocate for apprenticeships, she believes they provide one of the most effective pathways into successful careers and is dedicated to supporting employers in attracting and developing future talent.

Jas Dhillon

Head of Business Development

Jas has spent the past 18 years working within apprenticeships, including more than 15 years leading strategy and business growth initiatives.

As Head of Business Development for Dental Apprenticeships, she is focused on expanding employer engagement, strengthening workforce partnerships, driving innovation and building on Tempdent’s position as a leading workforce development organisation within the dental sector.

Passionate about creating sustainable growth, Jas is committed to developing strategies that deliver long-term value for employers, strengthen talent pipelines and support the future workforce of dentistry.

She is particularly proud to work alongside a dedicated team whose expertise and commitment continue to raise standards across the organisation.

Ellie Shehan

Recruitment Manager

As Recruitment Manager for Tempdent’s permanent and locum recruitment services, Ellie is dedicated to connecting highly skilled dental professionals with the right opportunities.

Her focus is on supporting clients with immediate staffing needs while also helping candidates achieve long-term career development and success. Passionate about building strong relationships, Ellie believes recruitment plays a key role in supporting both individuals and organisations to thrive.

Through her involvement in the SMT, she is keen to strengthen collaboration across departments, particularly between training and recruitment, creating greater synergy and value for clients, learners and candidates alike.

Tracey Rodgers

Strategic Commercial Education Manager

Tracey has dedicated her entire career to the dental profession, beginning in clinical practice before progressing into training and education roles. Throughout her career, she has developed a passion for supporting and developing others within dentistry, helping professionals build the confidence, knowledge and skills needed to succeed and progress in their careers.

As Strategic Commercial Education Manager, Tracey combines her extensive industry experience with a strong commitment to professional development, working to ensure learning opportunities are engaging, practical and impactful. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and expertise to help individuals achieve their full potential, believing that the most rewarding aspect of her role is seeing others grow and succeed.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, Tracey brings valuable insight from both the clinical and education sectors, helping to strengthen Tempdent’s commitment to delivering high-quality learning experiences and supporting the future development of the dental workforce.

Kate Bradstock

Lead IQA

Kate has over 25 years of experience spanning dentistry, education and quality assurance, including almost nine years with Tempdent.

She is passionate about developing people, supporting teams and creating positive learning experiences that make a lasting difference. Throughout her career, Kate has focused on helping individuals and organisations achieve their full potential through collaboration, continuous improvement and high standards.

As Lead IQA and a member of the SMT, she works closely with colleagues, learners and external partners to drive quality and share best practice. She believes that great outcomes are achieved through listening, encouraging innovation and maintaining a strong focus on the people at the heart of every decision.

Outside of Tempdent, Kate serves as a Patient Safety Partner with the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Resuscitation Council UK, contributing to national improvements in healthcare education and patient safety.

Jamie Bannister

Marketing Manager

Jamie joined Tempdent two years ago and brings extensive marketing experience gained across a variety of sectors, including leisure, interiors, education and now dental education and recruitment.

As Marketing Manager, she leads all aspects of Tempdent’s marketing function, overseeing communications, events, website development, digital marketing, social media, brand management and campaign delivery. Her role focuses on ensuring Tempdent’s services, opportunities and successes are effectively communicated to learners, employers, job seekers and industry stakeholders.

Passionate about using creativity to drive meaningful results, Jamie enjoys developing innovative marketing strategies that strengthen brand awareness, support business growth and enhance the experiences of those engaging with Tempdent.

As a member of the SMT, Jamie is focused on turning improvement initiatives into reality through effective marketing and communications. Whether developing new resources for learners, employers and candidates, supporting business-wide projects or helping launch new initiatives, she is committed to ensuring marketing plays a key role in Tempdent’s continued success.

Driving excellence

The Senior Management Team represents a wealth of experience from across Tempdent’s operations, bringing together leaders who are passionate about delivering excellent outcomes for learners, employers and colleagues.

By working collaboratively across departments, the SMT plays a critical role in maintaining high standards, improving operational effectiveness and supporting the continued growth of the business. Their combined expertise helps ensure that Tempdent remains responsive to the needs of the sector while continuing to deliver the quality and service our learners, employers and partners have come to expect.

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