David Glossop (General Manager)
David has been involved in running educational programmes to young offenders and those at risk for twenty-five years. David left Cardiff University with a degree in statistics before going on to work with the probation service in London. He qualified as a Probation Officer in 1979. Since then he has developed programmes in outward bound, employment, life skills and embedding basic skills into motor vehicle studies. He has over twenty-five years' experience of working with organisations such as the Local Education Authority, local constabulary, European Social Fund, Learning & Skills Council, local employers, the European Secure Vehicle Alliance (ESVA) and a range of Charitable Trusts. David was closely involved in the development of the Avon Motor Project which started in 1984 until it closed in 1991. He was asked by the Probation Service to develop a new project from scratch which became The Wheels Project in 1993. In July 2005 David was awarded the Level 4 teaching qualification in Numeracy.
Linda Summers (Project Administrator)
Linda is an experienced PA having worked for many years in industry before joining the charity sector. After gaining her 'A' levels she attended the Rolls-Royce Technical College where she completed a 'fast track' Private Secretary's course. She was appointed PA to the Chief Test Pilot of Rolls-Royce in 1971. After several years bringing up her three children, doing voluntary work and occasional temping, Linda returned to work as PA to the Directors of a Quantity Surveying company and then, in 1997, she joined The Wheels Project. She is highly skilled and experienced in all aspects of administration and finance and, as the Project Administrator, is responsible for the Project's office management and finance.
Richard Twentyman (Workshop Manager, Deputy)
Richard has been with the Project since it re opened in 1992 following a career in the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME) and motor industry. He was responsible for the setting up of the workshop space. He has ensured that not only does the Project have excellent mechanical facilities, but that they are operated to the highest standards of health and safety and have an enviable safety record. Richard is involved in the direct delivery of motor vehicle training to learners and qualified as an NVQ Assessor and Internal Verifier in 1999. Richard has also had responsibility for the supervision of work placements for post 16 learners and building links with employers in the area.
Jerry White (Workshop Supervisor)
Jerry returned to The Wheels Project on a full time basis in September 2008 having previously worked with us part time during 2005-06. On leaving school he completed a City & Guilds Mechanics' Apprenticeship and has worked in the garage business for over 30 years. He ran his own garage carrying out car repairs and MOTs for 10 years during which time he managed and trained staff, including apprentices. Since joining Wheels he has completed his City & Guilds Level 3 Teaching Certificate and has recently passed DAS Modules 1 and 2 motorcycle training.
Jerry Farrance (Workshop Supervisor - part-time)
After several years in the motor trade, Jerry started at the Project as a volunteer working on the Junior Wheels courses. In 1994 he joined the full time staff as workshop supervisor and worked on both senior and junior courses. In 1999 Jerry left to work for City of Bristol College in their motor vehicle studies department but stayed on as a part time Workshop Supervisor. He worked closely with Gordon Webb on the development of the OCR accredited motor vehicle studies programmes. He was recently awarded the Certificate in Supervisory Skills, Level 4.
Adrian Cowles (Workshop Supervisor - part-time)
Adrian has been delivering courses at The Wheels Project, on a part-time basis, since 1994. He was also a part-time lecturer at the City of Bristol College. He is an experienced mechanic who has been running his own garage business for many years.
Martin Withers (Volunteer)
Martin is an ex Avon and Somerset Contabulary Police Officer and has been involved in the delivery of programmes at The Wheels Project since 1994, specialising in the cognitive development of our students around crime prevention, road safety and key skills.