We are delighted to announce that our head of PR, marketing and communications, Kirsten Donkin, has joined the advisory board for the Tees Valley Logistics Academy (TVLA).
A keen supporter of the training organisation, Kirsten has been involved since its inception in 2015, as the company was one of the key partners which helped to set up and manage the Academy.
Passionate about nurturing talent and addressing the skills shortage across the logistics sector, Kirsten is now looking forward to getting involved at a local level.
She will bring her marketing expertise and skills in building brand values to further develop the Academy, taking a leading role in mentoring and master class delivery, as well as helping to provide a more gender-balanced board.
Kirsten’s experience as a trustee in charge of PR and marketing with the High Tide Foundation – a charity aimed at raising aspirations for young people in Tees Valley – will certainly benefit her new role at the Academy.
She said: “I see it as a personal and professional duty to raise the profile of a largely invisible industry both amongst young people and those of more established years. The maritime and logistics sectors are crucial to the UK economy and we need to ensure we match skills with opportunities here in the Tees Valley. It is essential we serve people well and ensure investment in building skills and furthering education and personal development is well spent.
“Our ability to trade on a global platform is becoming ever more important and having the right talent with the right skills in the industry will prove crucial to how well we play out our role as a trading nation.
“Organisations and programmes such as the Tees Valley Logistics Academy unlock opportunities, match education with employment and act as a guide to support people towards what can be a very exciting and progressive career path they don’t necessarily know exists.”
Michael Duffy, Head of Construction and Professional Services, said: “Having Kirsten on board is fabulous – she has always been supportive of what Stockton Riverside College is doing with the Tees Valley Logistics Academy.
“Kirsten will bring a new dynamic to the local advisory board, her marketing expertise and contacts – along with her wealth of experience in the sector – will ensure that we are on the front foot in terms of understanding the logistics sector across the Tees Valley.
“I’m certain that Kirsten will make an invaluable contribution as we continue to raise the profile of the sector with young people, the wider public and support employers with their training needs. I’m delighted that she has agreed to join us.”
