Sign up for our Youth Employment Conference
Sign up for the Youth Employment Conference being held on Tuesday, 3 June, 2025 at ARU Peterborough, University House, Bishop's Rd, Peterborough PE1 5BW.
You can also select who you would like to mentor you on the day (mentors will be allocated on a first come first served basis, and while we will try to place you with your chosen mentor we cannot guarantee it). Find out more about the jobs the mentors do and their skills an experience to help you to make up your mind.
The Mentors
Muhammed Changi, Peterborough Communities Team NCS Lead at Peterborough City Council
I managed the National Citizen Service programme, a national youth development programme for 16/17 year olds. This involved recruiting the young people from schools, colleges and youth groups. I would design the programme, recruit the seasonal staff, train the staff in collaboration with Cambridgeshire County Council and then oversee the delivery of the programme. We had over 2000 local young people take part over the last 10 years. I currently oversee the running of a local community centre where we have over 800 users a week and a refurbishment programme taking place. We balance the need to bring in income with making the centre accessible to the local community.
Find out more about Peterborough City Council
Kelly Wiggins, Team Leader at Central England Co-operative
Chloe Ward, Funeral Director at Central England Co-operative
My role is a diverse yet very rewarding one, where I am responsible for leading a small team and the day to day running of the funeral home. I am also responsible for conducting funerals and caring for families and their loved ones during a difficult time, ensuring all of their wishes are adhered to. An element of my role also includes ensuring the funeral home is compliant and adhering to the necessary policies, procedures and ways of working.
Find out more about Central England Co-operative
Michelle Dunger, Senior Recruitment Partner for the Anglian Group
The Anglian Group is a prominent national company with a variety of well-known brands. My role involves recruiting top talent for permanent positions across numerous departments, including Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Procurement, Legal, Finance and Accounts, Human Resources, Marketing, Information Technology, Sales, Apprenticeships, and Commercial roles.
I also oversee all recruitment-related social media activities for our brands, ensuring we effectively engage with potential candidates online.
With a keen eye for identifying exceptional talent and a strategic approach to recruitment, I am committed to building a strong and skilled workforce that drives our company's success. My team and I strive to find the best candidates who align with our company's values and goals, fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.
Find out more about the Anglian Group
Anthony Dawson, Employer and Partnership Manager at the Department of Work and Pensions
I have now worked for 15 years in the Civil Service working many roles including Work Coach, Job Club Leader and Employer Adviser. In my current role I lead across 2 sites in the area and have a team of 6. I work with councils, community programmes, employers and training providers.
Prior to the Civil Service I have been a manager in various industries. Fourteen years in the Travel industry, a few years with Insurance providers and a few years in Retail store management. In my personal life I work a self-employed business in my own time and during my younger years played professionally in Ice Hockey, which has been a passion of mine most of my life.
I value honesty and open communication, integrity and people who really care about what they do and show drive and determination. When I work with my teams and colleagues, I am an ambassador for self-development and autonomy within work.
I grew up in both Bretton and Millfield and really understand some of the issues our young people face in our city. I really identify with the feeling of not knowing what you want to do in your working life and career ahead. I didn’t have a clue and spent years juggling 5 part-time jobs around my sport just to gain experiences and skills.
Shaun Patterson, Recruitment Consultant at Manpower UK
Find out more about Manpower UK
Alex Hughes, Founder, Inspire 2 Ignite
I’m Alex Hughes, a disruptor and innovator passionate about building ecosystems that empower young people and drive socio-economic change.
As the founder and Chair of Inspire 2 Ignite CIC, my focus is on creating platforms where young people thrive. From unlocking individual potential to designing community-driven solutions, I’ve dedicated my journey to ensuring that the next generation has the tools, networks, and opportunities to lead with confidence.
I believe every young person has the power to shape the future. At Inspire 2 Ignite, we don’t just talk about possibilities—we actively create pathways for young people to explore their passions, grow their skills, and discover their purpose. Whether it’s through education, employment, or entrepreneurship, we are about turning potential into impact.
Collaboration and community are at the core of everything I do. I’ve spent years breaking down silos, connecting sectors, and building trust across businesses, charities, and local initiatives. Whether I’m working with the Green Jobs Foundation to redefine career opportunities in sustainability or leading the St Neots Initiative to revitalise communities, my focus is always on creating meaningful growth.
Find out more about Inspire to Ignite
Abbas Damani, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Millfield Autoparts
I work for a family-owned business that was founded by a refugee who fled a war-torn country in the 1970s. Since then, the company has grown significantly and now employs over 100 staff members. We’re proud to be a primary sponsor of several local sports teams and organisations, including Peterborough United, the Peterborough Ice Hockey Phantoms, FC Peterborough, and the Amir Khan Top Yard Boxing Gym. In my current role as Director of Marketing and Finance, I led the development of our new premises on Maskew Avenue, which gave me the opportunity to broaden my knowledge in the building and architecture sector. Outside of work, I actively volunteer at a sports club that brings together 200 Muslims every week to participate in various sports. I’ve also been involved with the FA, where I had the privilege of attending conferences at both Wembley Stadium and St George’s Park.
Find out more about Millfield Autoparts
Simon Langford, Operations Manager / Lead Analyst, Paydata
I have worked for 20 years in a number of HR roles. I joined Paydata in 2020 to lead the Data team. I help other businesses by advising them on pay and benefits, so they are an attractive employer to be recruited by and work for. To do this I use my knowledge in reward management and analyse data we collect from surveys we send to organisations. I meet with customer face to face, as well as writing detailed analytical reports.
Michelle Bellamy, Accounts Manager, Paydata
As an Account Manager within an HR consultancy company, I act as the primary point of contact for our clients, ensuring their HR needs are fully understood and effectively addressed through our services.
My role involves building and maintaining strong relationships with a portfolio of clients, identifying opportunities to support them with tailored HR solutions such as recruitment, employee relations, policy development, and compliance.
I collaborate closely with our internal data specialists to deliver high-quality, strategic support that aligns with each client’s needs/requests, while also overseeing delivery, and client satisfaction.
Ultimately, I ensure our clients receive consistent, value-driven HR/customer support that fosters long-term partnerships and business growth.
Raphael Frascogna, CEO of the Paul Canoville Foundation
Find out more about the Paul Canoville Foundation
Linda Taylor, All Age Careers Lead at the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
Emmanuel Ogbonna, Phd, Economic Growth Sector Champion - Energy & Cleantech at the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
Find out more about the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
Matt Jackson, Environ Group
Find out more about the Environ Group
Sarah Stones, Motivation Specialist, Plain Sailing Motivation
Motivation Specialist, Coach & Trainer who speaks about motivation. I don't believe anyone can stand up in front of an audience and motivate them. Other motivational speakers inspire their audiences. I give individuals the insight and tools to motivate themselves.
Find out more about Plain Sailing Motivation
Melissa-Jayne Prescott, Store Manager at Nandos
Find out more about careers with Nandos
Daisy Blackmore-Creedon - Fletton and Woodston Ward Councillor in Peterborough
Julie Marsh, Founder, HR Consultant and Coach, Apiary Solutions
After 20 years working across both public sector and corporate I created my own HR Consultancy and Coaching business which is based in Peterborough. I support SME's as an outsourced HR practitioner, as a consultant within their teams or as a leadership coach / trainer.
Find out more about Apiary Solutions