Mat Chapman

Mat Chapman

Managing Director
A highly experienced Managing Director with an illustrious career spanning over 40 years, with specific experience across the passenger transport, apprenticeship training and Further Education sectors. Well-versed in implementing strategies for achieving revenue growth, leading large-scale projects and streamlining complex operations for maximum levels of return on investment. Mat is passionate about supporting young people in their chosen careers and has created a safe, inclusive, innovative and positive learning environment.
Mat has a wealth of business exposure, possesses a multi-faceted skillset crossing business development and apprenticeship training and development, financial and commercial. Mat thrives in challenging environments and was one of the leading contributors to the Development Fund Limited delivering over 9000 qualifications in the past 10 years.
Sam Chapman

Sam Chapman

Chief Executive Officer
Sam is an empowering, accomplished Business Leader & Executive Board Member, with a unique combination of operational, commercial, apprenticeship and adult training leadership skills. He has a verifiable track record of success in a range of challenging PLC and SME environments. Sam has demonstrable ability in devising strategic roadmaps, business transformation programmes and people strategies to upskill the workforce. He strives to embed a safe and positive culture.
Sam has 40 years experience in the passenger transport sector and demonstrates high executive impact, combining strategic vision, tactical team leadership and a broad portfolio of other invaluable skills.
Steve Holton

Steve Holton

Commercial Director
A highly accomplished Commercial Director, offering strong sales, operational, commercial and business transformational skills. Operating at a senior level across apprenticeship and Further Education provision, with specific expertise in the Automotive, Information Technology and Passenger Transport sectors. An illustrious career spanning over two decades delivering consistent growth by maximising opportunities.
Steve demonstrates high levels of business acumen, conducting detailed evaluations and research to facilitate entry into new market territories, attaining new £multi-million contracts with industry leading organisations including Balfour Beatty, Bouygues, Kier, Laing O’Rourke, BAM Nuttall, Morgan Sindall, Skanska, Tarmac, Alston, Siemens, Hitachi, Atkins, Jacobs, Arcadis, to name but a few. A confident leader who empowers teams to optimise performance. Supporting client engagement by nurturing key influential relationships, utilising his wealth of knowledge on sales and marketing strategies.
Lorraine Hancock

Lorraine Hancock

Human Resources & Finance Manager
Lorraine is a highly conscientious finance and HR professional who has 35 years of experience. Lorraine has been a part of the Development Fund team for five years and during that time she has become highly skilled at supporting apprentices and adult learners. Lorraine is the Lead Safeguarding Officer for TDF.
Sally Smith

Sally Smith

Quality Manager
A passionate training and development professional specialising in funded learning programmes. Experienced in apprenticeship design, delivery and quality processes. Sally also has a full understanding of the compliance requirements for funded learning provision in Passenger Transport, Engineering, Customer Services, Team Leading and the Travel Consultant Sectors.
Sally fully understands the Apprenticeship Levy systems and processes, having gained valuable experience when part of a Trailblazer Industry Group developing the Passenger Transport Standards. She is accomplished in leading, motivating, managing, and training the Qualified Trainer Team across England to deliver all aspects of the apprenticeship programme.

Qualified Trainer team

UK wide

  • Qualified to assess national qualifications
  • Trainers are assigned to a group of learners and a specific programme
  • We always aim to fit the Trainer with the relevant background, knowledge and experience to the programme they are supporting
  • Trainers visit each learner monthly to assess learning and progress towards the qualification.