About Us

Across the UK, Aptem is delighting training and employability providers, universities, colleges, tutors, assessors, employers and, most importantly, learners and jobseekers.

What we do

Aptem specialises in developing pioneering technology solutions for the vocational training, further education and employment services sectors. Aptem products are developed by MWS Technology Ltd.

Awards & Accreditations

Our commitment to quality has been recognised time and again by our customers, award wins, ISO 9001, ISO 27001, and Cyber Essentials Plus certifications.

Our mission is to create innovations that unleash new levels of efficiency, productivity and personal growth.

Our values

Meet the team

Our team brings together an expert, approachable team who understand training providers, learners and industry wide trends.

Management

Founder & Chief Executive

Richard Alberg

Richard founded and led the pioneering online assessment company Psychometric Services Ltd (PSL). PSL was purchased in November 2006 by Kenexa, a NASDAQ HR solutions provider that was in turn acquired by IBM. Richard is chair of Launchpad Recruits and until recently chaired the board of North Hertfordshire College, an international educational institution. Richard is also co-founder of Corndel, a fast growing apprenticeship training provider. He is the driving force behind Aptem’s growth.

Founder & Chief Technology Officer

John Brightwell

John’s career includes many years as owner/manager of an enterprise level bespoke software development company. During this time John developed systems for industries as diverse as online insurance, change management, medical device regulation and conveyancing management. John’s experience, technical knowledge and business analysis skills have been fundamental to Aptem’s development.

Chief Operating Officer

Christine Weddell

Christine joined Aptem in 2020. She is a chartered accountant and has extensive experience in process improvement and providing outstanding client service. Christine spent 10 years at PwC and prior to Aptem worked at a high growth technology start up leading the implementation function and client onboarding process. Christine is responsible for overseeing all business operations at Aptem.

Finance Director

Sarah Owens

Sarah joined Aptem in 2018. She is a chartered accountant and has extensive experience managing the finances of organisations in both educational and technology sectors, including VC-backed start-ups. Sarah heads our finance team and is also the company secretary. With a PhD in organisational psychology and previous HR management experience, Sarah is also responsible for HR issues.

Sales Director

David Devine

David joined Aptem in 2018, bringing with him a wealth of experience, leading business development teams in large corporates and startups selling HR technology. In addition, David has over 10 years working in professional bodies implementing Frameworks and Standards in large multinationals and central government.

ITP Product Director

Shaun Elliott

Shaun joined Aptem in 2020, bringing with him 20 years of experience in the world of apprenticeships, work-based learning and software implementation. Having worked at a senior level within several leading training providers and software houses, Shaun is now working to ensure Aptem stays ahead of the curve and responsive to industry trends.

Higher Education Product Director

Steve Dewhurst

Steve joined MWS in 2020. He is a strategic business consultant specialising in Higher Education, having worked in roles including Director of Strategic Planning, Funding and Development and Director of Apprenticeships during a 23-year career at Buckinghamshire New University, and most recently as an independent HE Consultant, Steve is responsible for working with our Higher Education Clients to guide our future product development.

Marketing Director

Isla Lightfoot

Isla joined Aptem in 2020, having previously consulted for brands including Nissan, Diageo, and HSBC. She developed and executed the marketing strategy for the largest change programme at Barclays, worked with Worldpay to set up their communications function and deliver their rebrand, and most recently set up the marketing function and rebranded Corndel. Isla holds a post-graduate with Distinction in Digital Marketing and is a member of the IDM. She is responsible for oversight and delivery of all marketing activities.

Board Members

Paul Mullins OBE

Paul joined our board in 2018 and is our non-executive chairman. Paul has been a mergers and acquisitions adviser for 25 years at Schroders, Citigroup, Bank of America and DC Advisory. Paul was chairman of the Education and Training Foundation, the national professional development body for Further Education and Training supported by the Department for Education from 2013 to 2019 and has also chaired boards for BEIS and DfE. In addition to MWS, Paul is chairman of The Unilink Group, supplying expert secure environment systems used in prisons and other justice facilities. Paul received an OBE in 2017 for services to business and industry.

Shane Gallwey

Shane joined our board in 2018. Shane set up the EIS funds at Guinness Asset Management in 2010. Since then the team has invested over £120 million into EIS businesses. He was previously a director at Northland Capital Partners, where his focus was on advising growth companies. Prior to that, Shane worked in corporate finance at HSBC Investment Bank. He is a CFA Charterholder.

Michael Jackson

Michael joined our board in 2018. Michael founded Elderstreet Investments Limited in 1990 and is its executive chairman and director of several companies Elderstreet has invested in. For the past 24 years, he has specialised in raising finance and investing in the smaller companies quoted and unquoted sector. Michael has also been chairman of two FTSE 100 companies.

Julian Pickstone

Julian joined our board in 2018. Julian has developed the social impact investment business at Triple Point over the last three years. He established the first Social Investment funding provided by a mainstream fund manager that qualified for Social Investment Tax Relief (SITR) and has led Triple Point’s work on social impact evaluation and the Social Impact Bond market. He worked for 17 years with UBS Investment Bank, latterly as a Managing Director and Head of Research for Asia.

Want to find out more?

Learn how Aptem can help you. Schedule a live demo with our friendly team at your convenience.