Executive Team

Chief Executive Officer - Yvonne Smithers

I joined LSN in January 2011, following a successful three years as Deputy Chief Executive at the ex-Services charity St Dunstan"s. Prior to St Dunstan"s, I enjoyed a 25 year career ranging from senior finance positions in retail, with roles at Brown Thomas, 7-Eleven and Equator Group, to becoming Director of Finance at Sony Signatures where I spent five years. My time at Sony saw me managing many international projects including the 1998 World Cup in France and the managed transfer of Licensing from LA to San Francisco.

I was born and educated in Ireland, am a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and I have expertise in change management, including restructuring of resources to achieve efficiency, growth and cultural change.

Director, LSDA/LSN International - Trevor Carson

I joined LSDA in 2003 where i was instrumental in successfully establishing LSDA Northern Ireland and have overseen its steady growth since May 2003. Prior to joining LSDA, I was based at Colleges NI for four years as Curriculum Development Officer. There I managed a range of curriculum development projects and other initiatives. Before joining ANIC, I taught at the Boys Model School in Belfast and the Belfast Institute for 18 years. I also spent three and a half years as Development Officer at the Belfast Education and Library Board.

Director, Organisational Development - Sarah Lane

I joined LSN in January 2004 and lead on organisational development and business integration. I have extensive experience of managing and delivering support and business change programmes within the education sector. I have been responsible for planning and delivering educational support programmes and the implementation of new initiatives into a wide range of education providers including secondary schools and post 16 providers.

With over 20 years experience of management and teaching in education, I have significant expertise in curriculum development, management and quality improvement having held a variety of posts at senior and executive levels in further education.

Director, Development Services, Cilla McKay

I am a highly experienced consultant with specialist skills in transformational leadership, engagement and communication. My philosophy is that continuing development of the effectiveness of all sales, service and leadership teams is a key factor in delivering success. My particular skill is in developing consultancy propositions to provide leadership, marketing and sales teams with the skills and direction needed to achieve defined business goals and to measure a very tangible return on investment.

I currently provide training and consultancy for both large corporate organisations and small specialist teams. This experience has been gained from the areas of financial services, commerce, public services and education. I see my skill as being able to gain a clear understanding of the client’s current position and then working in conjunction with internal targets and strategies to develop ongoing first class performance, cultural change and measurable results.

Director, Technology for Learning, Pete Bennett

An experienced trainer, consultant and speaker, I am a well-known figure in the field of e-learning and blended learning. With a background in organisational development and learning and development, I am one of few people in the field of e-development to be able to look at issues through the eyes of L&D or OD professionals when advising on e-strategy and implementation.

I formed Learning Resources International (LRI) in 1996 to focus specifically on self-development and learning consultancy and since then LRI established themselves as one of the UK’s leading independent providers of integrated e-development and blended learning solutions. In February 2010, LRI became part of LSN, changing their name to LSN LRI. LSN LRI solutions are currently used in 15 countries worldwide – from the UK and Europe, throughout the Middle East region and China to the Caribbean.

Interim Director, Finance and Resources, John Cappock

I joined LSN as Director of Finance and Resources in June 2011. I have responsibility for Finance, IT and Facilities. I previously spent six years as Director of Resources at the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), a Charity and Company limited by Guarantee wholly owned by the British Universities. I devised and delivered financial and resourcing strategies which put UCAS on a stable financial platform with the ability to invest in services and develop new products.

Prior to this I was Deputy Director of Finance at the University of the West of England, Bristol and have previously worked within Local Government and the NHS. I am a Trustee of Shape Housing Association, Bath and was a co-opted Board member of Soundwell College Bristol during its merger with City of Bristol College. I have had extensive experience as member and Chair of a number of Audit Committees.