Chief Executive: Joanna Woolf

Strategic Planning :  CEO and appropriate members of the other teams for each project/issue.

Engaging with Employers :  John Holton Strategic Development Director, leads the team working with employers across the sector to identify skills needs and deliver solutions.

Employer Engagement Team members: Rob Bevan, John Haddon, Brian Manning, Bill Erskine, Liz Johnson, Peter Gent, Walter Williamson, Mark Chapman, Mike Lynham,  Projects and funding co-ordinator Melanie Welch.

Research and  Policy Team: Led by Liz Rooney : providing general advice and information for both internal and external customers on issues such as Labour Market Information, Careers, support to SMEs, and ESF Funding guidance. 

Warrington Based R&P  staff: Lauren Sadler, Dawn Hillier.

Aberdeen based R&P staff:   Carol Sinclair, Angela Murison.  

Educations and Qualifications Director:  James Murdock.

Stakeholder Relationship Director: Jaine Chisholm-Caunt.

Communications and Marketing Director: Mervin Dadd: Mervin Dadd, Judith Cowan, (Communications Manager), Susan Smart, (Careers and Attraction),  Kate Amos, (Communications and Database Manager). Steve Roberts, IT Manager

Business Support: Company Secretary, Jacki Day: providing support to the other teams (including OPTIO/CSSL* - see below),  and working on all aspects of running the business.

HR: Tracy Marsden and team leaders.

Accounts: Kerry-Lynn Smith Rhonda Stevenson.

Following new appointments, a revised  organisation diagram will  be posted as soon as possible.

In the meantime,  if you require any details, please call 01925515210.

The Cogent Board of Directors

Following new appointments to the Cogent Board, a revised chart will be posted soon. In the meantime, if you require details of the Board please call 01925515210

OPITO and Cogent Sector Services Ltd*

In 2005, Cogent SSC formed a subsidiary company - Cogent Sector Services Ltd to deliver its Products and Services to its sector industries.

In 2006, the CSSL  Board agreed to focus  wholly  on the provision of products and services to the Upstream industry in the UK and overseas, and to commence trading under  its widely recognised and valued OPITO brand.  click here  www.OPITO.net

CSSL, based at Minerva House in Portlethen,  will remain a subsidiary of Cogent SSC Ltd and a member of the Cogent group of companies. This move to trade under the OPITO brand  is a natural progression that builds on the  high recognition factor and strong customer base in the UK and its  strong position in the global oil and gas market where it currently  trades in 17 countries.

OPITO is not-for-profit, industry owned organisation that exists to deliver innovative skills solutions for employers. We will assist the oil and gas extraction industry to develop a workforce of  the appropriate size and capability to meet business demands through safe working practices and sustain the offshore industry in the long term.

OPITO is chaired by Malcolm Webb, Chief Executive of the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association, (UKOOA). The OPITO board has representation from the major offshore industry trade associations and trade unions:

·                     UKOOA

·                     Inter Union Offshore Oil Liaison Committee (IUOOC)

·                     The Offshore Contractor Association (OCA)

·                     International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC- North Sea Chapter)

·                     Well Service Contractor Association (WSCA)

OPITO is led by Chief Executive David Doig with a background in  upstream industry and workforce capacity and skills issues.

“The real strength of  OPITO is its connectivity with the upstream industry  both in the United Kingdom and overseas” By listening to our industry employers we have developed a clear understanding of the Emergency Response and Technical skills needed in the workplace now, and those anticipated for the future."

"By collaborating with all stakeholders we can ensure that the OPITO standards reflect the needs of our industry’s employers."

"This unique and much valued relationship also enables OPITO to target its resources and provide cost effective ,  values and focused skills solutions."