Member Article

Profound Group appoints new CEO

ONE of the country’s leading training and apprenticeship providers has appointed a new man at the helm to take the business forward. Profound Group has recruited Paul Champion as its first ever Chief Executive.

Paul will work alongside founder and Managing Director Steven Ward to put in place a long-term strategy that will meet the needs of businesses and help address the skills gap which currently exists in the North East.

Paul said: “I am delighted to be joining Profound Group. It’s an exciting time for the company as we look to adapt and improve our offering to ensure we are responsive to the needs of businesses.

“It’s no longer acceptable to be reactive to service delivery. We need to review the priorities of our existing and potential clients and put in place a structure which will enable us to provide businesses with the services they need to grow.

“Steven and his sons have done a fantastic job in taking the business from an SME which was essentially started in a back bedroom, to the multi million pound turnover model it is today. My job is to work with them to take Profound Group to the next level.”

Paul, 51, began his career as an engineering apprentice, before running his own business. He has also worked as sports assessor and a national further education consultant, before being appointed Assistant Principal at Chesterfield College, where he was responsible for the delivery of a £19.3m European Social Fund project and work-based learning programme.

After two years in the role Paul was ready to return to the North East and after meeting with Steven to discuss opportunities, he was offered the newly created Chief Executive’s position with Profound.

Steven Ward said: “Paul’s experience and expertise will be invaluable to Profound Group as we look to implement a corporate strategy that will ensure our continued growth over the next three to five years. “

Paul is from South Shields but now lives in Gateshead with his wife Karen and whippet Lolly.

He added: “I see this as a fantastic opportunity for me to do something worthwhile, a job that can become my legacy almost. Yes, I want to make the business more successful, more profitable, but equally it’s important to keep the family values that have made Profound the business it is.”

Profound Group is based at Bracken Hill Business Park in Peterlee and delivers apprenticeships, work-based learning opportunities, job focused employability programmes and careers education and guidance for schools nationwide.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Leanne English .