After growing up in Longwell Green, Bristol. Heather began her working life as a teacher working across primary and secondary schools including teaching PE at Bedminster Down School. She then went on to set up Lifetime Training, which, under her stewardship, became the largest apprenticeship and skills training provider in the UK. She further harnessed her passion for helping young people through leading the turnaround of another apprenticeship training business and providing coaching and mentoring to CEO’s of a number of businesses supporting young people. Heather was one of the founding Trustees of the Award Winning Coach Core charity and has undertaken a number of trustee / governance roles across Youth and Educational organisations.
Heather’s first-hand experience of setting up businesses with little support, led her to open Origin Workspace in 2019, a premium co-working, meeting and events space that provides support in a safe and collaborative environment. She saw Origin Workspace through a multi-million pound build project and sees this experience as invaluable to the development of the new 224 Youth Zone in South Bristol. Heather is a highly experienced Chair and non-exec director (NED) and trustee, holding 4 NED positions and three other trustee roles.
Following career success, Heather now focusses on charitable causes and supporting growing businesses across Bristol to give back to the city that has offered her so much. As well as her role at 224 Youth Zone, she is the founder and chair of The Origin Foundation which supports Bristol charities helping young people develop confidence, skills, and opportunities.