Meet the WEC Engineering Academy Team

Our experienced Engineering Academy team are dedicated to providing the highest quality training experiences for all of our apprentices and students. WEC Engineering Academy is the UK's first Centre of Welding Excellence and our team are comitted to promoting and encouraging excellence in all aspects of our apprentices practices.

Get yourself familiar with our Academy staff below!


  • Steve Hartley WEC Group Managing Director and Head of Board of Governors Steve is WEC Group's Managing Director and WEC Engineering Academy's Head of Board of Governors. Facebook
  • Kris Mercer Academy Manager and Master Welding Instructor Kris is WEC Engineering Academy Manager and also a qualified Master Welding Instructor. Linkedin
  • Chris Dickinson Apprenticeship Programme Leader Chris is our Apprenticeship Programme Leader and is also a qualified Master Welding Instructor. Linkedin
  • Philip Hosey Master Welding Instructor Phil is a former welding & fabrication apprentice and is now a qualified Master Welding Instructor. Facebook
  • Jason Reynolds AWeldi/TechWeldi MTL Master Welding Instructor Jason is our MTL Advanced's Master Welding Instructor based at their in-house academy. Linkedin
  • Dean Duffy Designated Safeguarding Lead Dean is WEC Engineering Academy's Designated Safeguarding Lead and is based at our HQ in Darwen, Lancashire. Linkedin
  • Gemma Kennedy WEC Group HR Manager and Mental Health First Aider Gemma is WEC Group's HR Manager and Mental Health First Aider. Gemma is based at our HQ in Darwen, Lancashire. Linkedin
  • Natasha Wake-Smith MTL Recruitment Officer Natasha is MTL Advanced's Recruitment Officer based in Brinsworth, South Yorkshire. Linkedin
  • Danielle Sharratt WEC Engineering Academy Receptionist Danielle is WEC Engineering Academy's Receptionist. Facebook