Alex Mayes - Payroll Administrator Expand Alex joined us in September 2021 and brings payroll and accounts experience gained in a variety of sectors including manufacturing, local authority and accountancy practices. In her spare time, Alex enjoys holidays with her family (preferably somewhere sunny with good restaurants nearby, although her two boys love camping during thunderstorms!) playing tennis and watching a good film!
Becky Watanabe - Early Years Manager & Trainer/Consultant Expand Becky Becky is both an Early Years Manager and a very popular early years training and consultant. Having previously worked at one of Acorn's nurseries, we were delighted to welcome Becky back to Acorn in 2017 after several years working as a childminder and trainer/consultant. As well as supporting Acorn's nurseries and being one of Acorn's Mental Health First Aiders, Becky devises and delivers Early Years training courses across the country, and supports local settings to continually improve their early years provision. With over 5 years’ experience delivering training nationwide, Becky has a wealth of knowledge to share. If you would like an informal chat about how Becky can support your setting please get in touch.
Debra Murr - Office Coordinator Expand Debra Debra is our Office Co Ordinator and is based at the office in Castlethorpe. Debra joined Acorn in December 2019 as the Nursery Administrator at our Jubilee Wood nursery. Debra's previous role was at a retirement housing association, where she worked for 26 years as an Office Manager covering 4 offices in London, Bristol and Cambridgeshire. In her spare time, Debra enjoys travelling and visiting new places. She also enjoys spending time with her two lovely grandchildren.
Elaine Ludlow - Health & Safety Officer Expand Elaine is our Health and Safety Officer. She has worked in childcare for over 17 years and is qualified to Level 4 in Early Years. Elaine started working at Acorn in 2014 as a Practitioner at Burton Latimer, progressing to Senior Practitioner in the same year and then Deputy Manager from 2015 to 2021. From August 2020 to August 2021, Elaine has been a Health and Safety Officer on a part-time basis, working alongside Steve before moving across to CSO to take on the role full time from September 2021. Elaine has recently completed her IOSH Managing Safely qualification and will be undertaking additional Health and Safety qualifications to help extend her knowledge in Health and Safety.
Gabbie Brandon - Marketing Manager Expand Gabbie Gabbie joined our Acorn team in March 2018. She has over 15 years’ experience in strategic marketing and public relations, with a BA Hons in Marketing alongside her CIM qualification.Gabbie is responsible for all things Marketing across the nurseries, forest school and the training department. Gabbie works with Debra ensuring all social media platforms, website and marketing materials are managed and Acorn’s marketing strategy is executed to plan!
Ian Cleary - Facilities Assistant Expand Ian Ian is our Facilities Assistant - working alongside Steve - Acorn's Facilities and H&S Manager. With a background in engineering, painting and decorating, Ian has a passion for maintaining and keeping our settings running smoothly and safely.
Jo Graham - Finance Expand Jo Jo has worked at Acorn for 15 years within our accounts department. In her spare time Jo and her family can be found enjoying the great outdoors, including cycling and camping.
Laura Andrews - Senior Early Years Manager Expand Laura Laura is our Senior Early Years Manager and oversees the management of our Early Years Team. Since joining in 2013 Laura has completed her Masters in Early Education through the Centre for Research in Early Childhood. Her experience in management and Early Years continues to serve us all well. In her spare time Laura enjoys to work off some steam in the boxing ring…so beware!
Mark Carter - Chief Operating Officer Expand Mark Mark joined Acorn Early Years in July 2022 with a wide and varied career history. Holding a Degree in Chemistry then went into Land Buying and Project Management for National House Builders before moving into the affordable housing sector where I led a variety of departments in Asset Management and Maintenance, IT, Commercial Operations and Care and Support (providing Learning Disability, Mental Health and Homelessness support services). My role at Acorn Early Years is to ensure that the organisation has the right systems and processes to operate efficiently and effectively across all areas of the organisation to maximise its social impact. In my spare time I play Badminton, Squash and Table Tennis and enjoy Open Water Swimming. I live in Whaddon village and write, act and sing in the annual Whaddon Show and runs the Great Whaddon Bulb Planting Society which to date has planted over 6000 daffodils in the verges around Whaddon.
Nathan Barrington - HR Advisor Expand Nathan Nathan joined our team in February 2019. Nathan has extensive experience working within the HR sector and has spent a number of years working within compliance and recruitment. Nathan will be working with Sue on the Acorn HR strategy and looking to grow and develop the function for all employees. Nathan is a keen sports fan who keeps fit with running and cycling, he also enjoys spending time with his young family.
Neave Taylor - Training & Development Manager Expand Neave Neave is our Training and Development Manager and oversees all development and learning needs for Acorn employees. Neave ensures that the team feel fully supported throughout their journeys within Acorn by tailoring individual professional development across the organisation. Neave has a degree in Early Childhood Studies and has worked in the childcare sector for 6 years. Most recently, Neave has worked as a Nursery Manager and has a great understanding of what it’s like to work within a nursery setting.
Sam - Facilities Officer Expand I am a new member to the Acorn team from January 2022 and I will be the new Facilities Officer. I have over 4 years experience in plumbing and heating as well as a further year in multiple trades in building and construction. In my spare time I enjoy activities such as football, keeping myself fit by going to the gym and I also enjoy socialising with my friends.
Santa Svike - Monitoring & Evaluation Officer Expand Santa has joined us on a one-year placement through Charityworks as a Monitoring & Evaluation Officer. Her role involves working closely with Alex in supporting with data analysis and measuring the performance and social impact of Acorn. Santa has a Sociology degree from the University of Warwick and spends a lot of her spare time with her two younger nephews.
Steve Petty - Facilities and Health & Safety Manager Expand Steve Steve is responsible for Health and Safety plus Facilities for the Acorn group. He started as a BT engineer and progressed into service management for BTs finance systems. From there Steve jumped into education, first as a Network Manager and Governor and then School Business manager. After 14 years in education it was time for a change and he joined the Powell-Cotton Museum on the south east coast as the Head of Operations. Steve relocated to Northampton to be closer to family and joined the Acorn Early Years Foundation in March 2019.
Sue Fenton - HR Manager Expand Sue is responsible for leading Acorn’s HR initiatives and ensuring the function runs smoothly. Sue is MCIPD qualified and has a wealth of experience in HR, including in education, insurance and highways. Her first experience in education was as an HR Manager in a newly formed Academy Trust and has also worked in a further education college. Her experience will ensure Acorn’s people strategy is in line with the future needs of the organisation. At the weekend, Sue enjoys walking with like-minded friends across the Beds or Bucks countryside, which normally ends with much needed refreshment in a local pub.
Teresa Gardner - Finance Manager Expand Teresa The very first member of the Acorn CSO team, Teresa started at Acorn over 20 years ago, when she shared an office with the Shenley nursery staff team, so she has certainly seen a lot of changes! Teresa heads up the finance department, working alongside Jo.
Zoe Raven - CEO Expand Zoe Not quite the oldest member of the team, but the longest serving! Zoe started Acorn in 1989 when she opened the first nursery in Castlethorpe and lived upstairs with her family. She is passionate about retaining a personal touch in the organisation, and is determined to manage Acorn’s growth without it becoming bureaucratic, and also for Acorn to lead the sector in being a learning organisation. Alongside her role as CEO Zoe is undertaking a PhD on how social enterprises can provide affordable, high quality childcare that is accessible to all.