Locations

Matthew Thacker

Joined: 2020

Matt joined the Army at the age of 17 and was a member of the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh (RWF) for 9 years and reached the rank of Corporal. He served in many countries on tours Afghanistan, Falklands, Cyprus, Kenya, and India. His role in the Army was a section Commander, leading his men into battle, and he further completed many gruelling courses whilst in the Army SCBC, Reece Commanders course and Cambrian Patrol. IMatt considers himself lucky enough to also be a Military Co-Ordinator at MPCT Wrexham before he left the Army in 2014.

Matt joined MPCT in 2015 as the Centre Manager in Newport for 4 years where Ihe felt privileged to support many young learners to achieve their ambitions of joining the forces and many others to gain further education or employment.

He was promoted to the Regional Operations Manager South of England Region in 2019 and looks forward to continuing with his long-term career at MPCT.

Matt is currently developing his CPD and enrolled in a Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance.

A very keen sportsman, Matt’s favourite sport is football and supports Manchester United. He also loves the great outdoors where he spends most of my time. Matt considers himself a keen family man to his wife, Vicky, and his two children, Honey and Teddy.

Lee Winders

Joined 2014

Lee joined the Army in early 1990, beginning his career as a Signaller with 5th Regt RA in West Riding Barracks, Dortmund Germany, before becoming a Physical Training Instructor where he worked at the School of Artillery in Larkhill for 2 years, 121 Army Youth Team for 2 years and AFC Harrogate for 3 years.

In 2003 due to injury, Lee decided to leave the Army and travelled for a year before working for Fitness First for 8 years as a Fitness Manager and then as a Regional Fitness Manager. During this period Lee gained numerous qualifications including Advanced Personal Trainer Level 3, Advanced Instructor in Kettlebells and TRX, Olympic lifting and Nutrition.

In 2011 Lee retrained as a Trainer & Assessor and delivered Functional Skills Maths & English, NVQs and BTEC in Activity Leadership, Spectator Safety, Employability, Conflict Management, and Customer Services to 16-24 year Olds which helped them back into work and gain the valuable life skills that they require.

In 2014 Lee joined MPCT, Lee is responsible for managing the centre and supporting the regional operations manager Matthew. Lee is keen to pass on his knowledge and expertise gained from his Army and Civilian career to help young men and women pursue their ambitions to join the Armed Services, and make Gloucester one of the outstanding flagship centres for MPCT.

Lee is keen on most sports but he has a passion for CrossFit where he competes as regular as possible. Lee also likes wining/dining with his friends & family and outdoor activities.

"Working at MPCT allows me to engage with the student’s motivation, enthusiasm, education and assist with their progression into the Armed Forces."

~Lee Winders

Paul Brenton

Joined 2021

INTRODUCTION
Hi, my name is Paul I joined the British Army in Aug 89 and had the honour of serving for 31 years, whereby I discharge in May 21 and started with MPCT in Jun 21.

MILITARY SERVICE
I have deployed on Operations in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq, served in Canada, Germany, Hong Kong and around the UK and deployed on exercises to Belize, Kenya, Norway, Sardinia & the US.

MILITARY TRAINING
I have been employed as a Basic Training Instructor at ATR Winchester (99-01), a Senior and Junior CLM Instructor in Worthy Down (05-07) and the RCMO, RSM & Senior Trainer at the Defence College near Winchester (14-16).

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
I finish my two-year L7 Post Graduate Certificate of Education through Portsmouth University in January 2022 as well as being a qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist. Master Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) Coach and Time-based Techniques Practitioner.

CIVILIAN TEACHING EXPERIENCE
From Dec 19 to May 21, I volunteered as a lecturer at New College Swindon, delivering (BTEC) Business and (BTEC & HNC) Public Services. This has given me the passion and drive to enable transformation in my students.

TEACHING APPROACH
I adopt a flexible approach to teaching; it is a morph of Behaviourism and Cognitivism styles. I see myself as the facilitator, for me it is the student who transforms and the tutor who enables that process.

SPORT - OBSTACLE COURSE RACING (OCR)
I currently chair the unofficial British Army Obstacle Course Racing team (BAOCR) and compete as part of Team UK in the 45-49 Age cat.

My highlights have been both leading the BAOCR team and competing as part of the UK team at the following events:

2019 (Sparta) Spartan Trifecta World Championships
2016 (Toronto) & 2018 (London) OCR World Champs
2016 (Nijmegen) & 2018 (Poland) OCR Euro Champs

CHARITY WORK
Over my career I've planned, delivered and undertaken numerous fund raising challenges from completing two marathons in Ice Hockey kit, completing the arduous Tough Guy course in Helmet, Respirator and Body Armour, completing 100km challenge with a weighted vest and walked 30 miles barefoot with weight. Raising a career total of over £15,000 for many charities on social media and fund-raising platforms.

Joe Sewell

Joined 2021

I joined the Army in 2010 and served for 10 years in The Rifles, where I served two tours of Afghanistan, Herrick 15 with 9 Platoon C Company and Herrick 20/Toral 1 where I was attached to 7 Platoon B Company from, I Company for that tour. I have also served on overseas exercises to Kenya, Canada and The Falklands.

My biggest achievements in my career in the army are badging as a sniper and my time as an instructor at the Infantry Training Centre, especially watching my first platoon of Rifleman double off the parade square.

Since leaving the regular army I have joined the reserves, 6 Rifles based in Gloucester, where I am currently acting as the platoon sarjeant.

My hobbies include hill walking and camping, but my biggest hobby by far is riding my motorbike and touring on my bike.

Kirsten Taylor