Supporting the network
The East Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network is powered by people.
From apprentice ambassadors sharing their lived experience, to employers supporting and championing apprenticeships, EMAAN is built on collaboration, passion and a shared belief in the value of apprenticeships.
This page introduces the team and ambassadors who help shape the network, support activity across the region and ensure apprentice voices are heard.
Meet the Team
The EMAAN Executive team provides leadership, coordination and support for the network. Together, they help guide activity, support ambassadors and ensure EMAAN remains Apprentice led, inclusive and impactful.
Employer Chair - Charlotte Nicholls
The Employer Chair provides strategic leadership from an employer perspective. They help shape the direction of the network, represent employer interests, and support strong relationships between employers, apprentices and education.
I started out as a L3 HR apprentice back in 2019, joined EMAAN in 2020 and became the Apprentice chair in 2021. I gained a couple of promotions at my workplace, including ownership of The Council's apprenticeship programme.
From there, I stepped down as apprentice chair and continued to be involved in the network as an employer ambassador. In 2023 I became the Employer Chair.
I am a big advocate for apprenticeships and the impact they can have in a business. As of 2025 I have started my second apprenticeship in HR, this time at level 5.
Apprentice Chair - Charlie Gresswell
The Apprentice Chair provides strategic leadership from an Apprentice perspective. They represent the voice of apprentices across the network. They ensure apprentice perspectives are central to decision-making and support the development and confidence of ambassadors.
I completed a level 6 (degree) food technical apprenticeship in 2021, and have been part of the network for many years.
As someone who knew conventional full time university wasn't for me, I found the apprenticeship route to be a great alternative to allow me to continue further education.
I am passionate about sharing the benefits of apprenticeships and what my apprenticeship did for the start of my career. Being an ambassador and progressing into leadership has been so rewarding and I am lucky to have met some amazing apprentices who have helped shape the network into what it is today.
Apprentice Vice Chair - Olivia Scane
The Apprentice Vice Chair supports the Apprentice Chair and helps coordinate apprentice engagement across the network. They play a key role in supporting ambassador activity and ensuring apprentice voices are heard and valued.
I began my career as a Level 3 HR Support Apprentice at HM Land Registry. I then joined the East Midlands Ambassador Network and became Vice-Chair of the network in 2023.
Since then, I’ve progressed from HR Support Desk Adviser to Senior Recruitment Adviser and I’m currently completing my Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship.
Outside of work, I continue championing apprenticeships and early careers by documenting my personal journey on Instagram and TikTok @_myhrcareer.
Meet the Ambassador Team
The EMAAN ambassadors team support the running and organisation of the network with guidance from the EMAAN executive team.
Apprentice Champion - Iqra Jaffary
The Apprentice Champion supports ambassadors through check ins, social events and ad-hoc projects. Projects include the I.D.E.A Group which champions inclusive practice across EMAAN.
They help ensure activities, resources and engagement are accessible, representative and supportive of apprentices from all backgrounds.
I’m Iqra Jaffary - a paralegal and current Level 7 Solicitor Apprentice at Broxtowe Borough Council. Outside of my day job and current apprenticeship, I’m also an ambassador champion for East Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network.
Within the network I attend school and careers fairs as a volunteer.
I also lead on our I.D.E.A (Inclusivity, Diversity, Equality and Accessibility) subgroup where we work on spreading apprenticeship awareness in underrepresented communities.
SME Lead - Claire Indans
The SME Lead represents the needs and perspectives of small and medium-sized employers. They help ensure EMAAN activity is practical, relevant and accessible for employers of all sizes and helps facilitate our SME buddying processes.
Dr. Claire Indans is the Associate Director of Education at Deere Apprenticeships Ltd. Claire has worked within the education sector for 27 years and in this time, she worked in a variety of teaching and Management roles.
Claire is an Ambassador for EMAAN supporting SMEs. This role involves raising awareness about apprenticeships, informing SMEs about apprenticeship options and identifying where apprentices can progressively enhance business.
Claire achieved Doctor of Education in 2017, having previously gained a Masters Degree in Research, Education and Social Science (MRES) and a Masters Degree in Coaching & Mentoring.
Marketing Advisor - Zach Bennett
The Marketing Advisor supports EMAAN’s communications, visibility and storytelling.
They help amplify ambassador voices, promote activity and ensure messaging is clear, engaging and authentic.
I’m Zach, a Level 4 Marketing Executive Apprentice. I previously completed a Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketing apprenticeship, which prepared me to step into a Marketing Advisor role. When I’m not working on my apprenticeship, I help manage our social media channels and showcase how apprenticeships are a brilliant option and a great way to earn while you learn.
I was also a finalist in the Marketing category at the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards and create a monthly apprenticeship blog to share my journey and raise awareness of the opportunities apprenticeships can offer.
