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Darren Lowe
Managing Director and Trustee
Darren joined Tenet Education Services (TES) as a Procurement Officer in 2009 moving through the ranks to Managing Director by the time the company was purchased by CPC in 2017. He became Managing Director of the CPL Group in 2022 and is currently leading the organisation through the biggest period of growth in its 25-year history as well as the merger of TES into CPC. This will leave one remaining subsidiary, Tenet Procurement Services (TPS) which serves the wider public sector.
Darren is responsible for the strategic direction of the Group. He is the figurehead for the company spreading the word of the amazing work that the charity provides to the education sector. He acts as the Board sponsor for the Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) group and ensures that the Board of Trustees have the information they require to fulfil their duties and the right skills and competencies to drive the charity forward in a compliant and transparent manner.
He has over 30 years’ experience in procurement and finance across the Further Education and private sector and utilises this in the development of the management team within the Group.
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Dave Owen
Financial Controller and Deputy Managing Director
0161 974 0943
Dave has responsibility for ensuring CPC’s finance, governance, business support and colleague health and safety functions provide high-quality support to the rest of the Group. As the Company Secretary he ensures that the Group’s regulatory and statutory requirements are satisfied. He leads on the Group’s environmental and sustainability objectives and ensures we operate in compliance with the UK GDPR. He chairs our Giving Back Group which oversees the distribution of excess reserves back into the education sector via our members.
One of Dave’s key challenges is balancing the need for the long-term financial viability and stability of Group with risks posed by the Group’s strategic growth and development objectives.
Dave joined CPC in 2019 following 15 years in the housing sector and has previously worked in large fast-paced finance departments within the pharmaceutical, project management and consultancy service industries.
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Rana Holland
Head of Communications & Engagement
07990 763928
Rana is responsible for looking after our CPC community and ensuring that members, customers and suppliers are engaged with employees and each other in delivering our vision. As Head of Communications & Engagement she is responsible for the communications team, developing and promoting our brand to existing and potential customers and framework suppliers.
Within Rana’s remit of responsibility there are three separate teams. The communications team work on a wide range of marketing and publicity campaigns targeting both customers and suppliers. The IT & Web team ensure employees have the equipment and high-quality IT support required to operate in a dynamic and agile environment for the benefit of our customers. The Regional Procurement Advisor (RPA) team support our existing members and provides the framework for further research into procurement via the Regional and National Procurement Advisory Groups (PAGs) and Further Education Facilities Management Network (FEFM) who meet several times per year across the country.
Rana joined CPC in October 2022 following 28 years in the housing sector.
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Jane Davies
Head of People Development
0161 974 0944
Jane is the Head of People Development for CPC and joined the company in 2017 having previously worked in the education, retail, manufacturing and commercial sectors in a career spanning over 26 years.
Jane is responsible for looking after the biggest asset within CPC – our people. She ensures that we have a benefits and support package that attracts and retains the best talent. To meet an objective of the charity, which is to advance education, Jane oversees a comprehensive learning and development programme to further develop all our employees into being the best that they can be to deliver our vision.
This work is continued across our membership where Jane oversees the training arm of the charity which, under the Crescent Learning sub-brand provides up to date and relevant procurement training free of charge to all our members.
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Rachel Turner
Head of Procurement (North)
Rachel is Head of Procurement (North) and is responsible for leading the managed consultancy service in the North of the UK. This involves providing direction to the management team, business development and customer engagement.
Rachel also has responsibility for overseeing our On-demand consultancy service across the UK including a specialised catering tender service. Rachel provides support and direction to the Head of On Demand services. Rachel is the Group Leadership sponsor for Tenet Procurement Service (TPS) which services public sectors outside of education. Rachel’s remit is to provide strategic direction on the activities undertaken by the team.
Rachel joined CPC in 2017 when it purchased Tenet Education Services (TES) after having joined TES in 2015. Before then Rachel worked in the NHS and has over 20 years of experience in public sector procurement.
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Ray Wiffen
Head of Procurement (South)
Ray is Head of Procurement (South) and is responsible for leading the managed consultancy service in the South of the UK. This involves providing direction to the management team, business development and customer engagement.
Ray also has responsibility for our Contracting Team who produce and/or manage over 80 compliant frameworks for free access by CPC members. This team is based at our Head Office in Salford.
Ray joined CPC in 2017 when it purchased Tenet Education Services (TES) after having joined TES in June 2012. Before then he worked in the NHS and has over 30 years of experience in public sector procurement.
