Meet the Elevate Leadership Team

At Elevate, our team stands out for its depth of experience and qualifications across a wide range of sectors. We are proud to bring together expertise that spans formal and informal education, senior leadership, mental health and wellbeing, marketing and digital learning, as well as our work with children, young people and their families. Our team has extensive experience in higher education, further education and primary and secondary education, giving us a well-rounded perspective on assessment.

Our unique strength lies in our team's focus on assessment design, an area where we excel. Our team have assessed across levels 3 to 7 in a range of academic and apprenticeship programs and many of us have also taught on these programs. This blend of practical teaching experience and assessment expertise gives Elevate a distinct advantage in the end-point assessment space, allowing us to provide high-quality, meaningful assessments that truly reflect the apprentice's journey and achievements.

Founder and Managing Director

Melanie Feek

I’m Melanie the Founder and Managing Director of Elevate. With over two decades in the education sector, I’ve seen first-hand how transformative a well-designed learning experience can be. My background includes more than 15 years as a Senior Academic Professional in Higher Education, where I focused on designing assessment methods that don’t just test knowledge but help learners grow into confident professionals.

At Elevate, we see end-point assessment as more than just a requirement, it’s a chance to celebrate the journey apprentices have been on and help them take that final step into their chosen careers. I’m passionate about making sure every apprentice feels supported and ready for what’s next.

I also bring academic qualifications that reflect my commitment to education, including a Master's in Education, a Postgraduate Diploma in Youth and Community Work, and recognition as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). These experiences, along with years of work in community development within both the statutory and voluntary sectors, drive Elevate's mission to be a socially responsible organisation that genuinely cares about the apprentices and communities we serve.

Director of IQA

Lesley Taylor

I’m Lesley Director of IQA. Having spent 35 years in the education sector, 25 of those in senior leadership roles, my priority has always been leading by example and setting high personal and professional standards. My leadership responsibilities in schools spanned primary, secondary and Higher Education, including initial teacher training, governance and safeguarding.

Quality provision has always been my priority, whether it be in curriculum or assessment design, teaching and learning, or staff training and appraisal. And I have applied this to cross-organisational positions I have held at local and regional level, where I have worked with local government, training providers, employers and employer groups to improve opportunities for young people.

On retiring from teaching, I took on the role of Professional Programmes Lead for a higher education and apprenticeship training provider. There, I introduced apprenticeship provision and led the successful application to become an End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO). This experience has deepened my understanding of regulatory frameworks and compliance which is an integral part of apprenticeship provision; an understanding I look forward to using to the benefit of Elevate and the apprentices we assess.

Director of Marketing

Lisa Elliott

I’m Lisa, a Global Marketing Director with a passion for turning complex business strategies into powerful, engaging stories. With extensive experience spanning 25+ years in Australia and the UK, I’ve had the privilege of working with diverse firms, from employee-owned to listed and turnaround companies helping them achieve visibility and growth through data-driven marketing strategies.

My journey has been shaped by leading high-impact campaigns that connect people and purpose. I’m skilled in identifying industry trends and leveraging both digital and traditional marketing techniques to raise the profile of our people and deliver meaningful content that resonates with clients. I thrive in collaborative environments, partnering with C-suite executives and technical experts to bring strategic goals to life.

At my core, I’m committed to working with firms that aspire to greatness, combining analytical insights with a creative mindset to build strong, inclusive cultures that drive results. I believe in the power of storytelling to bridge gaps and inspire action, and I’m excited to bring that approach to Elevate's mission.

Director Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Dr Lisa Spencer

I'm Lisa and I've been really fortunate to have worked in a variety of education settings which have enabled me to practice my passion for transformative education and work within my values of care, equality and hope.

I spent the first part of my career working in youth and community settings as a qualified youth worker focussing on informal education practice. I then worked in higher education settings for 15 years, teaching on a variety of education and social science degree programmes. For my education doctorate I undertook research into higher education teaching practice.

In the last few years I have switched careers and I am now working in the trade union movement. I work for an education union which continues to enable me to focus on transformational change through activism and education.

I bring to Elevate a great deal of experience and knowledge of education policy and course design and assessment, as well as operational and strategic leadership, best practice in employment, and critical and anti- discriminatory ways of working.

Meet the Elevate Leadership Team

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