about us and our electricAL courses

Redford Charles Ltd was started in 2004 by Graham Wretham, working out of local leisure centres and such like, before moving to our current location in 2006.  This November we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of our growing business.

We pride ourselves on our ability to teach electricians by providing a thorough understanding of the topics and ensuring the highest levels of technical competence; whereas some of our competitors choose to focus on exam success only. The feedback that we receive from electricians across Kent and the repeat business that we see from those who have attended our courses gives us confidence that the vast knowledge and experience of our team makes us unique. 

Meet the Redford Charles team below, comprising of office based personnel, as well as sub-contracting lecturers. 

 

Graham Wretham

Graham Wretham

Managing Director

Graham has a wealth of experience in the assessment of technical competence of electrical contractors. Previously the local NICEIC Inspecting Engineer for Kent. Graham was responsible for the assessment of the work and resources of businesses on the Council’s roll of Approved Contractors to ensure compliance with the IEE Wiring Regulations and relevant British Standards and Codes of Practice. Graham was also Operations Director of the Assessment Services Division of the NICEIC, where he was directly responsible for over 70 Field Engineers.

Graham was the NICEIC’s representative on various external and international technical panels, where he had responsibility for the Inspection and Testing requirements for electrical installations.

Lisa O'Keeffe

Lisa O'Keeffe

Centre Manager

As our Centre Manager since 2008, Lisa is responsible for all course administration, exam enrolments, exam invigilation and liaison with certification bodies such as City & Guilds and EAL.  Also maintaining the day to day finance, course marketing and the general running of our busy training centre.  Lisa has aided the development of new courses over the years, ensuring that we keep up to date with industry needs and requirements.

Prior to working for Redford Charles Ltd, Lisa was employed by the Kent Messenger Group for 23 years. Initially being taken on as a receptionist at 16 then progressed to Senior Receptionist overseeing four offices before becoming PA to the Advertising Manager for North Kent, looking after 100+ employees.  After a short maternity break Lisa returned to the KM, but this time within the Ad Studio department designing advertisements within the groups publications.

 

Derek Spurgeon

Derek Spurgeon

Training Provider and Consultant

Derek has extensive experience in the training of electrical personnel at all levels, having provided training in electrical principles and sciences, as well as craft theory for many years within local education establishments.

Derek has a wealth of experience in the electrical industry as Contracts Manager for Building and Property companies, together with Senior Engineering positions, in particular for Building Management Systems and Controls.

He has been with Redford Charles Ltd since 2008, where his knowledge, and his ability to pass on that knowledge, has produced outstanding success rates for delegates across a wide variety of electrical qualifications.

James Deans

James Deans

Training Provider and Consultant

James joined Redford Charles Ltd in January 2018 and brings with him a wealth of experience in the electrical industry as Senior Lecturer, Assessor, Internal Verifier and City & Guilds Examiner. 

James’ career started as an apprentice electrical fitter in generation and moved on to inspection and testing and project management, of which he has vast experience, plus the development of product design.  James moved into the electrical training industry, having been Senior Lecturer and Assessor for a number of large leading training providers.  In James’ last post he has been the Senior Lecturer with responsibilities for Quality Assurance and Internal Verification.  He is also involved with the development and implementation of a number of new City & Guilds qualifications, including the latest City & Guilds 2391 Inspection and Testing suite of qualifications.

James’ experience in all electrical training matters, is likely to provide a whole new range of courses and qualifications available at Redford Charles Ltd.

Alan Charlton

Alan Charlton

Training Provider & Consultant

Alan has over 40 years’ experience within the electrical industry which commenced as an apprentice electrician for an Area Electricity Supply Company. His time spent at this organisation covered all aspects of the electrical industry from generation, transmission and distribution which culminated in the positions of Contracting Electrical Engineer and Area Manager of the metering section.

Alan decided to pursue a career in training and assessments which initially started as a college lecturer for all electrical courses including BTEC and then moving to the NICEIC as an area Engineer progressing to Head of Training and Consultancy before deciding to become a Training and Consulting Engineer for various businesses within the Electrical Industry.

Scott Harris

Scott Harris

Training Provider and Consultant

Scott has over 20 years’ experience within the electrical industry, having served an electrical apprenticeship.  He has been running his own electrical contracting business for many years and continues to do so alongside providing lectures for us.

His company has been responsible for commercial and industrial installations and also specialises in periodic inspections.  Scott has now bought his vast contracting experience into our training company.

GEMMA SEYMOUR

GEMMA SEYMOUR

Marketing Manager

Gemma joined Redford Charles Ltd in October 2022 as our new Marketing Manager and is responsible for maintaining our social media accounts and ensuring our website information is always up to date.  Gemma will also cover some office duties, so you may well hear from her from time to time.

Before joining Redford Charles, Gemma previously worked for HM Land Registry within their Head Office Finance team.  Starting in Budgeting and Monitoring, Gemma was promoted to join a Systems Administration team, installing & administering a new ORACLE finance system and training users at Land Registry offices to use the new system and processes.

Taking voluntary redundancy in 2010 from the Land Registry due to an office move out of central London, Gemma then took a career break for a while to care for her then, 2 small children.

Returning to work in 2012, Gemma worked as a Business Administer for a local swim school for 10 years and helped to build the business to have just over 500 children and adult swimmers registered for lessons and generally being the connection between the swimmers and the teachers in the pool, whilst carrying out all administrative duties this entailed.

In 2017 Gemma also accepted a part time position with Popular Tyres Ltd, managing their invoicing and account administrative needs, a role that she continues to fulfil.

Training Venue:  Unit L2 Temple Court, Knight Road, Strood, Rochester, Kent ME2 2LT - 01634 711955