Sheldrake Training Team
Meet some of the Sheldrake team dedicated to supporting your business and helping you achieve your goals.
Governing Board
Steve Ellison
Chairman
Steve recently joined Sheldrake Training in 2025.
Ian Potter
Non Executive Director
Ian was the Chief Executive of the Gosport and Fareham Multi-Academy Trust. The GFM was the first local Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) in Hampshire, United Kingdom. Prior to its formation in 2017, he was the Headteacher of Bay House School, during which time all five Ofsted inspections judged the leadership to be outstanding.
Simon Upton
Non Executive Director
Simon has been involved with Sheldrake Training since its inception. As Operations Director of RACPD, he oversaw the establishment of Sheldrake as a trading subsidiary and served as its Chief of Operations during registration for apprenticeship delivery and EPA. After retiring from full-time work, he was appointed to the Board.
He spent 13 years with RACPD following a full Army career, including a tour as a commanding officer. His final military role involved overseeing training, education, and accreditation for Royal Artillery soldiers. Outside work, he also chaired a school’s finance committee and served as Chair of Governors.
Sheldrake Training Management Team
Lee Hunt
Chief Operating Officer
A seasoned Army veteran and educator, Lee rose to the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major before commissioning into the Royal Artillery, where he served as Regimental Careers Manning Officer at 47 Regiment RA. Following regular service retirement in 2008, Lee continued to serve in the Army Reserves until 2012. He retrained as a teacher and moved into leadership roles within the Further Education sector.
Sheldrake Equine Coaching Team
Kate Atkinson
Equine Coach Lead & Quality Assurance Lead
Kate’s lifelong passion for horses and education has shaped a diverse and rewarding career. Starting as a Saturday helper at a local riding school, she went on to work as a groom in eventing and dressage before becoming an instructor at a large training yard. Gaining BHS qualifications and competing in British Showjumping, she later became Yard Manager at Sparsholt College, where she also qualified as an Equine Lecturer after completing her CertEd.
David Stratton
Business Development Manager & Equine Coaching Manager
A former jump jockey in both Ireland and England – riding 33 winners and riding at 3 Cheltenham Festivals -David moved into training of racehorses upon retirement from race riding. David spent time with Ian Williams, Alan King and Robert Cowell holding Head Lad and Assistant Trainer roles. David also ran a large breaking and pre-training yard until recently. David qualified as an assessor and Trainer Coach in COVID times and worked for a training provider to develop racing and apprenticeships. In April 2024, David joined up with Sheldrake Training to develop the Racing section. David maintains his visibility in racing by riding out for Ed Walker every day.
Mike Mullen
Installation And Maintenance Electrician Head Coach
Mike Mullen brings over 20 years of experience in the electrical industry and more than a decade in education and training. Starting his career as an apprentice with NG Bailey, Mike has worked on major commercial projects, run his own business, and developed a deep understanding of the skills needed to succeed in the trade.
As an Electrician Coach with Sheldrake Training, Mike is passionate about helping learners build rewarding careers through practical, industry-focused training. He has also held senior roles in further education, including Curriculum Manager for Construction, where he helped develop electrical, plumbing, and renewable energy training programmes.
What sets Mike apart is his continued involvement in the industry. He still works as an electrician and supports former apprentices who have gone on to establish successful businesses.
Sian Bullock
Equine Coach
I grew up on a farm, spending my childhood show jumping ponies, playing with dogs, caring for calves, and generally running wild. My equestrian career began with local eventing before moving into dressage, training my own horse to PSG. I gained my BHSAI and BHSII, opening my own riding school in the late 1970s. In the mid-90s, I completed my Assessor and later IQA awards, working with four colleges — still supporting two today.
Since 2015, I’ve been an EQA for City & Guilds, quality assuring Equine and Animal Care qualifications, Skills for Working Life, and Level 1 Land-Based Studies. From 2019 to 2025, I was their Lead End Point Assessor for Equine Apprenticeships.
When COVID impacted the riding school, I shifted to running a 15-horse livery yard while continuing freelance teaching. My brother, nephew, and I now run our family farm with 200 sheep and hay production.
A lifelong racing fan, I now own three racehorses, enjoying every moment of their training and race days.
Senara Caddy
Equine Associate Coach
Senara has worked in the equine industry all her working life, both here, in Europe and for nearly 20 years in New Zealand as a course manager, coach developer and assessor for an NZQA qualification equestrian centre. Senara
holds British Equestrian Federation UKCC Level 4 and is a BHS qualified and accredited Senior Coach. She recently embarked on an MSc journey studying Professional Sports Coaching, which she completed, gaining a commendable Merit. Senara works as a freelance coach in Cornwall and has a passion for educating all involved with horses to use kind and ethical methods and promotes the importance of qualifications within the industry for both grooms, riders and coaches. Having worked as a groom, rider and coach within the industry, Senara understands the employer’s needs and the skills required by the employee to have a successful career.
Kickstart your career —join us now and make a real difference in learners’ futures!
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