Josephine Tavassoli - Ordnance Survey

"Prior to joining the Ordnance Survey (OS), I had been a Chemistry academic at the University of Southampton. But within a year of my job at OS, I felt I needed something that credentialed me as a business leader. Having a doctorate in Chemistry, I didn’t initially realise I could be considered for an apprenticeship; however, I learned about the Senior Leader Apprenticeship, which exists to support the new learning of knowledge, skills and behaviours for managers, so I started researching possible training providers. The OS office in Southampton, where I am based, has more local training providers, but being a Mum, I knew that day-release learning wouldn’t work for me, so I had to research different options. The way Henley structured the programme and the ability to progress with my learning after completing the apprenticeship seemed a good fit. I did have to submit a business case on why this apprenticeship programme, but with support from OS, I’ve been able to commit myself to this fully. When I initially researched the programme, I had a clear idea of what the programme would deliver. However, despite previously working in the academic world, it has provided a load of unexpected value add that I had never anticipated."

"Henley’s way of structuring the learning is fantastic, as it allows me to separate from everyday life and fully immerse myself in action learning. The beautiful campus provides the mental space to disengage and fully engage with new learning. It’s just magical. When I tell my kids I’m going back to Henley, they say I’m going back to “Rancho Relaxo”.

"Although my cohort has people from different companies and backgrounds, we are very much not encouraged to merge our thinking as one. If anything, I would say the academic staff and our apprenticeship tutor encourage our individual thinking, we welcome being able to challenge each other, and Henley provides a safe space for us to do this in. OS have benefited from this new learning and way of thinking, and my contributions now are very different from what they were at the start of the apprenticeship."

"I’m coming to the end of my apprenticeship. Still, Henley has re-ignited my sense of curiosity to continue learning and developing, but also to support and mentor others."