Date started at MPCT July 2006 Experience

Pete served as part of the Royal Green Jackets and was posted to a variety of locations including the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Kenya and Fiji, the latter as part of the British Army Recruiting Group selecting candidates from Fiji for the British Army. On Operations, Pete spent 3 years in Northern Ireland and was presented with a Mention in Dispatches as part of his teams’ actions in August 1992.

Upon joining MPCT in 2006, Pete began as an Instructor at MPC Cardiff before becoming the Lead Instructor in Wrexham and has progressed through the Company since then.

As well as having a physical training background, Pete is an avid exercise enthusiast and has taken part in a variety of endurance challenges to raise money for local charities. Pete feels that the mark of a good society is what we do for the most vulnerable within it to make their lives better. Pete is extremely proud to be part of MPCT, supporting young people in their career progression, and finds it extremely rewarding.

"The most rewarding part of the job is seeing learners progress within their chosen career. I enjoy helping them with any barriers they need to overcome and it gives me a sense of pride to see them develop into professional and focused young people."

Pete Leak

Experience

I was born in January 1970 in Wrexham, North Wales and was educated at Ysgol Bryn Alyn Secondary School in Wrexham. Straight from school I went to work for Sharps Manufacturing for 2 years and then decided it was time to join the British Army.

At 18 years of age I joined the 1st Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers (1 Royal Welsh). After completing my basic training at Whittington Barracks in Lichfield I was then posted to Berlin for 3 years then onto Tidworth in 1993. Whilst I was in the army, I represented my Battalion in the football, golf and cross-country teams.
After leaving the forces I decided to pursue a career working with young people. After spending 4 years as a Team Leader with the Prince’s Trust delivering Personal Development programmes across North Wales, I then went on to work for Wilderness Expertise as a Behavioural Education Enrichment Programmes (BEEP) Manager delivering Engagement Programmes across Schools in the North West.

In 2007 I met our CEO Huw Lewis MBE and he gave me the opportunity to work for MPCT as an Instructor at the Military Preparation College in Wrexham. In 2015 I was given the role as Lead Instructor and was responsible for opening the first of our Midlands Colleges in Birmingham. In June 2015 I moved over to MPCT Wolverhampton and opened the doors to our second Midlands College and remained there until I was given the opportunity to open the doors of our third College in Dudley.

In Sept 2016 I was appointed Area Operations Manager for the Midlands region where I was responsible for the daily operations of all MPCT Colleges.

I have many sporting interests, but I have a huge passion for Triathlon and Ironman racing where I have been doing this for the past 24 years. I have competed in events all across the world where I have represented Great Britain in the Age Group Team in the Triathlon European Championships Israel 2012 – Triathlon European Championships Turkey 2013 and recently in March 2020 in the European Duathlon Championships in Punta Umbria, Spain.

I have two children - Ellis 16 and Charlotte 24, and my 3 year old grandson Jenson. I currently live in Cannock Chase with Trudie and her two children Megan and Conor.

Date started at MPCT 2015 Experience

Bonnie joined the British Army in January 1997 as an RLC Driver. Her first posting was to Colchester as a fuel operator where she did two tours of the Falkland Islands. Bonnie then moved on to do a year in Northern Ireland as a Saxon driver for the marching season until 2001 before being posted to Gutersloh 2cs Regt in Germany until 2006 as a drops driver. While in Germany, Bonnie completed a tour of Iraq - during her tour she was promoted.

Bonnie joined the squadron boxing team and also the regimental basketball team. Bonnie also worked in the Unit Welfare office as the housing JNCO and the Entertainment JNCO. Her final post was Abingdon, in this time she became the regimental and squadron boxing coach, and did one more tour of Iraq as a force protection vehicle commander.

"While working at MPCT I’ve found that I’ve enjoyed working with young adults and seeing them develop and achieve their goals that they may have thought were not achievable. Since being here I’ve seen the learners leadership qualities grow with their confidence helping them to progress into any job role they may be working towards."

Bonnie Simeon

Date started at MPCT 2014 Experience

Luke enlisted in the Army in 2005 and joined the Royal Engineers as a Combat Engineer, he then did further training to become a Communications Specialist through his career.

Luke has deployed on many different types of exercises all over the UK and internationally including, Kenya, Cyprus, Jordan, and one operational tour of Afghanistan in 2011 with the Counter-Improvised Explosive Devise Task Force.

Luke spent four years at an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Regiment (EOD) based in Saffron Walden with 101 Engineer Regiment (EOD) where he became a search team 2IC for high risk search. He also boxed at Regimental and Corps level at Light Welter Weight in 2009/2010 for 6 months as a tracksuit soldier, which was absolutely brilliant and one of his best experiences in the Army.

Luke was also fortunate enough to be posted around the UK from Barnstable, Maidstone and Cambridge. He thoroughly enjoyed his time in the Army and would recommend it to anyone who was thinking of joining.

Luke left the Army in December 2013 and became a Personal Trainer, where he worked in Lifestyle Fitness helping clients achieve their fitness and nutrition goals. He started his own outdoor boot camp business called Full Body Fitness which he held in a local park four nights a week.

January 2014 Luke started working for MPCT as he needed a new challenge in his life.
Working with young people can be challenging at times but it has been extremely rewarding and he is constantly humbled by how these young people conduct themselves and pursue their goals of getting into employment.

Luke enjoys keeping fit by running and going to the gym every day.

"Having spent a year at MPCT Birmingham I can tell you that I like the structure of the daily routine that the college provides for the learners. Taking Physical Training lessons and seeing the progress that all the learners make towards their fitness goals and then seeing them progress into the Military is one of the biggest rewards of the job."

Luke Seal

Date started at MPCT 2020 Experience

Ben joined the Royal Engineers in the British Army 6 months after finishing his studies in college at the age of 19. Every male in Ben's family had previously served or was currently serving at the time he joined, so it was always a passion of his to join. Ben spent most of his career as a military PTI, following an interest of physical activity that he always had.

Ben had a love for sport, particularly Rugby, which he also continued when joining the forces. Along with going around the world for his job, Ben was also fortunate enough to travel the world representing his corps and Army U23’s in rugby. He also gained mountaineering qualifications and other adventure training experiences which also took him around the world and more specifically the Alps.

In Ben's career he had always wanted to be a PTI and it was the job he most enjoyed doing. So, Ben decided to develop himself further in the industry, getting qualifications like level 3 PT, Strength and Conditioning qualifications, then starting a university degree and studying Sport and Exercise Science. Ben always had a passion for teaching, leading him now to be involved with a job that allows him to do both the things he enjoys.

In his time at MPCT he hopes to improve himself in qualifications but more importantly develop his skills in all aspects and establish himself as a instructor in the company.

Date started at MPCT 2016 Experience

Jon lives in Dudley, West Midlands and has lived in or around the area his whole life.

Jon has a degree in Mathematical Sciences from Wolverhampton University, before this job he was a Maths Graduate Tutor for a company called Juniper Training. He has also worked in the welfare to work for industry for 4 years helping people to gain employment and before that he was the manager of a suit shop.

Date started at MPCT April 2021 Experience

Hello there! I'm Alex, I joined the MPCT in April 2021 and I'm currently a Training Instructor within the Birmingham college.

A former Lance Sergeant of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. I served for 12 years, conducting 3 operational tours in Afghanistan, birthday parades for our Queen and taking part in other ceremonial duties for Her Majesty and members the Royal Family.

Whilst serving, I was fortunate enough to represent the Armed Forces at sport and won a title of Combine Services Light-Welterweight Boxing Champion in 2014.

I was also a training instructor at The Infantry battle School in Brecon, Wales. Delivering a high standard of physical training for Platoon Commanders, Section Commanders and Platoon Sergeants battle courses.

With a massive passion for health and mental wellbeing. I love taking part in sports, relaxing with yoga, lifting weights and ultimately enjoying life and the company of others.

The MPCT has given me a great opportunity to pass on my life experiences, develop the skills have gained in the military and help others with their future aspirations. I couldn't wish for a better job!

Date started at MPCT 2020 Experience

James served in the infantry for 10 years in the 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards from 2003 tp February 2013. During his time in the infantry, James completed a tour of Bosnia in 2004/2005 a tour of Iraq in 2006 and then 3 tours of Afghanistan in 2007/2009/2012.

In between all the tours, when back in the UK, James would be doing numerous ceremonial duties which included 3 trooping of the colours.

Back in 2013, James counted his lucky stars to be alive and chose to leave. This was a big wake up call as he had been drilled with military for the last 10 years of his life and knew nothing else. James then decided to follow his dreams and passion of fitness, and qualified as a level 3 personal trainer in 2016. Since then he has worked in a number of gyms and trained many many clients over the years.

One of James's biggest passions is boxing. He trained the company boxing team and then when he left the army he went and fought in a few amateur fights local to himself.

Being able to work for MPCT is a honour for James as the job role is something he has wanted to do ever since he left the army. Being able to share his experiences and knowledge with the younger generation and give them that boost, encouragement, and drive to better themselves has always been a passion for James.

Date started at MPCT 2019 Experience

Lin has spent most of her working life in a Training and Educational role as a qualified teacher. Lin did spend over twenty years teaching GCSE at her last secondary school, after that she came to work for MPCT in 2019.

Lin's role at MPCT is to support learning. Lin did serve with the WRAC, RLC and The Royal Signals, she was an SNCO by the time she retired in 2003 all in all she gave 22 years service.