About our prison services

Claire Atkins is the Group’s Lead Director for Prison Services, overseeing a national portfolio of Ministry of Justice and private estate prison education contracts. She is responsible for ensuring that learners across the prison system receive high quality education that reduces reoffending and supports progression into meaningful employment.

She brings extensive senior leadership experience from large international private sector organisations, with a background in organisational transformation, business development, crisis management and multi-agency collaboration. This experience underpins her ability to lead teams through complex change while maintaining a strong people centred focus. Claire has a track record in delivering strategic initiatives that improve productivity, enhance performance and support regulatory compliance.

Driven by a commitment to making a meaningful difference, Claire places learners and staff at the heart of her leadership. Her focus on operational excellence, continuous improvement and shared purpose ensures the Group creates lasting impact for the people and communities it serves.

Phil has dedicated over 30 years to Further Education, beginning his career lecturing in professional construction before progressing into influential management and senior leadership roles. Throughout his career, he has driven meaningful change by expanding access to high‑quality learning, including establishing offender learning opportunities in Birmingham.

Since joining MK College in 2016, Phil has successfully led the East Midlands OLASS provision and later the Long Term High Security Estate North PEF provision, delivering impactful education in some of the most complex prison environments. Under the new PES contract, he now oversees the South Central Prisons, ensuring learners receive transformative educational opportunities that support rehabilitation and long‑term success.

Phil is deeply committed to the power of education to change lives. His work focuses on reducing reoffending and helping individuals build brighter and fairer futures—benefiting learners, their families, and the wider community.