Newly Appointed MD for Acacia Training, Dr Chris Payne

Acacia Training, an award winning education provider, has appointed Dr Chris Payne in its newly created managing director role. 

With 37 years experience in the education and training sector, Dr Chris Payne, a leading voice on work-based learning, has previously worked within health, government, financial, safety & environmental organisations.

His most recent role as CEO at NEBOSH saw Chris lead the Awarding Body out of the impact of covid, creating a high performing team and ensuring learners completed their qualifications and progressed their career. 

After being a chief executive for 25 years, developing his unique people centric leadership style, Chris will be working closely with the whole organisation to bring everyone’s collected experience together and drive the business through its next evolutionary stage. 

Chris will also bring his direct learner experience of the education industry, having led by example with his own lifelong learning including a range of CPD courses to underpin his experience. Chris’s focus and positive impact has been built on providing high quality support for people to develop their careers and employers to develop their workforce. 

Dr Chris Payne, Managing Director of Acacia Training, said

“I am looking forward to my new role at Acacia Training, serving and supporting the team to grow and develop. Vikki (Group CEO) and I have shared values which will aid the growth of the business and navigate it in the right direction. Vikki’s leadership and vision is something which inspired me to join Acacia Training and I can’t wait to see the amazing things we can achieve.

”The building blocks are already in place at Acacia Training, including our recent OFSTED inspection where we were awarded ‘good’ in all areas, showcasing that we have some great people with a shared passion to be the best.”

Vikki Sylvester, Founder and Group CEO of Acacia Training, added:

“We are all excited to see Chris onboarded within the team and his values and vision matches Acacia Training, which will make him a key asset to the business. His experience within the education sector will bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to Acacia. He also has  exceptional leadership skills which will help support the team and enable members to develop further, helping us to grow and have a positive impact within the education sector.

“As the business continues to grow, alongside our parent company, MBH Corporation, the time felt right to bring on some additional expertise to support our growth. By doing so, this will allow me to support the parent company and move into a more strategic role within Acacia.

I have been in the business for 22 years, so we felt it was important to take on fresh insights and perspectives. In just a few weeks Chris has shown an immense alignment with myself and the business. We are confident Chris’s appointment will prepare Acacia for the next phase of growth.”

The news follows Acacia Training’s recent extension of its course portfolio to include a Cyber Security Technician Bootcamp. The new intensive programme is aimed at helping businesses across England to combat the rising trend of cybercrime, whilst equipping learners with the knowledge and skills to prevent cyber attacks.  

Acacia Training has been supporting the development of adult learners for more than 20 years, via apprenticeships, traineeships and other educational programmes, with specialisms in Adult Health & Social Care, Children & Young People’s Services, Dental Nursing, Beauty, Sport & Fitness, Adult Education & Training and Business, Management & Digital.