Locations

Ronnie Corbett

Joined 2018

Ronnie joined MPCT in April 2018 as Regional Operations Manager for the newly established North East region. Since the North East regional launched in July 2018 the region has expanded its geographical footprint encompassing MPC Manchester and MPCT Nottingham and is now known at MPCT North.

Prior to joining MPCT Ronnie worked as a team leader on the Army Instructor Training Accreditation Contract with the Colleges Partnership responsible for the management of a team of teaching development coordinators in the North of England and Brecon who were responsible for delivering of a range of qualifications to Military instructors including teaching qualifications L3 to Level 5, Coaching and Mentoring qualifications Level 3 to Level 5, and Assessment and Quality Assurance Level 3 and 4. Prior to that Ronnie worked as an Apprenticeship Coordinator with the Colleges Partnership at the Infantry Training Centre for 5 years delivering an Apprenticeship programme to Infantry recruits which consisted of a Level 2 Diploma in Uniformed Public Services, ERR, PLTS and Functional Skills Maths and English.

Ronnie has 24 years of Military experience having served as an Infantry soldier from the rank of Guardsman to Warrant Officer Class 1. He has an exemplary military record having been awarded the meritorious service medal (MSM) in 2011. Ronnie has worked as a military instructor at a number of training establishments since 1994 including, ITC Catterick, ATR Glencorse, ATR Bassingbourn and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as a Colour Sergeant Instructor. Ronnie finished the final 6 years of his Military career at the Infantry Training Centre as the Company Sergeant Major Guards Training Company from 2006-2008, Master Coach of the 2nd Infantry Training Battalion from 2008-2009 and Regimental Sergeant Major of the All Arms Drill Wing from 2009-2011. During his service Ronnie completed 4 operational tours of Northern Ireland including a 2 year tour as the Platoon Sergeant of the Close Observation Platoon. He also served in Operation Granby in 1991 and Operation Telic as Company Sergeant Major from 2004-2005.

Ronnie is and sports enthusiast and has competed in recent years for Great Britain in his age group Duathlon. In 2017 he won the Bronze Medal at the National Championships at Oulton Park in the Sprint Duathlon. In 2015 he represented Great Britain at the World Championships in Spain. In 2019 Ronnie completed Ironman Wales on his 50th birthday celebration and this is his greatest sporting achievement to date.

Connan Cuthbertson

Joined 2018

Connan was born in Sunderland, England, and joined the Parachute Regiment from leaving school at 16. He started his career at AFC Harrogate and went on to pass Parachute Company (Pcoy) at the age of 17 as one of the youngest recruits to pass para selection.

Connan served with the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment in Colchester and got both his British and German parachute qualifications.
He parachuted into Arnhem, Holland for the anniversary with various different Paratroopers from all over the world.
He went on various different exercises and tasks such as OP FIRIC and Airborne Task Force (ABTF). Connan has a family history in the regiment as his brother and dad both served in the same battalion. Sadly he lost his brother in Afghanistan in 2008 to a suicide bomb.
Connan left the Army in 2014 and re-joined in 2017 as a Combat Medic Technician, so that he could gain knowledge in the medical environment and help people in the future.

When leaving regular service Connan went on to get his close protection licence, in which he's been doing since he started MPCT for the last 3 years.

The reason he started MPCT is to help young individuals achieve their goals and share his knowledge from his career.

Craig Hepburn

Joined 2018

Craig began his army career in 1989, training at Sir John Moore Barracks, Winchester Hants. After passing out Craig's first posting was with the Second Battalion 'The Light Infantry' based in Tidworth, where he joined the Machine Gun platoon. The battalion served in Tidworth for another three years, which in that time two tours of Northern Ireland were completed.

From Tidworth, the battalion moved to Colchester joining 24 Air Mobile Brigade. This was a 6 year posting, carrying out a number of different exercises and completing another two tours of Northern Ireland. In 1996 Craig achieved the rank of Lance Corporal, before relocating to Cyprus for 2 years. This entailed him to carry out security work for high profile buildings and ceremonial duties with the platoon.

In 1998 he was then posted to Edinburgh to carry out ceremonial duties. Whilst posted here he carried out his final tour of Northern Ireland, and also completed exercises in Kenya.
Craig was also promoted during this time to Corporal as a Section Commander. Part of this role was to teach lessons on the different weapon systems used at this time.

In 2002 Craig was deployed to Sierra Leone on a campaign, the duration of this deployment was 5 months. In 2003 Craig moved to Germany and became the Armoured Infantry Battalion, using the Armoured Warrior Vehicle. He was posted there for five years, during this time he completed 2 tours in the Middle East.

From 2008 Craig was posted to ATR Winchester training recruits on a 14 week military training programme. The beginning of the training programme taught how to keep well, physically and mentally. It also taught the values and standards of the British Army. This progressed through to recruits passing out and moving on to phase 2 training.

2009 brought a career change, this led Craig to become a teacher in the Infantry Battle School, Wales. When Craig passed the course he was promoted to Sergeant. His role as a Squad Instructor was to deliver instruction of the regulations of planning, conducting and supervising Life Firing Training. He managed 14 Infantry and All Arms students. He delivered technical information to a constantly high instructional standard, to allow the students to understand and teach back on a 42 week course.

In 2010 he was promoted again to the rank of Staff Sergeant, training officers and senior non-commission officers how to set up and conduct live firing ranges, in order to gain the qualifications for the appropriate battalions. This enabled them to set up live firing ranges fitting to the reality of war.

In 2012 Craig left the British Army with 23 years of colour service.

Steven Forrest

Joined 2020

Leighanne Bell

Joined 2018

Leighanne Bell has been teaching Functional Skills for 15 years in various locations such as HMP service and previously worked for City and Guilds as an examiner, marking English exams from Level 1 and Level 2.

Leighanne is married with 3 children; 1 daughter, who has just turned 21 and is training to be a Mental Health Nurse, an 18 year old son, who is training to be a Marine Engineer and a 9 year old son who is in primary school. Leighanne's husband was in the army for 22 years, working in the R.E.M.E as an Avionic Technician on helicopters. He has been in Afghanistan for the past 2 and a half years and now has a job at home as a Lift Engineer.

"I enjoy teaching the learners and working alongside my co-workers. Every day is different!"

~Leighanne Bell