Sue is Head of Educational Services and a member of the IRRV’s Senior Leadership Team. Her role has responsibility for all IRRV Professional Qualifications and the Level 4 Revenues and Welfare Benefits Practitioner Apprenticeship Scheme. Sue is also the IRRVs Designated Safeguarding Lead and acts as the Institute's Ofsted Nominee.

Prior to joining the Institute, Sue had a 27 year career in Local Government in two Local Authorities in Leicestershire. She was a member of the joint management team, which brought together a Shared Service Partnership in Leicestershire, comprised of the Revenues and Benefits departments from North West Leicestershire District Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and Harborough District Council.

Sue is a member of both the East Midlands and West Midlands IRRV Associations. She was a member of the West Midlands Executive Committee from 2003 to 2010 where she was elected West Midlands Association President for two years between 2007 and 2009.

An examiner and moderator for the Institute’s professional examinations since 2017, Sue also speaks at industry events, writes regular articles for the IRRV’s monthly professional journal, Insight, and has tutored on the Technician day release course.

Contact Details

Email: sue.williams-lee@irrv.org.uk

Telephone: 020 7691 8978

Work Mobile: 0777 652 6497

Gary became the Chief Executive of the Institute of Revenues, Rating & Valuation (IRRV) in July 2022 having been Deputy Chief Executive since January 2008. Gary had left Local Government in August 2004 after 28 years’ service where he had worked for Hillingdon LBC, Elmbridge BC, Lambeth LBC and for the last 16 years, Tower Hamlets LBC. On leaving Local Government, Gary set up his own consultancy company that specialised in all aspects of Council Tax, Non-Domestic Rate and Revenues.

A member of the IRRV since September 1977, Gary passed his final exams in May 1993. Elected to the IRRV National Council in September 1990, he served as National President in 2002/03 and only stood down when appointed Deputy Chief Executive. Whilst on National Council, Gary had been chair of the Education Committee and Local Taxation & Revenues Faculty Board. At a local level, Gary was an elected member of the London & Home Counties Association Executive for over 25 years. He served as Chairman in 1993/94 and again stood down when appointed Deputy Chief Executive.

As Chief Executive, Gary is the IRRV’s representative on a number of working groups convened by Government and its agencies. He presents papers at Conferences, Seminars, Forums and Association Meetings whilst running a series of Upskilling Sessions and Training Courses on various topics. He produces articles for each edition of the IRRV monthly magazine ‘Insight’ and is editor of Council Tax Law & Practice and Rating Law & Practice; both publications produced by the IRRV.

Whilst remaining an examiner for the Institute in a number of subjects leading to IRRV qualifications, he has recently stood down as a tutor on Day / Block Release and Distance Learning Courses. This was a role he took on in 1984 having completed his own studies.

Contact Details

Email: gary.watson@irrv.org.uk

Telephone: 07887 804177

Dee joined the Institute in 2007 as a Policy Officer for vocational qualifications.

Before joining the Institute Dee managed 27 branches of Lloyds/TSB vocational qualifications Level 2 and 3 in customer service.  She also managed 17 branches of Lloyds/TSB as an access developer, which included monitoring procedural standards and devising courses. She has been working in the field of vocational training for 21 years.

Her key Apprenticeship resposibilities are to manage quality assurance, lead on standardisation of apprenticeship pathways and the review / redesign of the curriculum. Part of Dolores's role is to provide guidance and ongoing support and advice to Apprenticeship Tutors, apprentices and workplace mentors.

Dee is the IRRV's SEND Co-Ordinator and she provides pastoral care to our learners and staff. She is a trained Mental Health First Aider. Dee is also a member of the IRRV's Safeguarding Team.

Contact Details

Email: dolores.fergus@irrv.org.uk

Telephone: 020 7691 8981

(Working days: Mondays and Wednesdays) 

Roger is a highly experienced trainer who has specialised in Housing Benefit for over 20 years, the majority of his Housing Benefit career was spent as a training officer prior to joining the IRRV in June 2019. Roger being of mature years has worked in a number of areas including 15 years as a training manager in retail. He has also worked for a number of Local Authorities as a contractor and has gained experience in different authorities policies and procedures, which has been extremely useful in helping trainees and apprentices appreciate a variety of working practices. Roger or 'Quincy' as we like to call him(!) spent the first 8 years of his career as a Medical Pathologist.

Roger was previously an Apprenticeship Tutor and is currently responsible for delivering Welfare Benefits related training days and maintaining the IRRV's Welfare Benefits online learning products. He is also the Distance Learning tutor for 'Introduction to Welfare Benefits' (Technician level) and 'Welfare Benefits Law and Practice' (Diploma level).  

Contact Details

Email: roger.bowen@irrv.org.uk

Telephone: 020 7691 8971

Melissa joined the IRRV in October 2019. She is responsible for providing Council Tax training and support for apprentices undertaking the IRRV level 4 Revenues and Welfare Benefits Practitioner Apprenticeship. She also delivers training and support to IRRV Technician level Distance Learning students.

Previously Melissa worked in local government for over 17 years, many of which, Melissa spent as a Revenues Training Officer, providing support to new recruits.

Through this role Melissa is providing help and support to many new apprentices and students, helping them to achieve a qualification which will help build confidence and career opportunities. 

Melissa is the team's lead officer for the apprenticeship final assessment and regularly liaises with independent Assessment Organisations, apprentices and workplace mentors/employers. 

Contact Details 

Email: melissa.oliver@irrv.org.uk

Telephone: 020 7691 8977

Adam joined the IRRV in November 2019. He is responsible for providing Non-Domestic Rates training and support for apprentices undertaking the IRRV level 4 Revenues and Welfare Benefits Practitioner Apprenticeship. He also delivers training and support to IRRV Technician level Distance Learning students. Adam has 13 years of experience in local government, prior to joining the IRRV..

Adam has developed a broad knowledge of both revenues and benefits by performing a number of roles such as clerical assistant, revenues officer, benefits officer, a senior revenues and benefits liaison officer and most latterly being a senior revenues officer. In addition Adam worked as an independent contractor for a number of authorities primarily in the Kent area.

Adam also delivers Upskilling Sessions with the Chief Executive on topics such as the Role of the Council in the Magistrates Court and / or the Valuation Tribunal.

Adam is looking to share his knowledge and experience and is passionate about helping apprentices and students improve their understanding and skill set in order for them to reach their full potential.

Contact Details

Email: adam.fairclough@irrv.org.uk

Telephone: 020 7691 8980

Steve joined the IRRV in January 2024. He previously worked in the Benefits Team for over 20 years for Wealden District Council. He started in an administration role, worked up to assessing, and then into a senior role. He has experience as a Team Leader and his most recent role, prior to joining the Institute, was Benefits Training Officer. He attained the IRRV Technician qualification in 2017. The Institute’s Qualification Management Board chose Steve as a national prize winner due to him being the highest performing candidate in that year.

Steve enjoys working with IRRV Apprentices and supporting them to achieve success.

Contact Details

Email: stephen.fletcher@irrv.org.uk

Telephone: 020 7691 8988

Catherine joined the IRRV in January 2024. She has over 18 years’ experience in local government prior to joining the IRRV.  Catherine started as a Benefits Assessor and after a few years the opportunity to deliver the induction training for new benefit staff became available and that’s when Catherine knew learning and development was the career path for her. 

Over the last 16 years Catherine has delivered training both for her own authority and a number of other local authorities, creating bespoke learning packages in both revenues and benefits theory, along with supporting a number of local authorities in the role out of Universal Credit.  In 2016 Catherine studied a Level 5 Diploma in Learning and Development and continues to maintain her personal development so that she can use those skills along with her theory knowledge in supporting apprentices through their journey.    

Contact Details

Email: catherine.colborne@irrv.org.uk

Telephone: 020 7691 8996

Rowena joined the IRRV in 2009 as a membership officer and is now in the role of Apprenticeship Coordinator. Prior to this, she worked in various administrative / PA roles with a number of local authorities and charities.

Rowena is now primarily, the first point of contact for those interested in our apprenticeship, as well as enrolment and together with the rest of the team, helps in the smooth running and delivery of the apprenticeship.

Contact Details

Email: rowena.hunter@irrv.org.uk

Telephone: 020 7691 8992

(Working days: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays)

Alex joined the IRRV in September 2022 as an Apprenticeship Administration Officer. Prior to this, Alex’s career has involved various supply chain roles in the fashion, equestrian and pet food industries; and running her own business producing innovative equestrian fashion accessories. Alex is qualified at RHS Level 2 and 3 in Horticulture, and runs her own garden maintenance business alongside her IRRV work. With her wealth of personal experience of in-work studying, Alex is well-placed to support our apprentices achieve their learning goals.

Contact Details

Team Email: alex.chiverton@irrv.org.uk

Telephone: 020 7691 8994
(Working days: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Friday mornings) 

Faye joined IRRV in September 2023 as an Apprenticeship Administrator. Prior to this Faye has had experience in various administration roles and in her first role as office administrator for the mortgage complaints department for Barclays bank, she also went through a business and administration apprenticeship with CFA skills.

As Faye has previous knowledge of what it is like on the other side of an apprenticeship, she is keen to help and support with the smooth running of the delivery of the apprenticeship for the learners and the tutors.

Contact Details

Email: faye.latimer@irrv.org.uk

Telephone: 020 7691 8994

(Working days: Monday morning, Wednesday and Thursday) 

Excellence in professional qualifications 

To deliver excellence in professional qualifications and apprenticeships.

To support IRRV student and apprentice members to build exceptional competencies in the workplace.

To support Practitioners in developing progressive careers.

Promote the interests of members

To promote the interests of its individual and organisational members, at every level, through its lobbying of Government.

To deliver bespoke training to employers.

To provide high quality professional qualifications.

Support & Represent IRRV members 

To respond to high profile Government consultations and contribute to policy development.

To represent IRRV members on Government steering groups.

To support IRRV members and their families facing difficult personal circumstances with donations from its benevolent fund.

Safeguarding & Values

To keep our learners and staff safe, by training all staff and learners on Safeguarding and Prevent duties / reporting procedures, and by raising awareness of their importance in protecting our learners.

To embed British Values into the every day running of IRRV, ensuring that learners and tutors understand the importance of establishing a learning space, which is respectful and tolerant of different faiths and freedom of speech.

The IRRV is committed to providing a safe environment for young pee and vulnerable adults, identifying young people and vulnerable adults who are suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm and to taking appropriate action to ensure that such individuals are kept safe, in the workplace, at home or whilst studying with the IRRV.

The IRRV is also committed to providing students with the necessary skills and knowledge to keep themselves and others safe. Education, like other key sectors, has a responsibility to promote values of openness and tolerance and to facilitate free debate, which is characteristic of being a British citizen. It is in this context that the IRRV provides the following policies and information.

Reporting Safeguarding and / or Prevent related incidents

If you have concerns about your own safety or the safety of a colleague or a fellow learner, you should not hesitate to contact one of the IRRV Safeguarding Officers below. They will deal with the disclosure discretely, but cannot promise confidentiality, as anything that is raised may need to be reported to the relevant authority, for example the police, the local authority or social services, especially if there is a risk of immediate harm. 

If you, or someone you know, is subject to any form of abuse or at risk of being radicalised, you must report this as soon as possible. You can contact your employer's safeguarding team / HR, or, if this is in relation to your studies with the IRRV, to an IRRV Safeguarding Officer. They will complete a form noting down all factual details about the incident and then refer this to specialist, fully trained, partner organisations, for them to take this forward. It is very important that information is shared, as, what may seem like a small, insignificant piece of information, when shared with other organsiations, may complete the picture in terms of the regularity and / or severity of an abusive or extremist situation. 

Raising concerns in a timely manner may prevent much more serious incidents occurring at a later date. 

Ms Sue Williams-Lee IRRV (Hons) - Head of Educational Services and Designated Safeguarding Lead 

Email: safeguarding@irrv.org.uk

Direct Line: 020 7691 8978

Work Mobile: 07776 526497

Ms Dee Fergus IRRV - Quality Assurance and Compliance Coordinator and Safeguarding Officer

Email: safeguarding@irrv.org.uk

Direct Line: 020 7691 8981

Mr Roger Bowen IRRV - Apprenticeship Officer and Safeguarding Officer

Email: safeguarding@irrv.org.uk

The IRRV is an Equal Opportunities Employer

The IRRV is committed to the development of positive policies to promote equal opportunities in employment and in the delivery of our services, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity or trade union membership status.

This commitment will apply to recruitment and selection practices, training and development, promotion and in the application of national and local agreements in respect of pay and conditions of service.

IRRV Policy

Equality and Diversity Policy 2025