The Commando Joe’s Team
At Commando Joe’s, our team is at the heart of everything we do. United by a shared passion for empowering young people, we bring a unique combination of lived experiences, educational expertise, and a deep commitment to character development.
DAN KELLY - MANAGING DIRECTOR
Dan has worked in the education sector for 12 years. This has primarily been as the Managing Director of the largest Character Education company in the country. Having grown this pupil-centred business to work with over 250,000 children and young people each year, the organisation and its network is now a part of the fastest-growing education alliance group in the country.
Prior to working in education, Dan was a section commander in the British Army for 10 years leading operations in the Middle East, West Africa and North America.
He has a passion to truly inspire young people, and enabling them to grow.
Outside of work, Dan is a keen runner, hill walker and weight lifter. Whilst in the military, Dan was a competitive boxer at an international level.
Dan has a large network of leading educational organisations that he works with, from resource developers, supply agencies and facility management services.
He wants to stretch the importance of Character Education in schools and across the sector, ensuring that alongside the priority of academic success and achievement, that Character receives the appropriate level of prioritisation.
THERESA CARTER - HR AND OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Theresa is an experienced HR professional who has spent the past ten years at Commando Joe’s. Prior to Commando Joe’s, she worked in both the telecoms and manufacturing sectors. Over the years, they have developed skills in areas such as employee relations, recruitment and works closely with the Management team to support the goals of fostering a positive workplace culture. They take pride in contributing to an environment where staff feel supported and valued, and they enjoy the opportunity to make a difference in both individual careers and the broader organisation.
Outside of work, Theresa values staying active and finding balance in their daily routine. They enjoy practising yoga for its calming and restorative benefits and often take a lunchtime run to clear their mind and boost their energy. These activities help them bring focus and enthusiasm to their role.
Grateful for the opportunities they’ve had to grow at Commando Joes, Theresa is committed to continuing to learn and contribute to the success of the organisation and its people.
JAMES TIBBLE - HEAD OF OPERATIONS
James has been a dedicated member of the Commando Joe’s team since 2013, bringing over a decade of experience in character education and youth development. Passionate about supporting young people and fostering their growth, James began his journey as an instructor, working with mainstream primary and secondary schools, as well as alternative provisions, across the West Midlands. His dedication saw him progress to Programme Trainer, where he delivered character education training to school staff.
As National Operations Manager, James led a team of 30 instructors, ensuring high standards of delivery and customer service. Today, he serves as Head of Operations, overseeing the seamless functioning of the wider Commando Joe’s team and contributing to the organisation’s mission of empowering young people.
Before joining Commando Joe’s, James served for 15 years in the Royal Navy’s Warfare Branch, deploying across the globe. A career highlight was training and participating in a Royal Guard of Honour during the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s visit to HMS Lancaster.
Outside of work, James enjoys hiking in the Peak District with his wife and their three dogs, embracing the outdoors and the sense of adventure that has shaped his career.
VIKI LEGERTON - MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT
Viki has worked in finance for almost 20 years, starting out as a purchase ledger clerk and working her way up to Finance Controller in a global manufacturing company. After 17 years, it was time for a new challenge in a different sector, and so Viki joined the Commando Joe’s family as Management Accountant in August 2022. Viki strongly values the social benefits the company aims to deliver.
A career in finance was something of a surprise, as Viki was strongly focused on humanities subjects during school and gained a bachelor’s degree in literature with the Open University. Notwithstanding, Viki relishes the daily challenges and mental exercise of working with numbers.
Outside of work, Viki enjoys exercise, particularly yoga and running. She completed Couch to 5k in 2018 and has since helped others to complete the programme, and is an advocate of the mental health benefits of exercise. She lives with her husband and their 3 cats.
DALE PRESCOTT - OPERATIONS MANAGER
Dale transitioned into the education sector over 11 years ago, initially starting as an instructor before advancing to the role of team leader, where he supported the maintenance of standards across the team. He later became a trainer, delivering impactful training sessions to school staff, which significantly contributed to the success of the school-led model. Today, as Operations Manager, Dale oversees a growing team of instructors and schools, spanning from Cumbria in the north to Kent in the south.
Before entering the education sector, Dale served in the British Army as a mechanic in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). His time in the army also provided him with the opportunity to travel the world through rugby, a sport he continues to enjoy. More recently, Dale expanded his expertise by joining the prison service, where he focuses on managing the health and safety of those in his care, building on de-escalation techniques and ensuring that, despite the high-pressure environment, it remains safe and manageable.
Outside of work, Dale is passionate about weightlifting and enjoys exploring the outdoors, particularly walking the many hills and routes in the Peak District with his wife and their Boxer dog.
THE SALES TEAM AND PROGRAMME TRAINERS
