Angela Gardner

Angela set up AJ Enterprises in 1994 with the aim of continuing her passion for engaging industry and business with education and the wider community.

Research technologist engaging with schools

A polymer chemistry graduate from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, Angela joined BP where she spent five years as a research technologist specialising in polymer blends.

While based mainly in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire, she became a volunteer BP schools link officer, helping teachers and students gain a better understanding of industrial science.

As a young woman working in a largely male world she also became heavily involved as a role model promoting science and technology as a real career option for girls.

Corporate social responsibility

Angela moved into corporate communications as Senior Public Affairs Officer where she managed BP’s educational affairs in Scotland for five years. This was a key element of the company’s corporate social responsibility programme. At that time BP was leading the way in engagement with education.

She was responsible for the BP Schools Link Scheme, curriculum and staff development projects and a programme of teacher secondments. Her team worked with schools, colleges and universities around the country, through ground breaking projects such as Aiming for a College Education, Partnerships for Technology, and the BP Contexts Box.

“Angela took to educational liaison work at BP in Scotland as one who had found her true vocation. Her experience then provided the foundation for her impressive career since as an independent consultant and founder of AJ Enterprises.”
– Chris Marsden, Adviser on business in society issues (former Head of Community Affairs, BP)

Setting up in business

In 1994 Angela left the corporate world and set up AJ Enterprises as a freelance public affairs consultancy.

Since then she has played a key role in many national developments under the banners of education industry links, education for work, enterprise in education and Determined to Succeed.

Over the years she has worked for a range of clients including large and small businesses, education organisations and institutions, government and public bodies, think tanks, research organisations and charities.

Angela has also retained links with her science and technology roots through a number of AJ Enterprises’ projects – from scientific copy-editing, to engaging technological industry with education, and curriculum development and review.

Learning, skills and the written word

Common threads throughout various projects have been Angela’s belief in the importance of learning and skills development for all, and her interest in communication through the written word.

This, combined with her eye for detail, led to her gaining Distinction in the industry-recognised proofreading by distance learning course run by the Publishing Training Centre at Book House in 2006. She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing & Proofreading.

In 2012 she launched the learning & skills intelligence digest Informed Scotland.

“I have known Angela for quite some time now and I have always been impressed by her approach and professionalism. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Angela to others.”
– Isla McCrone, Action Provocateurs (former Head of Determined to Succeed, Scottish Government)

Appointments and membership
  • Member of the Goodison Group in Scotland Forum
  • Senior Associate for Blake Stevenson research & support consultancy
  • Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing & Proofreading
  • Member of the Edinburgh Editors’ Network
  • Research Associate for the UK Commission for Employment & Skills (2013-15)
  • Associate of the Centre for Enterprising Careers, University of Strathclyde (2003–08)
  • Member of the Engineering Advisory Group of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (1999–2003)
  • Secretary to the Advanced Calculators & Maths Group, Scottish Consultative Council on the Curriculum (SCCC) (1997–98)
  • Secretary to the Science Education Review Group, SCCC (1995–96)
  • Secretary of State for Scotland nominated member of the General Teaching Council for Scotland (1990–98)
  • Member of the Technology Education Review Group, SCCC (1994–96)
  • Chair of the Scottish Office Schools Industry Links research project committee, Stirling University (1993–94)
  • Secretary of State for Scotland appointee to the Scottish Examination Board (1991–94)

For more information, take a look at Angela’s LinkedIn profile.