TEAM

Alex - Managing Director & Co-founder

Alex started his career off as a musician in the early 2000s, with the Huddersfield based ska-punk band- Mr Shiraz. During his time in the band, they toured the UK, Europe, and the USA . In 2006, they got signed to indie label Triumphant Sound and received air play on Radio 1.

Things changed when he was asked to do some volunteering with young offenders, in Leeds, to talk to them about his experience as a musician. This had quite a profound effect on him and so, in 2009, he decided to part ways with the band (and music) and take his career in a new direction, going on to study a BA (Hons) in Criminology & Sociology, at the University of Kent, and then an MRes in Criminology & Socio-Legal studies, at the University of Manchester. Following this, he went straight into teaching in Higher Education, before starting his PhD, in 2017, at the University of Plymouth.

Alex holds a PGCAP higher education teaching qualification, is a Fellow at the Higher Education Academy (FEA) and is now a lecturer in Criminology and Sociology, at The University of Law (Manchester campus). He specialises in prisons, rehabilitation, youth justice and psychoanalytic theory and desistance.

For Alex, being able to bring together a decades worth of experience writing, performing, and recording music, along with over a decade's worth of studying, teaching and researching criminology, criminal justice and psychology-UNTAP is a dream job for him!!

Kerry - Director & Co-founder - Programme Delivery Lead

As former frontman, songwriter and guitarist for Huddersfield ska-punk legends – Lubby Nugget (signed to Moon Ska Records, Europe), Kerry is no stranger to the music scene. Starting his own journey into recording engineering through using the GarageBand programme on his MacBook, in 2006, he decided that this was where he would turn his career towards. In 2009 he set up GN Studios – Huddersfield premier rehearsal, recording and mastering studio.

He prides himself on providing a personal and professional service by working closely to guide the artist through the process, helping to make sure they always get the best out of them and their sound. He has worked with a variety of musicians and record labels both locally and from around the world, and so he is well-equipped with the knowledge, experience and studio equipment for all types of recording, mixing or mastering that can produce broadcast quality recordings .

Tom – Director

Self-employed musician/drum tutor. He has previously worked as a drum tech for Terrorvision. He played his biggest gig to around 6000 people in a Foo Fighters tribute band, and is now currently the bassist of the absolutely amazing, utterly astounding (his words!) Knuckle Fuzz one of the best covers/function bands around. In his spare time, Tom also has a gaming Twitch channel and so is very adept in all things media. When it comes to providing session drums for UNTAP … call him ‘Tommy One-Take’ … he’s literally that good!!

Sammy – Project Coordinator

Sammy has worked in alternative education since 2014 in the Huddersfield area delivering/leading a study programme of vocational subjects, functional skills and work placement mentoring for 16-19yrs NEETs; and teaching Art and PSHE in a pupil referral unit for 13-16yrs. She has experience working with young people from an array of vulnerable, disadvantaged backgrounds, and a good understanding of challenging behaviour, inequality and the importance of empowerment through creative, nurturing community projects and education.

She was awarded tutor of the year (2016) and outstanding achievement (2016) when studying L5 Diploma in Education. Although she has no musical talent whatsoever (her words!), she understands the entire process from front room practicing to professional recording with knowing wonderful, interesting, musical friends. Sammy has a lotta lotta years of experience in the hospitality sector and racked up some creative flair points when studying BA (Hons) in Fine Art and Design