Ed Beswick

General Manager & Director of Finance

Ed is the General Manager and Director of Business and Financial Services at Thrive Group.  Ed is responsible for Finance, HR, Risk, Legal, Marketing and Systems as well as being the key spokesperson for the organisation and leader of the Thrive Exec Team.

Prior to joining Thrive Group, Ed was the Financial Accountant at Launceston Airport where he was responsible for the monthly board reporting and prior to that was an Audit Manager with over 9 years of professional experience in audit and advisory at Deloitte. As an audit manager, Ed delivered both financial statement and internal audit services to clients across a range of industries, predominantly in Northern Tas. Ed also worked on audit engagements for both large proprietary and ASX listed clients and is highly experienced in financial reporting, governance, risk management,  internal audit and all things Excel. Ed also has experience working abroad in St John’s (Canada) where he assisted Canadian entities with the first-time adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and experienced dog sledding for the first time.

Ed graduated from the University of Tasmania (Launceston) with a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Information Systems, majoring in Accounting and E-business. He has also been actively involved with the Oxfam on Campus UTAS student group since its inception in 2008. Ed is a Chartered Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor and is also the treasurer of both Junction Arts Festival and the Launceston Film Society.  Ed also holds a Certificate IV in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).  Ed strongly believes in the transformative power of quality education and is a passionate advocate for the Early Years sector.

Sebastian Tuttle

Director of Children’s Services

Sebastian has worked in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector for just over 8 years in a multitude of roles including as an OSHC educator, in-home carer, Centre Leader, Educational leader, Centre Based Manager for NCN and most recently as the Director of Children Services for Thrive Group Tasmania. During this time, Sebastian has worked with a variety of different educators from newly enrolled students just starting their careers to experienced educators who have adjusted and worked under multiple curriculums and legislations.

Sebastian is a Bachelor qualified Early Childhood Teacher with a passion for early learning and OSHC education. He believes that the sector needs to be recognised for the important role it plays in today’s society and that we need to continue advocating to improve public perception of the Early Childhood Education and Care sector.

Angela Kinnersly

Early Years & School Aged Care Manager

Angela began working with Thrive Group in 2009 and has held various positions such as East Coast Vacation Care, Coordinator, East Coast (Little Penguins) Child Care Centre Leader, Campbell Town Early Learning Centre Responsible Educator and Outside School Hours Care Manager before commencing her current role of Early Years and School Age Care (EYSAC) Manager.

Angela’s background includes voluntary youth and community involvement and previous experience as a Teacher Aide.

As well as many years of professional Early Childhood Education and Care experience, Angela also holds qualifications including a Certificate III in Children’s Services and a Diploma in Education and Care.

Angela incorporates her vast experience and community involvement into practice to help build relationships and engage with the community through her role as EYSAC Manager with Thrive Group.

Caitlin Heyward

Family Day Care Manager

Caitlin has over 17 years’ experience within the Education and Care Sector in various roles such as Vacation Care coordinator, Long Day Care Assistant Manager and Educational Leader, Small business owner of a Family Day Care Service, Education and Care Receptionist, Assessment and Support Coordinator and finally her current role as Thrive Group’s Family Day Care Manager.

Caitlin has a Diploma of Children’s Services and is currently studying a Diploma of Leadership and Management.

Caitlin is dedicated to make a difference in the lives of young people, inspiring staff and Educators to be their very best self and also advocating for the importance of collaborative partnerships when raising strong, independent and resilient children.

Jemma Sims

Risk and Compliance Manager & Business Services Team Leader

Jemma has been working with Thrive Group since 2015, initially as an Administration Officer in the Hobart office, but has since been appointed the Business Services Team Leader and more recently the role of Risk and Compliance Manager.  In this capacity, Jemma assists Ed in overseeing the Business Services Team, managing and mitigating identified risks as well as overseeing a number of Thrive Group’s critically important registers and documents including the operational risk register, insurance reporting and delivering the internal audit program.

Jemma has worked in Early Education and Care on and off since 2009 as a Family Day Care Educator and following that, Canteen Manager of the local school – both of which have given her strong insight into how children’s education and care really does take a whole community approach.

Jemma has previously completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts, several accounting and marketing units through the University of Tasmania and also her Certificate III in Business Administration. She also has a keen interest in Tasmanian history and has volunteered at the Cascades Female Factory where she conducted many transcriptions of early convict records.

As Thrive Group’s Risk and Compliance Manager, Jemma is dedicated to overseeing compliance with all legal and regulatory frameworks and enjoys sharing her passion for documentation, legislation and risk assessments with her (sometimes slightly less enthusiastic!) fellow staff.