As Raj’s line manager, I couldn’t be more proud that he has been recognised as Learning Developer of the Year 2025!

He has worked as a Digital Content Developer at the Henry Ford Academy (Calex UK) for 9 years, and part of my team for the past 7 years. We create all our own digital learning materials in house, and Raj is our specialist developer. He has a unique skillset and a role-model attitude and work ethic. He’s a great team player, working with subject experts to understand requirements, and respected by all the team for his skills and approach to work.

He proactively offers solutions to problems, even when the problems haven’t been brought to him. He has a great breadth of knowledge of technology, coding languages and tools, and if he is aware of a tool that would be a good match for a new requirement, he upskills himself to be able to use it.

“A consistency of innovation across whatever he is working on.” - Andy Davis, Head of Learning and Development

His ultimate goal is to create learning that truly makes a difference. Making solutions relevant and realistic – and at times emotional - for the learner ensures the learning embeds back in the workplace. There are many times that he has turned digital doubters into fans.

“All the projects I have worked on with Raj show innovation, by the simple fact that they have never been done before. He can conceptualise and choose an appropriate solution to demonstrate what a designer or SME requires.” - Alan Sutton, Technical Instructional Designer

As an example of his work, we showcased to the judges a simulation he developed for a workshop planning course. This simulation mimicked a day in an automotive workshop, where delegates must allocate customer job cards according to technicians’ capabilities, ensuring that servicing, MOTs and repairs are completed on time and technicians are utilised efficiently. All is straightforward until a technician calls in sick, unplanned work arrives, MOT failures and repairs need following up, and the phone rings constantly. Delegates must make quick and effective decisions in order to complete the customers’ work on time. The clock is ticking, and the pressure is felt! Feedback has been tremendous, with delegates telling us it’s the most realistic activity to actually being in the workshop.

This is just one example of an extensive portfolio of solutions. Raj’s best ideas come from collaborating with subject experts and removing creative boundaries. His innovations range from 3D and 360 simulations of vehicle components, augmented reality showing energy flow in an electric vehicle, memory card games, electrical circuit testing, cost of ownership calculators, AI assistants, and a Christmas market with new learning ‘stalls’ appearing daily.

More than just a talented developer, Raj is a genuine and kind human being. Outside of work, he runs a computing class at weekends for local children, teaching them how to code and build games and apps. This gives them a great sense of achievement and has been instrumental in improving their self-confidence, which has in turn been reflected back at school.

I received many comments from colleagues and clients when I was preparing the awards submission, which demonstrate the affection and high regard they have for Raj, and this final quote sums it up perfectly.

“Raj is the best of us - present, interested, never stops learning, humble, patient and kind. He never shouts about his achievements and rarely takes the credit for his efforts, but he does take an enormous amount of pride in every single project.” - Alan Bartrum, Dealer Enablement Manager, Ford of Europe

 

We have made a short video to introduce you to Raj, in his own words: 

 

 

Kate Hudson 

Design and Innovation Manager at Henry Ford Academy (Calex UK)