Leadership Team

Steve Connors

Director

  • I am a Certified Information Security Manager, and for my sins I have developed a particular expertise in information systems, governance, risk management and data privacy. I work closely with ISACA, for whom I was the lead developer for their publication - Privacy by Design and Default: A Primer, the author the GDPR Audit Program for SME’s and the CCPA Audit Program. I have also been a member of ISACA’s Privacy Advisory and Digital Trust Groups and present at national and international conferences on Cyber Security, SOC Reporting, Data Privacy and Supply Chain Assurance.

    I work with organisations to help them better understand their data and its value. This helps with the design and implementation of secure and effective data security and compliance strategies, specifically in relation to cyber & information security, data privacy and supply chain assurance programmes.

    Outside of the office I enjoy music, golf, motor sport, but most of all disappearing with the family including the dogs to the lakes and mountains at home and abroad.

    I have been a Director of Validera since 1997, and lead our Information Governance and Technology service offer. I also act as Head of Internal Audit for a range of Validera’s clients. My approach is one of working as an organisation’s critical friend, working together with clients in a supportive manner to improve their operations. I speak widely on a variety of Information Governance and related audit matters.

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Lee Glover

Director

  • I am a qualified Accountant, however, have specialised in internal audit since the beginning of my career which started within the in-house audit team of a FTSE100 company. I have since gained a broad range of experience from over 20 years in practice. I enjoy building professional relationships, working with my clients to help them better understand risk and improve their operations. I believe that internal audits role is pivotal to organisational success and work to further the reputation of internal audit as a profession as an active member and current Chairman of the ACCA Internal Audit Panel.

    Outside of the office I enjoy spending time with my extended family and friends. Since childhood I have enjoyed travelling and cars, for many years I was an active participant in navigational rallies, however, today its mostly just polishing and maintaining.

    I have been a Director of Validera since 2020, and lead our Internal Audit service offer. I act as Head of Internal Audit for a range of Validera’s clients who often compliment me for being able to identify issues, articulate risk and offer pragmatic solutions, to support their business journeys. My approach is one of working in partnership with my clients, building close relationships and acting in a supportive manner to improve their operations. I speak widely on a variety of internal audit related matters.

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Barry Potter

Director

  • I am a qualified Chartered Accountant. My client base covers companies with varying turnovers and operating in diverse business sectors.

    I am also involved with internal audit, performance management, business planning, grant claim certification and corporate governance.

    I was the founding partner of what is today, Validera. I oversee our Quality Assurance processes and lead back office support to enable our consultants to be able to focus on delivering the best possible service to our clients.

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Rob Hanley

Director

  • I am a qualified Accountant and completed my training with a mid-sized firm in Birmingham, which grew to become one of the largest accountancy practices in the UK. Whilst starting in external audit, I quickly specialised in internal audit, gaining experience across the public and not-for-profit sectors before I developed as a specialist within social housing. I enjoy building long-term, trusted relationships with clients, and I’ve developed great, enthusiastic teams that are passionate about the internal audit work they do.

    I’ve now over two decades of expertise leading and providing internal audit, risk management, regulatory compliance, governance and assurance to social housing providers of all sizes. I advised and guided them, using internal audits to help them with their challenges and to improve how they are governed and managed for the benefit of their residents.  Being able to make a real difference to organisations with values I share, and which do important work in our society is important to me.  

    Outside of work, I love getting outdoors and enjoy walking in the Shropshire Hills and surrounding countryside. I stay active with early morning runs most days, whatever the weather. I’m a keen home cook and love to dine out and try new places.

    I joined Validera as a Director in 2024 to help the firm’s growth strategy, develop the Internal Audit offer and grow our presence in the social housing sector, supporting the continued growth of the business.

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Karl Bentley

Director

  • I have worked in the FE skills sector for the last 28+ years having been one of the few to have worked in a provider running Apprenticeships in the nineties, working for the funding body in the early noughties and then for an audit firm for the last 19 years. I’ve worked on some of the more ‘interesting’ reviews over this time and have probably seen way more ILR data and supporting evidence than anyone would need to in a single lifetime.

    But life isn’t all about ILR data or whether an Apprenticeship Agreement has been completed correctly. Away from the joys of work you’ll probably find me either crate digging in record shops for that elusive original pressing grail soundtrack or punk/hardcore record, nodding my head at the back of a punk or hardcore show (too old for the pit these days), in a vintage collectable shop tracking down Star Wars toys or in the Skydome in Coventry watching ice hockey (a new vice which I fell into hard).

    I joined Validera as a Director in 2025 to lead their funding assurance offer to the FE and skills sector. We offer a range of compliance services across all the key funding streams as well as bespoke training on funding, compliance and PDSATs. Expect to be challenged robustly on data quality and compliance with the funding rules!

Karl Bentley Linkedin Profile

We do the right thing - act ethically, honesty, openly and with integrity

Validera strives to build lasting, valued relationships and to make a tangible and meaningful impact. It is our clients’ success that drives us and we are proactively committed to helping our clients and colleagues achieve their organisation and life goals in a passionate and authentic way.

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