Rod Doyle
Co-founder and Director, TESS Group
Rod co-founded TESS Group in 2009 and leads its AI programme strategy. He personally built Coachy, the EPA-safe AI tutor (powered by Claude) included with every TESS AI apprenticeship, and writes about the operational side of running an Ofsted Good apprenticeship provider properly: funding rules, EPA outcomes, and what AI actually changes in workplace training.
Under his direction TESS has trained 10,000+ learners with a 72% distinction rate at EPA against a UK average of about 33%.
Writing
Rod's analysis appears on the TESS blog, covering AI model launches and their meaning for UK employers, the Growth & Skills Levy, and building AI capability in non-technical teams.
Talk to TESS →Ask Rod about
AI apprenticeship design
How the Level 4 AI and Automation Practitioner is built for non-technical teams, why TESS embeds up to five qualifications, and how Coachy keeps learners EPA-safe.
Funding and the Growth and Skills Levy
What changed on 1 August 2026, the 12-month expiry, levy transfer and 95% SME co-investment. Start with the funding guide.
Outcomes and how they are measured
Distinction rates, EPA pass rates and review counts, published with methodology on the outcomes page and summarised on Why TESS for AI apprenticeships.
Press and speaking
Rod comments on UK AI apprenticeships, AI adoption in the workplace and apprenticeship policy. Email rod.doyle@thetessgroup.com; replies within one working day.