Managing Director

James McConnell

Direct Dial

0333 22 00 705

Connect

Background

James is the founder and leader of our Brookhouse family. He started his career as a carpenter and joiner – which comes in handy for the never ending improvements and refurbishments he constantly thinks up for the training centre. Eventually, James switched from boots to suits as he moved to the IT industry to work in a sales and marketing position.
His successful career path since then has equipped him well to run a business, while his passion for education allowed James to identify a gap in the market – training responsible, knowledgeable gas engineers.

He says about Brookhouse: “I love that we genuinely make a difference to the lives of people who embark on a new career with us. And internally, the staff are all amazing, it’s so friendly and laid back here, yet professional in every way. I have a saying that I run this business by: “We are big enough to matter, but small enough to care.”

An avid golfer after hours, James is also a die-hard Leeds United fan. He likes house music and festivals – you would never guess that he learned to mix and DJ in his raving days! You can also get a glimpse into his second-life as a hobby chef here: https://www.jamesmcconnell.me

The reason we have the reputation of being the best gas training centre in the UK, we give our students what they need to work competently with gas, not what is easiest and quickest for us to deliver.

kkk kkk

15:43 07 Jul 24

Stop thinking about doing the course and get it done.I was a hgv driver for over 15 years no experience in plumbing and gas and was threatening to do the course for a while just wish I had done it sooner.Please don't think u can just attend and pass coz u can't. If u put the work in and study u can pass and succeed. There was times on the course I was thinking how am I going to pass this and wish I hadn't of started it. But after the placement and studying it all sinks in trust. My tutor Chris is a top guy helped with anything I don't understand. Placement was very good I got took on straight away after passing my acs. It took me all in 6 months so it can be done. So it's been just over a year now that I've been employed, the company I work for have paid me to do cookes/fires/Lpg all qualified now. Also I have been doing some jobs of my own aswell. Get it done 5 STAR 100%

Michael Greenwood

11:03 26 Jun 24

I left the Royal Marines after 15 years, having only ever known one employment. The gulf between careers seemed massive.Brook house bridged that gap perfectly. The staff all have a genuine investment in your success.The training and facilities are excellent and leave you well prepared for what you will encounter on site.The work placement was brilliant and selected with care to put you in a strong position to complete your portfolio and ACS.Upon completion Brook house provided advice and support to help me find employment…. 3 days later I was employed.I can’t thank the team enough…well worth it !!

Daniel Croft

18:57 23 May 24

Can't fault this place at all. It was a great place to learn, the tutors were very knowledgeable and patient. It is a fast paced course especially if you have no previous plumbing/gas experience, but if you take their advice to revise and read the books provided it makes it a lot easier to take it all in.My placement was a bit up and down. My placement was cancelled at the last minute but BTC had set me up with another but this could only be for a month. During that month BTC had kept on it and arranged a permanent placement who I am now fully employed with. Cheers Tim. When on placement I needed to get in contact with my tutor for a couple of questions. He was easy to get hold of and was happy to help. Cheers John.All in all I am very happy that I chose Brookhouse and would recommend to anyone.Thank you all at BTC

Ben Andrew

11:41 18 May 24

Best decision I've made with my life.I qualified in around 7 months and got a job with British Gas immediately after passing. The instructors were great, really knew their stuff.Portfolio jobs were marked off by staff usually within a week. Guaranteed placement was good but there were a few issues such as not doing enough gas jobs but it was sorted by brookhouse.£7,000, leaving a job and 6 months unpaid training is a big decision to make. It paid off massively for me. I've now got a career I love, a large payrise and a job I enjoy.A few tips-Study hard, it's a fast paced course.-Have a plan of what you want too do after, I'd recommend employment after. 6 months isn't enough to go self employed I feel.-worth getting accommodation so you can focus on course.