Secretary of State reappoints Institute board members for three more years

The Insitute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (the Institute) is delighted to announce four reappointments to our board.

Dame Fiona Kendrick, Dr Kate Barclay, Robin Millar CBE, and Bev Robinson OBE have all played vital roles with steering the Institute from a start-up to the leading authority for high-quality employer-led skills training that it is today.

They were originally appointed in 2017 for a five-year term finishing at the end of March this year.

The Secretary of State for Education, Nadhim Zahawi, has now decided to reappoint them for a further three years until April 2025.

Nadhim said: “It gives me great pleasure to announce the reappointment of Dame Fiona Kendrick, Dr Kate Barclay, Robin Millar CBE, and Bev Robinson OBE to the board. They have all played a huge role in driving forward the work of the Institute and shaping the future of technical education in this country for generations to come.  I know their continued support will ensure the Institute goes from strength to strength.”

Institute chair Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith said:

“It’s fantastic that Dame Fiona, Kate, Robin, and Bev will all be staying with us until at least 2025. Their contribution has already been immense, and I look forward to leading the Institute with them onto even greater things.”

Dame Fiona Kendrick, former chairman and chief executive officer of Nestlé UK&I, is deputy chair of the Institute’s board and chair of the PWC Public Interest Body. She has three honorary doctorates in recognition for her work in the skills arena and has been awarded the Chartered Management Institute Gold Medal for Leadership.

She said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been asked to stay on for a further term as deputy chair. The Institute has grown and matured over the past five years and now plays a pivotal role in the government’s change agenda set to drive the future skills of our country. I remain passionate about the journey ahead and confident that the Institute will remain an authoritative voice delivering quality apprenticeships and T Levels.”

Robin Millar is chair of disability charity Scope and Blue Raincoat Chrysalis Group. He is a world-famous music producer, an honorary professor at the London College of Music, and a fellow of the Association of Professional Recording Services. He was a member of the UK Human Genetics Commission and has served on the Creative Industries Sector Skills Council, National Skills Academy and with the Creative and Cultural Skills.

He said: “The Institute has played a vital part in transforming the lives of over a million people and in the success of thousands of businesses and organisations. I can’t wait to get stuck into the next part of the adventure.”

Bev Robinson is principal and chief executive of Blackpool and The Fylde College.  She served on the Independent Panel for the Review of Post 18 Education and Funding, which produced the Augar report, and was a member of the Independent Panel on Technical Education chaired by Lord Sainsbury.  Bev is a member of the Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership Skills and Employment Advisory Panel, and Blackpool Town Board.

She said: “I’m really looking forward to continuing to contribute to the Institute and the development of technical and professional education in England, as a member of the board, which is much needed to drive UK productivity.”

Dr Kate Barclay is a Chartered Chemical Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers with over 25 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry across advanced commercial manufacturing and early clinical R&D. As a scientific leader Kate currently works with innovative biotech SMEs, sits on the Board of North Hertfordshire College and is a member of the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Skills and Employment Advisory Panel.

She said: “I believe passionately that everyone should have access to good jobs and fulfilling careers and since the outset, the Institute has played a pivotal role in setting up an apprenticeship and technical education system with employers and learners at the heart. It has been an incredible transformation that I have been proud to play my part in and I feel the biggest challenges are yet to come, so being able to continue to represent the voice of employers is central.”

The Secretary of State will consider the appointment of up to two new board members from 1 April, following the current recruitment competition the Department for Education is conducting.