Delivering growth in high potential sectors: Do world-class skills hold the key?

WorldSkills UK CEO

Ben brings a wealth of experience to his role, having worked in senior policy positions in  government before joining WorldSkills UK in 2014 and becoming Deputy Chief Executive in 2019.

He combines a deep understanding of the UK and International skills landscape and its importance to UK competitiveness with a commitment to ensuring that young people have access to the best possible opportunities to develop their skills and reach their full potential.

An independent member of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education’s (IFATE’s) Assessment Panel. He also sits on the WorldSkills International Competition Working Group and is part of the Board of WorldSkills Europe, ensuring the UK is at the forefront of global developments in skills training.

SVP Head of Public Affairs UK, Airbus

Oriel is the SVP Head of Public Affairs UK at Airbus. She has previously worked as the Director for UK Trade and Investment (now Department for International Trade) France at the British Embassy in Paris from August 2015 to August 2019. Prior to this role, she has had a varied career across Whitehall as a British civil servant.

Chief Product Officer, UCAS

Fiona worked in the higher education sector for ten years as an international specialist, before joining UCAS as the Head of International Strategy in October 2013. Following this, Fiona headed up UCAS’ national partnerships before progressing to the Executive team as Interim Director of Analysis and Insights – and subsequently being appointed as the Director of Operations, looking after core operations and customer experience.

In 2020 Fiona took on leadership for the UCAS Digital Transformation and wider UCAS change programme, including taking the lead on the admissions reform agenda and has now moved into the role of Chief Product Officer.

Fiona has a degree in law and business from the University of Birmingham.

Head of Education, Centre for Policy Studies

Mark is Head of Education at the CPS. Prior to this he was a Special Adviser at the Department for Education. A third-generation teacher, Mark taught maths in secondary schools before leading the successful campaign for a new school in Bedford. He was Principal of Bedford Free School between 2012 and 2017, and since then has run Parents & Teachers for Excellence, the New Schools Network, and the Campaign for Common Sense.

Chief Executive, UK Screen Alliance

Neil has been involved with UK Screen as a director right from its inception in 2004. His background is in broadcast post-production where he was an editor/MD/owner for 20 years and he was a pioneer of non-linear editing. He was appointed CEO in 2016 and is the organisation’s principal spokesperson and policy advocate.