The Skills and Education Group is a purpose-led organisation committed to improving lives through further education, skills development, and social impact.Operating as a federated group, we bring together three regulated awarding organisations; Skills and Education Group Awards, BIIAB, and Skills and Education Group Access as well as a membership organisation and charitable foundation that invests in professional development, grant funding, and inclusion. We work across the UK to support providers, employers, and communities through high-quality qualifications, accreditation, and services that promote lifelong learning and workforce readiness. Our members include colleges, independent training providers, charities, and adult education services, all united by a shared belief in the power of education to drive opportunity. Following a period of renewal, we are focused on delivering financial sustainability, high quality products & services, governance reform, and a clearer, more effective group structure.We are rebuilding an inclusive, high-performing culture that reflects our values - ambition, people-first, and solution-focused - and places quality and integrity at the heart of our offer.Together, we are creating a sustainable, trusted organisation that supports positive change across the further education, and skills sector.

About the role

The Chief Executive (CE) will lead Skills and Education Group through a crucial period of organisational transformation and development - driving financial stability and renewed growth, governance reform, and strategic recovery across a federated, purpose-led group. With oversight of regulated awarding organisations, membership services, and our charitable foundation, the CE will ensure that the newly approved strategic ambition setting out our vision, values, and impact remain central to everything we do.Reporting to the Board, the CE will be responsible for setting clear priorities, strengthening operational delivery, and rebuilding confidence both internally and externally. The role requires a confident and capable leader - able to navigate complexity, lead through change, and engage credibly with regulators, funders, and partners. Working closely with trustees, the leadership team, staff, and wider stakeholders, the CE will foster a culture of inclusion, ambition, and high performance, while ensuring that our services remain relevant, trusted, and socially impactful.

The CEO will act as both a strategic leader and an operational anchor - guiding recovery efforts, nurturing partnerships, and providing confidence to regulators, staff, and the wider education sector. This is a key appointment at a time of renewal. It offers the opportunity to shape the Group’s future direction and ensure it is well positioned to serve the post-16 education sector for years to come.