22 October 2025
Skills and Education Group, a purpose-driven organisation committed to improving lives through education and skills, is pleased to announce three pivotal appointments to its leadership team: a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a new Chair of the Skills and Education Group, and a new Chair of Skills and Education Group Awards and BIIAB.
These appointments mark a critical step in the Group’s ongoing transformation, reinforcing its commitment to governance reform, financial sustainability, and strategic focus.
New Chief Executive Officer
Emma Beal has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer, joining the Group from Northern College.
Emma brings over 25 years of experience in educational leadership with a focus on inclusion. Her expertise includes strategic change, quality assurance, and policy development in further education and local government. With a strong record of securing funding and leading transformative projects, she is well placed to guide Skills and Education Group through its current phase of transformation, ensuring the Group’s vision and values remain central to its work.
Reporting to the Board, the CEO will play a key role in driving recovery efforts, fostering vital partnerships, and positioning the Group as a sector leader in inclusive, high-quality qualifications and support services.
Speaking of her appointment, Emma said:
I am excited to be joining the Skills and Education Group as their new CEO. I look forward to working with trustees, staff and stakeholders to ensure that Skills and Education Group continue to build on their strong foundations and is well placed to improve lives through education and skills development
New Chair of Skills and Education Group
Skills and Education Group is delighted to announce the appointment of Jonathan Kerry, Chief Executive and Diocesan Secretary at the Diocese of Leicester, as the new Chair of Skills and Education Group.
This vital role will provide strategic oversight and governance leadership for the entire organisation, focusing on simplifying its structure and enhancing its offer across its portfolio, which includes Skills and Education Group Awards, BIIAB, and Skills and Education Group Access.
Speaking of his appointment, Jonathan said:
I am excited to be joining the Team at Skills and Education Group as we build for a secure and successful future where we can continue to support those seeking to develop their skills, knowledge and life opportunities.
New Chair of Skills and Education Group Awards and BIIAB
We also welcome Anthony Blackman as the new Chair of Skills and Education Group Awards and BIIAB.
This separate and crucial role will provide dedicated leadership and governance oversight for the regulated awarding organisations within Skills and Education Group, ensuring high standards of compliance and quality assurance.
Speaking on his appointment, Anthony said:
I am privileged to be joining as chair of Skills and Education Group Awards and BIIAB. They offer a wide range of qualifications and a long history of success. I am looking forward to being part of their journey to grow and help more people obtain the skills and knowledge to unlock new opportunities. We will do this whilst maintaining the high-quality we are known for. The future is very bright for us.
A New Chapter for the Skills and Education Group
Skills and Education Group remains dedicated to championing social impact and improving lives through education and skills development.
The appointments of our new CEO and Chairs come at a time of significant renewal for the Skills and Education Group.
The individuals possess the integrity, ambition, and experience needed to lead our values-led organisation through the next chapter of development, supporting our partners to make an impact in the sector.
About the Skills and Education Group
Skills and Education Group is a purpose-driven organisation dedicated to championing social impact and improving lives through education and skills. The Group includes regulated awarding organisations, Skills and Education Group Awards, BIIAB, Skills and Education Group Access, and a Charitable Foundation.
The Group’s services support lifelong learning and workforce readiness across the UK, driven by its core values: being ambitious, having people at its heart, and being solution focused. The Group’s current focus is on being a strategic and trusted, high-quality partner in the FE and Skills sector.
About Emma Beal
Emma is an experienced leader with over 25 years of expertise across a broad range of educational areas, with a particular focus on securing educational inclusion. As a dynamic leader, Emma is dedicated to driving social change and inclusion through strategic vision and practical solutions. As Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Northern College for Adults, Emma focused on securing a stable future for the organisation and ensuring high-quality learning and skills training for adults.
Emma’s career is distinguished by a strong background in strategic change, quality assurance and practice development, working across further education and local government. Her expertise spans a range of education policy areas, including adult skills, safeguarding, alternative provision, and technical curriculum development. Emma has a proven track record in securing funding and delivering transformative projects.
Emma’s work is characterised by a commitment to social justice, lifelong learning, and empowering individuals to achieve their potential.
About Jonathan Kerry
Jonathan has served as the Chief Executive of the Diocese of Leicester since 2011, following a career predominantly in the third sector. He has extensive experience in charity governance across fields including education, health, international development and publishing and chairs the board of the annual Leicester Comedy Festival.
Jonathan was a Governor of Leicester College from 2013-23 and Chair for six of those years; he also served on the Board of the Association of Colleges. Since 2022 he has served as an Independent Governor at De Montfort University with a special brief for their Apprenticeship provision and is also a member of the Audit & Risk Committee.
About Anthony Blackman
Anthony brings many years of experience in qualifications and awarding organisations – as a Chief Examiner, writer, and Chartered Educational Assessor, as well as through his work at board level. He currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and Chair of its awarding organisation.
Anthony is also a Lay Member of the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses, Vice-Chair of the Scottish Geology Trust, and a Lay Board Member of the Family Mediation Standards Board, where he chairs both the Training Panel and a Complaints Panel. In addition, he is a Trustee of the Road Safety Trust and the Association of Chairs. Anthony recently completed five years on the Chartered Insurance Institute’s Education and Learning Committee and, in 2017, founded his own training company.
