Executive Team
Click on a member of the executive team below to find out more about them.
Click on a member of the executive team below to find out more about them.
Chief Technology Officer
David has worked in the internet industry since the early 1990’s when he co-founded one of the UK’s first full-service digital marketing agencies, personally working with technology companies including Intel, Microsoft and Cisco. Exiting his first business in 2004, he became an internet and social entrepreneur, dedicated to using innovation and technology to improve society. As an ex apprentice himself, he is excited to be working with the Association with its focus to ensure all apprentices successfully complete their apprenticeship, and move into fulfilling long-term careers.
Member Services Director
Fiona has had a varied career spent largely in engagement, governance and operational roles. She spent 10 years at City & Guilds where she became Head of Corporate Affairs holding responsibility for corporate governance as well as managing all senior external relationships. She has also been Head of Secretariat at the Fishmongers’ Company (a City of London guild) overseeing governance and charitable activity, Senior Programme Manager to the Lord Mayor of London and Chief of Staff in a private family office. Fiona has a degree from Nottingham University and a PhD from Copenhagen University.
Marketing Manager
Sophia has extensive experience in both B2B and B2C marketing and business development. After taking extended parental leave, Sophia decided to pursue a career in the third sector; volunteering as a copywriter for Nurture the Children, and joining the Association. Sophia has a BA in Comparative Literature & Linguistics from Queen Mary, University of London, advocates for the awareness of Hyperemesis Gravidarum and enjoys board games, eating out, and treating karaoke like a competition.
Community Manager
Rachel has over 15 years’ experience in the education sector holding several roles in Teaching, Curriculum Lead and Academy Management, before joining the Association of Apprentices.
In her role as Community Manager, Rachel is responsible for facilitating and instigating community engagement, ensuring members receive a high quality member service and have the support they need to move forward in their career paths.
She enjoys keeping fit through dance and walking in the lovely Derbyshire countryside.
Kym joined AoA in May 2024 as Partnerships Manager. Kym came from Amazon where she started the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (with Manchester Metropolitan University) and will complete it in 2025 while with AoA. Kym has 3 years’ experience in Logistics and 14 years’ experience in retail and hospitality alongside events management.
Kym is also mum to two daughters and in her spare time enjoys days out with friends and family.
Chief Executive Officer
Emily has over 25 years’ experience as a Talent specialist, with over 12 years in Early Careers and Apprenticeships. She was previously Head of Apprenticeships for Lloyds Banking Group and a Client Director at Capita Learning. Emily joined the Association in 2020, taking on the role of CEO in 2022 and is dedicated to supporting apprentices to achieve the best outcomes. Emily also works as a Director for the St Martin’s Group, a membership organisation set up to provide support to policymakers as they seek to create a world-class apprenticeship and skills system for the UK.
Jan is the CEO of Occupational Awards Limited, a Director of the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink and an FE College Governor. She has over 35 years’ experience in the education sector in strategic and operational management of training programmes with colleges, private training providers, local authorities the voluntary sector and not for profit organisations. Jan has previously been a board member of the Learning and Skills Council, chair of the North Yorkshire Training Provider network and Vice-Chair of Yorkshire Coast College and a Governor of the Grimsby Institute for Further and Higher Education. She has extensive experience of education policy, apprenticeships, qualification, and curriculum development as well as business improvement.
Jan joined OAL in 2019, a leading non-profit industry-focused Awarding and End-Point Assessment Organisation, supporting a wide range of employers and of key stakeholders to succeed and surpass expectations. Jan is committed to continuous improvement and enthusiastic about improving the effectiveness, impact and quality of apprenticeships, education, and training in the UK and internationally. She has a wide range of experience of working in a collaborative context with employers and training providers to develop End Point Assessment, apprenticeships, and a wide range of vocational programmes.
