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.
Lindsay joined the Association of Apprenticeships in 2026 as Chief Executive, with a clear goal to create a professional home for every apprentice in the UK, ensuring every apprentice has access to the community, development and recognition they deserve.
Having begun her own career as an apprentice, Lindsay brings over 20 years’ experience across education and skills, alongside a deeply held commitment to ensuring apprentices feel valued, supported and proud of the path they choose.
Previously, Lindsay led nationally significant change to improve the visibility and parity of apprenticeships within the education system, including securing their inclusion in the UCAS Tariff.
Beyond her professional roles, Lindsay has served as a school governor across a range of settings, with a notable focus on specialist provision, and she regularly volunteers her time supporting young people with careers advice, applications and interview preparation.
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.
Partnerships Manager
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 completed while with AoA in July 2025. She has started the Senior Leader Apprenticeship with York St John in December 2025. 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 in a neurodiverse household and in her spare time enjoys days out with friends and family.
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.
Sarah brings extensive experience in developing long-term partnerships, with a background in Hospitality and Education sectors. Her career has been defined by a passion for connecting people and building collaborative relationships that create meaningful impact.
As Business Development Manager Sarah is responsible for engaging with key stakeholders to develop strategic partnerships that support AoA’s mission: to reach and support every apprentice across the UK on their journey.
Outside of work, Sarah is a devoted mum to her young son. She enjoys spontaneous Road trips, Glowstick raves, and exploring the outdoors through adventurous Park Safaris.
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.
