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Association of Apprentices Announces Lindsay Conroy as New CEO to Lead Next Phase of Growth

09/10/2025

Photo of Lindsay (left) and Emily (right)
Picture by Clint Randall www.pixelprphotography.co.uk

Association of Apprentices announces new CEO to lead next phase of growth. The Association of Apprentices (AoA) has announced that Lindsay Conroy will become its next Chief Executive Officer, taking up the role as part of a planned leadership transition supported by current CEO Emily Rock.

Under Emily’s leadership, the AoA has grown into a trusted national voice for apprentices, building a strong membership base, influential partnerships, and a platform that champions apprentice success. As the organisation enters a new phase of growth and influence, Emily has decided the time is right to hand over to new leadership, while working closely with Lindsay to ensure a smooth transition until January 2026. Emily will continue her work in apprenticeships and skills through The St Martin’s Group and by supporting a range of organisations in the sector. She remains closely aligned to the Association.

Peter Estlin, Chair of the Board, said: “On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Emily for her outstanding leadership in establishing AoA as the national voice for apprentices. Her commitment has built a strong foundation and a respected platform for the future. We are delighted to welcome Lindsay as our next CEO. She brings deep experience, proven credibility, and a clear vision for growth. With Lindsay at the helm, AoA is well placed to expand its reach and impact, ensuring apprenticeships continue to thrive and contribute to the prosperity of communities and employers across the country.”

Emily Rock, outgoing CEO, said: “Leading AoA has been an immense privilege. Together with our members, partners and supporters, we’ve built AoA into a strong national voice for apprentices and established a platform that truly champions their success. As we enter a new phase of exciting growth, I feel this is the right moment to hand over. I am proud to be supporting Lindsay through the transition and confident that under her leadership, AoA will go from strength to strength, helping apprentices to flourish across the country.”

Lindsay Conroy, incoming CEO, said: “I am honoured to be appointed as the next CEO of AoA. Apprenticeships have been part of my story for 25 years and apprentices will remain at the heart of everything AoA does as we embark on this exciting next phase. Building on the exceptional work Emily has done to establish AoA as a community for apprentices, I am determined to amplify their collective voice – across government, employers, and providers – to shape policy and create a system that truly works for apprentices.”

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Jan Richardson-Wilde

CEO, Occupational Awards Limited

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.