Trustees

Tom Wilson was the Director of Unionlearn, the education, learning and skills organisation of the TUC until 2015.

Prior to that, Tom had been Head of the Organisation and Services Department at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) from July 2003.

Ufi now has a major opportunity to focus on a single main objective, which is to produce a step change in adult learning and employability using learning technologies. I want the activities we fund to result in changes for the whole system, for all providers, and for the many thousands of learners involved in adult learning. We are intent on ensuring that our work makes a real and measurable difference.

Dominic is Managing Director of Intequal, a Microsoft Learning Partner delivering Digital Tech Apprenticeships and commercial IT training, and acts as Skills Policy Consultant to Microsoft UK.

Dom is also co-founder of a US-based apprenticeship consultancy and capacity building organisation called Franklin Apprenticeships.

Dom has worked with Microsoft since 2006 and founded Microsoft’s external Apprenticeship activity including the award-winning Microsoft Apprenticeship Program. Intequal, formerly IT Skills Management, was set up initially to provide an employer engagement function for the Microsoft Apprenticeship Program. However, reflecting Dominic’s interest in utilising technology to provide a more relevant experience to learners and employers, the company established a remotely delivered, instructor-led apprenticeship in conjunction with Microsoft using Microsoft collaborative technology. This approach enabled businesses and young people anywhere in the country to participate on the Microsoft Programs and included a pioneering way in which apprenticeships can be assessed using remote technology.

Franklin Apprenticeships is acting as a catalyst to drive quality and scale in US apprenticeships in non-traditional sectors using methods and best practice originated in the UK.

I am passionate about empowering young people and businesses to better understand and access career pathways, especially into such a vibrant and growing sector as digital technology. I am equally passionate about the need to evolve and develop new ways of learning that embrace technology and are more in line with how stakeholders utilise technology.

David leads Lloyd’s Register’s Digital Innovation commercial practice, harnessing digital technology to drive outcomes that deliver step changes in performance and delivery for our customers.

Currently based in London, David brings with him more than 35 Years of international leadership experience, having worked in Italy, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, USA, and India across blue chip telecoms and media organisations including BT, Verizon, Ericsson and ESPN.

While at BT, David launched the UK’s first public WiFi network and in recent years has led the development and delivery of a number of high profile Industrial IoT solutions across Automotive, Shipping, Energy, Retail and Smart Cities.

Digital has the potential to transform the skills of vocational learners that have failed to be engaged by the education system.

Alex is currently Director of BLA Brand & Marketing, specialising in helping brands talk about their sustainability work, and in turn encouraging customers to make more sustainable switches.

Alex built her career in food marketing at Ferrero, working across a number of confectionery brands before moving to M&S and leading various high profile campaigns. During her time at M&S, Alex was responsible for several charity partnerships, including Oxfam, Macmillan & Breast Cancer Now.

Alongside her consultancy work, Alex is supporting the founding of a local cooperative shop to support the health and wellbeing of her local community.

I’m delighted to be a Trustee for Ufi, I’m convinced it’s not just people who were good at school who can excel in their careers, and passionate about the impact good training can have on people’s livelihoods.

Jeff’s career in education and training began as a teacher in the South Wales Valleys, then as a civil servant developing the National Curriculum for Languages, before working in the private sector on European Vocational Education projects. Then in 1999, Jeff joined Ufi, as one of the first employees and remained for 17 years, managing Wales, then Northern Ireland, and finally as UK Operations Director.

Jeff maintains a keen interest in supporting adults in learning and is on the Board of the Learning and Work Institute, The Colleges of Wales and the Institute of Employment Professionals and Chairs Groundwork Wales.

Jeff remains a strong advocate for Equity and Inclusion within education and training and runs Ariege a consultancy company working with Education and Training Organisations in Europe and Africa.

Education is evolving at a faster pace than any other period in recent history.

In many ways returning to Ufi in this role I will be keen that we explore how emerging technologies, including analytics and artificial intelligence can deliver far greater understanding of student capabilities, and support new , more inclusive approaches to teaching, learning and advice and guidance.