VTCT Expands Senior Leadership Team in Preparation for New Phase of Growth

Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT), one of the UK’s largest technical and vocational training providers, has made two significant appointments to its senior leadership team.

Ashley Barnes has been promoted to the new post of Deputy CEO and Carina Fagan, the charity’s former Executive Director of Awarding, takes on Ashley’s previous role as Chief Academic Officer.

The changes underscore a period of ambitious growth for the awarding body, as VTCT expands its portfolio of more than 1,900 education centres and consolidates its current market share of 63% within the UK hair and beauty sector. A focus on developing the organisation’s core team at its Head Office in Eastleigh and new offices in Chiswick is also a key focus in the coming months.

Barnes joined the organisation ten years ago, and his expertise in awarding regulations and the changing nature of the vocational training landscape, will be critical in building the organisation’s profile ahead of the rollout of the Government’s T-Levels.

Barnes, speaking about his new role said: “This is an exciting time to be taking on the role of Deputy CEO at VTCT as we launch new and more advanced qualifications and expand our global outreach.

 “We want to continue to be the go to organisation for employers and training providers and the lead provider of hair and beauty education across the UK and globally, providing a best-in-class, end-to-end qualification solution for all occupations in the sector.”

Taking over from Barnes as Chief Academic Officer will be Carina Fagan, who will develop the organisation’s UK and international outreach and expansion, maintaining industry standards across multinational markets.

Alan Woods OBE, CEO of VTCT said:

“VTCT is very proud to recognise the achievements and commitments which Ashley and Carina have demonstrated in recent years, and I know that in their new roles they will continue to build on the good work done so far. Furthermore, as the Government takes forward its vocational and technical education reforms, it is imperative that the hair, beauty, barbering, hospitality and wellness industries have a voice on the national and international stage, and Ashley and Carina’s work will very much be a part of that mission.”