West Midlands Combined Authority further strengthens productivity and skills with appointment of Dr Fiona Aldridge

Research expert Dr @FionaAldridge joins @WestMids_CA to drive Skills Insight and Evaluation 

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has strengthened its Productivity & Skills directorate with the appointment of Dr Fiona Aldridge as Head of Skills Insight.

Fiona joins WMCA from Learning and Work Institute where, as Director for Policy & Research, she was responsible for leveraging the organisation as a credible and influential voice on learning, skills and employment.

At the WMCA Fiona will be leading a team who will provide detailed insight into the solutions needed to increase the region’s skills and productivity. This will include influencing the way in which the WMCA commissions its £130m Adult Education Budget. She will be supporting Dr Julie Nugent, the Director of Productivity and Skills. 

Dr Nugent said: “We are delighted to welcome Fiona to the team. Fiona is a highly committed senior leader with a strong track record in designing and delivering high quality research that has a positive impact on policy and practice.  

“We are looking forward to working together on innovative approaches and plans, which will ultimately get more people into jobs and provide better training that meets the needs of employers.”