Stewart Segal appointed AELP CEO

The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) has appointed FE funding specialist Stewart Segal as its next chief executive.

Segal will replace Graham Hoyle OBE, who is retiring in August after helping to build the AELP to become a leading voice in the sector, representing providers that train more than two-thirds of the country’s apprentices.

Commenting on his appointment, Segal said: “AELP has made tremendous progress over the last few years in building the credibility of independent training providers in the FE and skills sector. I hope I can play my part in taking that forward over the next few years as we face the current challenges within the sector.

“We know that there is pressure on government funding but we are now seeing an apprenticeship programme that is getting the recognition and credibility that it deserves.  These major improvements have been delivered by effective professional training providers responding to employer and learner needs. That is what will drive even further improvements in the sector.

“I am very confident that we will continue to ensure that training providers can deliver welfare-to-work and skills programmes that will support the drive for economic and social success.”

Segal has nearly 20 years of experience in the government funded training sector, where he has held a range of senior roles including CEO of training provider Spring Skills.

AELP chairman Martin Dunford OBE said: “We conducted a very thorough search and selection process which attracted an extremely high calibre field of over fifty candidates and the AELP Board and I are delighted that Stewart is taking over as CEO.

“He has extensive experience of direct delivery of training as well as his knowledge of the policymaking roles of the key stakeholders. This is a challenging time for training providers with reducing budgets and a range of reviews and recommendations on the future of skills funding while the effectiveness of the Work Programme is also under scrutiny.

“Stewart has been involved in the major improvements made in the sector in terms of responsiveness and quality and we know he will take that agenda forward. AELP has an important role to play in shaping the skills and employment agenda for the future and Stewart will work with our partners to ensure that we remain focused on delivering high quality training provision to employers and learners.”

Natalie Thornhill