Our People

AELP London’s Advisory Board and Operational Team are responsible for working with members to set and deliver a strategy that effectively support skills and employment delivery in the Capital.
Our People

The AELP London Advisory Board

The AELP London Advisory Board is populated by representatives from across each of London’s regions.

The Board has responsibility for setting strategic direction, supporting operational delivery and promoting high quality service delivery.

The Board is chaired by Nichola Hay.

Nichola Hay MBE
Nichola Hay MBE

AELP London Advisory Board Chair

Chief Operating Officer

Nichola Hay is an expert in post 16 education in the public and private sector and has over 20 years training experience.

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Crawford Knott
Crawford Knott

AELP London Board Member

Managing Director at Hawk Training

Crawford joined Hawk Training in 2001 and has worked in both a training and commercial capacity.

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Ashley McCaul
Alexis Michaelides

AELP London Board Member

Managing Director at Big Creative Education

Alexis is the founder of the Big Creative Education group which supports over 600 students and apprentices across the creative industries.

Steven Mitchell
Steven Mitchell

AELP London Board Member

Director of Research Innovation and Development at Skills Training UK

Steven has led Skills Training UK towards a number of quality milestones and currently attends as a member of the AELP Quality Forum.

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Asi Panditharatna
Asi Panditharatna

AELP London Board Member

Divisional Director at Forward Trust

Asi has over 20 years’ experience as a manager and leader in the post 16 skills, apprenticeships, training and employability industry.

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Stephen Jeffery
Stephen Jeffery

AELP London Board Member

Chief Executive Officer at London Learning Councils

Through Stephen’s leadership, London Learning Consortium (LLC) is now one of the UK’s leading Third Sector skills Consortia.

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Operational Management

AELP London’s day-to-day operations are managed by Jane Hickie, who is supported by Chief Policy Officer, Simon Ashworth; Devolution Director, Harminder Matharu; and Communications Lead, John Ashworth.

In addition, AELP London is supported by the AELP Head Office infrastructure.

Jane Hickie
Jane Hickie

Chief Executive

Jane Hickie joined AELP in November 2016 as Chief Operating Officer and is responsible for the provision of a coordinated support service for AELP.

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Simon Ashworth
Simon Ashworth

Chief Policy Officer

Simon has worked for a number of training providers across a number of business functions, including quality, curriculum development, supply chain management and direct delivery.

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Rebecca Durber
Rebecca Durber

Regional Engagement Manager

John Ashworth
John Ashworth

Communications Lead

John is an award-winning communications professional with over 15 years’ experience of designing and delivering strategies that support the delivery of public services.

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