The ERSA Board of Directors

Chair

Paul de Pellette

Chief Executive Officer, Triage

Paul has spent most of his career in the employability sector including 13 years with Ingeus, eventually leading its employability business across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, before joining Triage in 2019.

Paul says:
Employment support providers play a pivotal role in helping people at a time of need and ERSA represents everything that’s great about the sector – the sheer diversity of organisations and the collective knowledge they’ve gained. My experience means that I can see things from the perspective of most of our members and represent their views, the challenges they face and the solutions they bring.
Vice Chair

Naomi Ilagoswa

Director of Strategic Partnerships & External Projects, The Growth Company

Naomi has worked in the sector for nearly 15 years and is responsible for the integration and stakeholder engagement for employment, health and justice programmes in the North of England as well as managing bespoke projects such as the United for Ukraine campaign.

Naomi says:
I’m passionate about creating equitable opportunities for those who are under-represented in the labour market, and I believe ERSA is important as the voice of our sector, lobbying and creating change. I bring passion and knowledge to the Board, being able to speak as a subcontractor and a prime provider of services.
Board Member

Andrew Bell

Director of Public Affairs, Reed in Partnership

Andrew is a communications, policy and public affairs senior leader. His experience is rooted in roles across several high-profile organisations and in the full range of sectors: public, private and voluntary. In more recent years he has worked for major prime providers of employability services.

Andrew says:
The need for ERSA’s voice has never been greater. As government grapples with stubborn rates of economic inactivity and the very real barriers preventing people from getting into work, the solutions our sector provides have never been more relevant. I have a particular focus on ensuring that the value our members deliver day in, day out is understood by government and policymakers, and that we continue to grow the partnerships that deliver results for all.
Former ERSA Chair

Richard Clifton

Managing Director – Employability, Shaw Trust

Richard has worked in the employment services and skills sector since 1993, delivering every major government contract from New Deal to Work and Health Programme. He started his career supporting and advising jobseekers. Specialisms he brings to ERSA include VCSE, Disability Employment and Social Value.

Richard says:
I believe access to good work should be available to everyone. Being part of the sector that makes that happen is important to me and personally rewarding. ERSA gives a collective voice to drive change, innovation and success, which leads to more people accessing work. I bring a unique view from a charity that operates as a prime contractor for national and local government.
Board Member

Thomas Harley

Founder & CEO, Get Set UK

Thomas’s career began in New Zealand, working in employment services across both the public and private sectors before relocating and establishing Get Set UK. The company provides employment, skills, and health services to tens of thousands of people every year.

Thomas says:
I hope to bring my 20 years’ experience of the sector, along with my business development and operational management expertise, to bear in furthering our sector’s objectives in a practical and sustainable manner.
Board Member

Ian Ross

Chief Executive Officer, Whitehead-Ross Education

Ian founded Whitehead-Ross Education in 2012, which now employs 126 staff across South Wales and Southern England. A Swansea University graduate in Economics and qualified teacher, Ian has worked as a lobbyist and public affairs professional, FE Lecturer, and civil servant. He is a magistrate at Swansea Magistrates Court and South East Regional Chair for the Federation of Small Businesses.

Ian says:
As a sector, we need to be proactive in influencing change. I regularly meet with Government officials to highlight issues that need addressing. I want us to showcase the outstanding work our sector delivers and evidence why it is so crucial for proper investment in employability services.
Board Member

Safaraz Ali (Saf)

CEO | Founder, Multicultural Alliance & Awards | Festival of Apprenticeships

Since founding Pathway Group 22 years ago Saf has championed social mobility. He founded the Multicultural Apprenticeship Alliance & Awards to recognise the under-representation of BAME communities in apprenticeships.

Saf says:
ERSA is the voice of the sector – campaigning and influencing strategic policy to support jobseekers and low earners. In addition, its role is to drive best practice and be a support network for providers. I bring strategic insight and an operational perspective with the experience of setting up and growing a social enterprise business that has more than 130 employees, delivering in the skills and employability sectors.
Board Member

Caroline Fox

Chief Executive Officer, Twin Group

Caroline’s and Twin’s history in the sector began supporting UK assimilation for asylum seekers and groups like ex-offenders and families with multiple challenges. Twin has now moved into major employability programmes such as the Restart Scheme.

Caroline says:
The sector fulfils a genuine societal need so, for me, it’s a source of personal fulfilment and business opportunity. Its work is important politically, socially and economically yet, like other areas of public expenditure, must compete for political attention and budget. ERSA gives the sector a collective voice to Government policy makers about its needs and its value.

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