Transparency data

Summary of the board meeting held on 2 July 2025

Published 25 September 2025

Applies to England

Protective marking

Official

Attendees and presenters

Board member attendees

• Phil Smith CBE (Chair)
• Sir David Bell (Vice Chair)
• Dr Fiona Aldridge
• Dr Fazal Dad CBE
• Sian Elliott
• Nicki Hay MBE
• Brian Holliday
• Anthony Impey MBE
• Dame Fiona Kendrick
• Zoe Lewis CBE
• Sara Todd
• Andy Westwood
• Helen Woodward Davies
• Tessa Griffiths CBE (CEO)
• Sarah Maclean CBE (CEO)
• Gemma Marsh

Skills England officials present

• Lucy Rigler, Deputy Director Corporate Governance and Performance
• (Board Secretary)

Other stakeholders attending

• Baroness Smith of Malvern (item 1 only)
• Rosie Milton, Deputy Director, Skills System (DfE Skills Group)
• Head of Skills England and ITB Sponsorship team (DfE Skills Group)

Apologies

• None

Item 1: welcome, introductions and declarations of conflict of interest

Lead: Skills England Chair

1. Phil Smith, (Chair) welcomed board members and participating officials to the meeting and asked attendees to introduce themselves.

2. The Chair asked board members whether they had any new declarations of conflict of interest to make. All board members recognised that should a potential or actual conflict arise by virtue of their other interests (outlined in the declaration of interests) then it must be raised at the outset of the relevant meeting. Andy Westwood confirmed he had taken up an unpaid role as a policy fellow at the Post 18 Project.

3. Minister Smith joined the meeting to welcome board members and outline the Government’s skills priorities and how Skills England can contribute to these priorities. The Chair thanked the Minister for her time and invited her to attend future meetings.

Item 2. Confirmation of the board terms of reference

Lead: Skills England Chair

1. The Chair highlighted the draft terms of reference which had been included in the papers. The Chair explained that he had asked for a set of principles to be included with the papers which he had used successfully before. These will be included as information papers for each meeting.

2. Board members discussed the draft terms of reference included with the papers. They highlighted areas where they would welcome further/contextual detail or information, for example, in terms of their contribution to relevant sub-committees or groups and what and how board members could do to support Skills England to achieve its objectives.

3. Board members agreed to return to the terms of reference in 6 months’ time, and the Chair asked board members for them to reflect on the way they would like to work.

Item 3. Skills England vision and mission

Lead: Skills England Chair

1. The Chair opened the item and asked the joint CEOs to set out the vision and mission for the organisation. The CEOs set out the three high-level pillars of ‘understand’, ‘simplify’ and ‘co-create’. Board members welcomed this approach.

2. Board members discussed workforce and skills issues across different sectors and also whether there were other factors at play, for example, barriers to demand. Board members were keen to test and review solutions ahead of implementation and welcomed the opportunity to consider the data and intelligence in more detail. They were keen to understand how data, evidence and insights would be brought together to cohere solutions.

3. Board members concluded that it was important that Skills England understood its audience and was able to communicate clearly. Board members were keen to understand how we will bring stakeholders into the conversation, demonstrating its desire to collaborate to co-create the products and approaches. 

Item 4. Skills England remit, activity and proposed deliverables

Lead: Skills England CEOs

1. The CEOs opened the item by summarising all that colleagues had achieved in establishing Skills England, noting we had met the Government’s commitment to have Skills England operational within a year of the General Election. The CEOs noted that there was a step-change in interactions with other government departments, evidenced by the engagement and contribution to the Industrial Strategy.

2. The CEOs highlighted the delivery priorities for the next 6 months. As part of the simplification objective, colleagues are reviewing the occupational standards to identify potential duplication, overlap and gaps. Skills England has also started work on co-creating skills packages for different sectors with industry. Colleagues had developed a blueprint using lessons learned from construction. This will inform our work on digital, defence and engineering (advanced manufacturing) sectors.

3. Board members questioned how and what they could do to support through leading sub-committees, for example. They also highlighted some of the challenges Skills England will face. In particular, sectors will need varying levels of support, and will face different challenges in ensuring opportunities are accessible to all.

4. Board members were keen to ensure Skills England continued to conduct ‘deep dives’ into sectors as part of this work to understand how apprenticeships and technical qualifications were being used. They asked for a visual illustration of the current landscape to better understand the products currently available.

5. The Chair thanked board members for their contributions, summarising the discussion and seeking confirmation that the priorities as set out were in line with board member expectations. Board members agreed with this summary.

6. The Chair asked the Deputy CEO to provide further detail on ‘place’. She set out the proposed role of Skills England as a convenor with the intention to co-create alongside Mayoral and Strategic Authorities, appropriate solutions and products to local challenges. The Deputy CEO confirmed Skills England would take this forward a new sub-group on place showing the importance of working through the lens of ‘place’. The DCEO also stated that this would not be the only way to engage and that place ran throughout all priorities. The Chair and board all agreed that this focus was so important and that local areas were key to ensuring creating solutions.

7. Board members welcomed this approach.

Item 5. Forward look and AOB

Lead: Skills England Chair

1. Board members considered the forward look. The Chair asked for board members to provide feedback to officials on items they wanted to be considered for a future agenda.

2. There was no AOB. The Chair thanked those attending for their contributions and confirmed the next meeting would be held on 17 September.