On 21 November 2025, the inaugural meeting of the UVAC Executive Leaders’ Network brought together senior figures from higher education, sector bodies and industry to discuss and address the UK’s evolving skills landscape.

The day opened with remarks from Dr. Mandy Crawford Lee, UVAC Chief Executive, and James Farr, Managing Director of Think (the event’s sponsors), who jointly set the tone for forward-looking discussions on skills policy and workforce development. Throughout the day this was realised as attendees engaged in animated cross-sector dialogue.

A panel event ‘Identifying priorities in the shifting skills landscape’ featuring insights from Jane Hadfield(NHS England), Patrick Milnes (British Chambers of Commerce), and Becca Thurston (YTL UK & Wessex Water) highlighted the urgent need for collaboration between education providers and employers, and seamless and flexible training routes from 16 years of age onwards, to meet emerging talent demands.

The event also showcased the work of our members through a series of case studies on the theme of ‘What now? What next? Strategy, Place and Planning’. This segment proved a key stimulus for group discussions about the immediate challenges and opportunities embedded in addressing regional skills and specialisms. Sammy Shummo (London South Bank University), Dr. Jonathan Eaton (University of Cumbria), and Prof. Claire Pike (University of East Anglia) led discussions which noted that while regional and civic focus and collaboration are vitally important to the purpose and future of their institutions, some real challenges remain for educational providers. These included the challenges of  ‘regional memory’ (of earlier ‘initiatives’ that failed to have the expected impact), of demand for training not meeting planned expectations (despite close employer engagement throughout the development process) and the urgent need to refocus  ‘civic plans’ with a collaborative lens to align to Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs).

Prof. Liz Cleaver, UVAC Associate and network convenor remarked:
We know that collective expertise and collaboration are vital for shaping a skills system that truly meets the needs of learners, employers, and communities. Today’s discussions truly reaffirm the power of partnership. UVAC look forward to growing and supporting the Senior Leaders’ Network as a driver for real and impactful collaborative change.