Lynne Neagle, Cabinet Secretary for Education
I am pleased to confirm the appointment of two further Board Members for the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research following an open public appointments exercise. The appointments were carried out in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.
The successful candidates are Aaqil Ahmed and Jeffrey Greenidge. The appointments will run for three years with Aaqil and Jeff taking up appointment on 1 September 2024.
I am thrilled, following a competitive appointments exercise with over 30 applicants, we have been able to appoint high calibre candidates with a wide range of experience operating in both executive and non-executive capacities. The appointment of Jeff and Aaqil will also ensure the Commission is able to draw on the perspectives from all our communities in Wales including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. I have no doubt Jeff and Aaqil will add tremendous value to the Commission’s Board in support of the Chair, Professor Dame Julie Lydon.
Jeff’s teaching career has spanned from primary and secondary to adult and post-graduate education at Swansea University. Currently, Jeff serves as the Director for Diversity and Governance with the Association of Colleges and has held a number of Non-Executive roles in education and community organisations across the further and adult education sector in Wales.
Professor Aaqil Ahmed is the former Head of Religion and Ethics at both Channel 4 and the BBC. Aaqil is currently a Non-Executive Director at the Advertising Standards Authority, media and communications regulator OFCOM, Elstree Film Studios and Ffilm Cymru. He is currently a member of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and a Professor of Media at the University of Bolton.
I would like to thank all applicants for their interest and engagement throughout this process; to congratulate those who were selected for interview and look forward to the impactful contribution the Board will make in delivering a more engaged, excellent, and equitable tertiary education and research sector in Wales.