North East businesswoman to support workforce gender diversity

Jacqui Henderson, CBE, has joined the board of Skills4 as the company seeks to support the increasing demands on businesses to up their game on gender diversity.

She brings a wealth of experience in education, business and in particular the skills sector to the company which supports global clients achieve diversity objectives through the design and delivery of bespoke programmes to utilise the skills of the entire workforce.

“I am delighted to be joining such a progressive company which provides practical solutions to helping firms and women promote and implement gender diversity” said Henderson.

“Businesses where men continue to dominate boardrooms, senior and middle management roles must do more to enable women to take senior positions.”

Henderson, who lives in Ashington, Northumberland is managing director of Creative and Leadership Skills Ltd, a consultancy and project management company and was previously the Chief Executive of UK Skills, Regional Director for London for the Learning and Skills Council, Chief Executive of the TEC National Council and Managing Director of Northumberland Training and Enterprise Council.

She is Chair of Governors at Northumberland College, and vice chair of NHS North of Tyne as well as being Senior Adviser to the British Council, vice chair of Newcastle University’s Council and a long-standing member of the Skills Commission

Henderson was awarded the CBE in January 2011 for services to education and training.

Skills4’s Chair Lynn Tomkins said: “I have known and worked with Jacqui for many years and I am absolutely delighted she has agreed to join our board. She has reached the top of her profession, holding many senior positions, and provides a fantastic role model for women just starting out on their careers as to what they can achieve.”

Gender diversity is increasingly being cited as critical to the UK’s economic growth. Universities and science minister, David Willetts, recently announced £200m investment in teaching science and engineering in universities, with particular focus on getting more women into these subjects.

Skills4’s managing director Jayne Little said: “The majority of women face the same personal barriers to career progression and are far less likely than men to showcase their skills and achievements.

“Too often very talented women miss out on opportunities they are more than capable of taking up just because of their reluctance to showcase what they offer – this means their employers often miss out too.

“After completing our programme women are very clear on what they can offer their organisation and that gives employers access to the widest possible talent pool.”

For more information on Skills4 visit www.skills4uk.com email jlittle@skills4uk.com or call 0113 385 4605.