, 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.
