Technical education charity the Baker Dearing Educational Trust has recruited industry leaders, a former MP, and founding partners in two UTCs as new trustees.

The new additions to Baker Dearing’s board, chaired by Make UK CEO Stephen Phipson, come as the charity works towards an expanded mission to support education providers, organisations, and governments to provide high-quality, employer-led technical education.

This also comes after Baker Dearing, which primarily works with England’s 44-strong network of University Technical College (UTC) secondary schools, welcomed Phipson as Chair and Kate Ambrosi as its new CEO in January.

The new trustees are as follows:

• Lia Nici, who has spent most of her career working in the television production, media training and education sectors. She was the Member of Parliament for her home town of Great Grimsby and now brings all of her skills and knowledge together as a freelance business consultant.
• Nishy Lall, Sky’s Group Head of Youth and Social Impact and an award-winning changemaker whose initiatives have empowered over 500,000 young people globally through media, tech, fashion, and grassroots community programmes.
• Oswin Baker, a podcaster, youth charity chair and social researcher with over 30 years in the business. As a trustee, he will bring a communications and youth perspective to the board.
• Paul Birt, a HR and training professional, who was a founding trustee and Chair of Lincoln UTC. With a 40-year career spanning the manufacturing sectors of computing, semiconductors, gas turbines and energy systems, he was most recently Head of People and Organisation with Siemens Smart Infrastructure in UK and Ireland.
• Purminder Gandhu is the founder of KAURWAVE, a broadcast technology consultancy. Purminder spent over 30 years at the BBC and was part of an award-winning team that worked on the coronation. She is committed to mentoring, widening access to the creative and tech sectors, and championing DEI.
• Yvonne Mason OBE DL is a businesswoman and charity founder, with over 37 years’ experience in marine, shipping, and logistics. A founding member of UTC Norfolk, she now chairs its Industry Partner Group.

They join a strong board of trustees which includes:

• Stephen Phipson, Chief Executive of manufacturers’ trade organisation Make UK who previously held senior roles within government and industry-leading private sector companies.
• Clive Barker, businessman, chair of The Leigh UTC in Dartford and governor of Waterfront UTC.
• Jim Wade, former Principal of JCB Academy who is now working to deliver the Baker Award for Technical Education.
• Mike Wright, a former Executive Director of Jaguar Land Rover. He acts as an advisor to FTSE- and North American-listed businesses, sports, arts and government-related organisations.