The FutureLearn
Advisory Board
The FutureLearn Advisory Board’s purpose is to elevate the vital role FutureLearn can play in reskilling and upskilling people from across the world, narrowing skills gaps in the most in-demand areas. With more than two-thirds of SMEs and nearly 90% of large companies facing skills shortages, this purpose has never been more important. The board will also support the company’s goal of transforming access to education.
The group’s collective insights from higher education, government and industry associations put FutureLearn at the centre of some of the most impactful developments in online education, such as stackable accredited learning and the Lifelong Loan Entitlement.
With the expertise of the board, FutureLearn is fast becoming the go-to platform for career-based lifelong learning, making quality education accessible to all.
Lord David Blunkett
Chair of FutureLearn Advisory Board
David Blunkett is a member of the House of Lords, former Education and Employment Secretary, and former Home Secretary.
He has an extensive involvement with education, having taught in both further and higher education institutions. He is currently a Professor of Politics in Practice at the University of Sheffield, and Chair of the Board of the University of Law.
Julia Buckingham
CBE, Chair Of The Board Of Trustees at the Institute of Cancer Research
Professor Julia Buckingham CBE was Vice Chancellor and President of Brunel University London, as well as the President of Universities UK, until 31 July 2021. She became Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Institute of Cancer Research in August 2021 and an independent Member of Council at the University of Surrey in 2022.
Julia was appointed a CBE in 2018 for services to biology and education, and elected to a Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2019.
Sir Michael Barber
Chancellor of the University of Exeter
Sir Michael Barber has been an adviser on education and delivery to successive governments since the mid-1990s, and has worked for governments on every continent.
He is currently advising HM Treasury on the skills agenda. He has worked in senior roles in the private sector, and is also the author of ‘How to Run a Government’ (2016) and ‘Accomplishment’ (2023), both published by Penguin.
Andy Haldane
Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Society of Arts
Andrew G Haldane was Chief Economist at the Bank of England and a member of the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee until 30 June 2021. He became Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) in September 2021.
Among other positions, he is an Honorary Professor at the Universities of Nottingham and Manchester, a Visiting Professor at King’s College London, a Visiting Fellow at Nuffield College, Oxford, and a Fellow of the Royal Society and the Academy of Social Sciences. He has authored around 200 articles and four books.
Kirstie Donnelly
MBE, Chief Executive Officer at City & Guilds
Kirstie Donnelly is Chief Executive at the City & Guilds Group, having first joined the organisation in 2011. Prior to this role, she was responsible for City & Guilds, ILM and DigitalMe brands operating globally.
Kirstie is a passionate advocate of the role of digital and social media in transforming how people live, learn and work. Her commitment to this area was recognised when she was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Honours for e-learning services in 2011.
Douglas Blackstock
President of the European Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education
Douglas Blackstock was Chief Executive of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) until his retirement in October 2021. He currently serves as the President of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA), alongside serving as a board member of Qualifications Wales and a commissioner for the Lifelong Education Commission.
Professor Steve West CBE
Vice-Chancellor, President, and Chief Executive of the University of the West of England, Bristol
Professor Steve West CBE has been the Vice-Chancellor, President, and Chief Executive of the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE) since 2007, and he is the current President of Universities UK.
Steve holds a number of national and international advisory appointments in higher education, healthcare policy and regional government. He was awarded a CBE in the New Year’s Honours list 2017 for services to higher education.