Our board

"Nick joined the BIA as COO in October 2014, bringing with him extensive industry and not-for-profit management experience. Nick is responsible for overseeing the BIA’s operations, with specific responsibility for financial systems, office management, governance issues and human resources."

"Colin has accepted the invitation to join the Cogent Skills Board in association with his role as Chair of NSAN (National Skills Academy for Nuclear). "

"Liz has held a number of positions across the pharmaceutical sciences business in scientific leadership and management roles. In early 2021, Liz progressed into an Executive Director role with matrix accountability for the pharmaceutical sciences business in the anti-infective category."

"Elizabeth de Jong joined as Chief Executive of the UK Petroleum Industry Association (UKPIA) in April 2022. As CEO, Elizabeth is responsible for the overall management and effectiveness of UKPIA as the UK's principal advocate for the downstream oil sector. "

He has extensive experience of working interchangeably with industry on major environmental projects and initiatives across the UK and overseas.

Kate Mingay was elected Chair to the Chemical Business Association in 2021. She also is the Managing Director, Dakram Materials Limited which she founded in 2003.

"I am incredibly proud of the difference our people make. We know that some of the greatest challenges we face as a society can only be resolved through the advancement of science and technology. The work of Cogent Skills remains crucial to driving up the accessibility of skills right across the science sector, ensuring employers have access to the workforce talent needed to compete, innovate and grow."

"Joanna Woolf was born in Bollington and went to Macclesfield High School for girls in Cheshire. During her engineering apprenticeship at Simon Engineering, Cheadle, she studied for an OND. After graduating with a First in Mechanical Engineering from UMIST in 1982, Joanna entered BP’s graduate programme, spending 12 months establishing the oil terminal at Sullom Voe in the Shetlands; her career at BP culminated in a head office role working on speculative oil finds for potential sites around the globe."

"Karl has a proven track record of managing and delivering change and has in-depth knowledge and experience of working within SME, PLC and Private Equity environments."

"Katie Woods-Ruddick is Chief People Officer at px Group which provides operations management, engineering services and energy management solutions to partners in highly regulated industries, has been appointed to the Board of Cogent Skills."

"Steve Elliott joined the Chemical Industries Association in 1997, spending four and half years as Head, International Trade with additional responsibility for Sustainable Development. In April 2002, he was promoted to the position of Director, Trade & Competitiveness and subsequently Director, Business Environment. Steve was appointed Chief Executive of the CIA in February 2006."

Sue is a member of the TUC Executive Committee and the General Council’s lead on energy, environment and sustainability

Samantha Harris joined the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) in 2021 where she works in Corporate Affairs, leading a team covering government relations, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement.