Nicola Kettley
People and Culture Director
Nicki Kettley MA MCIPD joined us in September 2025 as People and Culture Director. As a dual-trained HR and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion professional, Nicki is passionate about the role of skills, education and excellent employment practices play in social mobility. Nicki undertook her professional training in the NHS and has worked in HR and EDI for 15 years.
Prior to joining Cogent Skills, Nicki built on her experience in the education and skills sector as Head of Human Resources at Liverpool Diocesan Schools Trust, providing HR services and cultural leadership to 18 Church of England academies across the North West. Nicki was previously HR Policy Lead at the University of Salford and developed key priority areas such as the development of the University’s apprenticeship offer and strengthening and improving trade union relations. Nicki has also worked for the Home Office undertaking a diverse range of roles including as the HR Business Partner for the highly successful European Settlement Scheme and as strategic lead for the award-winning Gender Equality Programme.
Outside of work, Nicki is highly dedicated to the charity sector and is proud to be a trustee of Warrington Disability Partnership, one of the largest independent, user-led charities in the UK. In her spare time, Nicki is an enthusiastic member of her local community choir and has formed a book club with friends. However, Nicki’s true joy in life is spending time with her family, especially her husband, son and dog, Bingo.
Prior to joining Cogent Skills, Nicki built on her experience in the education and skills sector as Head of Human Resources at Liverpool Diocesan Schools Trust, providing HR services and cultural leadership to 18 Church of England academies across the North West. Nicki was previously HR Policy Lead at the University of Salford and developed key priority areas such as the development of the University’s apprenticeship offer and strengthening and improving trade union relations. Nicki has also worked for the Home Office undertaking a diverse range of roles including as the HR Business Partner for the highly successful European Settlement Scheme and as strategic lead for the award-winning Gender Equality Programme.
Outside of work, Nicki is highly dedicated to the charity sector and is proud to be a trustee of Warrington Disability Partnership, one of the largest independent, user-led charities in the UK. In her spare time, Nicki is an enthusiastic member of her local community choir and has formed a book club with friends. However, Nicki’s true joy in life is spending time with her family, especially her husband, son and dog, Bingo.