VTCT appoints Alan Woods as new chief executive

The UK’s Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) has announced the appointment of Alan Woods as chief executive, effective from January 1 next year.

Woods, taking over from present chief executive Dr Stephen Vickers, is currently director of apprenticeships and vocational education at The University of Law, a position he’s held since October 2014.

Previous to this he was chief executive of the Skills for Justice group, the issuing authority for apprenticeships for sectors including fire and rescue, the armed forces, legal services and policing and law enforcement in England and Wales.

The VTCT is an awarding body that grants qualifications for sectors ranging from beauty therapy, hospitality, active health and fitness, complementary therapy and hairdressing and barbering.

Chris Laws, Chair of VTCT, said: "Alan's appointment as our new CEO is a key next stage for us. He brings a wealth of knowledge to VTCT in skills development and we are looking forward to him leading the staff of VTCT and delivering the strategy of the board of trustees.

The VTCT, which was established in 1962, has more than 800 approved centres, in the UK but also in countries including Malta, South Africa, Italy, Cyprus, India and Ireland.

Commenting on his appointment, Woods said: “I am delighted to be appointed as VTCT’s new CEO as it develops its ambition to be the awarding organisation of choice for learners and employers.”