Laura Woods Chair, Middlesbrough College Start date: August 2025 Previous job: Former Director of Academic Enterprise, Teesside University Interesting fact: Laura found a whole new world of interests after full-time work, from creative writing to swing dancing, cryptic crosswords and all things French Robert Halfon Executive director – policy, membership and external affairs Start date: September 2025 Previous job: Former minister for skills Interesting fact: Robert is an enthusiastic horologist and at one point had a collection of over 200 watched though, with a mortgage to pay, it’s now a more manageable 25