Helene Dearn Director of Employment, Skills, Health and Communities, West Midlands Combined Authority Start date: June 2024 Previous Job: West Midlands Group Director, Department for Work and Pensions Interesting fact: Helene is an armchair sports fanatic but was hands-on leading the 2022 Commonwealth Games workforce delivery. Supporting Wolverhampton Wanderers on the other hand is part of her sporting life that regularly tests her commitment! Ian Bamford Vice Chair, AELP Start date: June 2024 Concurrent Job: Chief Quality and Curriculum Officer, Paragon Skills Interesting fact: Ian qualified as a chef through an apprenticeship (YTS, in those days). He has worked in several high-quality hotels and restaurants throughout the late 1980’s and 1990’s. In 1997, he fell into teaching, where he has gained his experience in the work-based learning sector.