Learning and Work Institute today announced the appointment of Richard Spear as Chair of its Wales Strategy Group and an L&W Trustee.
Richard will help provide strategic leadership and insight to L&W’s work in Wales and add a Welsh voice to the work of L&W across the UK. He will succeed Jeff Greenidge who led the group for over a decade, helping to ensure lifelong learning and better work were central to policy in Wales.
Richard brings a wealth of experience to the role with 25 years’ experience in education and training and has held senior positions within the public, private and third sectors, including Head of Programme Funding for the Welsh Government, Director of the National Institute for Adult Continuing Education, Chief Executive of Careers Wales, Managing Director of ACT Training and Chair of ALS Training.
Richard has been a member of a number of key education and training committees and has chaired the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) Wales Country Panel and Credit Common Accord for Wales. He has been a board member of Agored Cymru, YMCA Community College Ltd, Careers Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd and is currently a board member of ACT Ltd, ALS Ltd and the National Training Federation for Wales.
Commenting on his appointment, Richard said:
“I am delighted to join the board of the Learning and Work Institute and to chair the Wales Strategy Group. As a passionate advocate for lifelong learning, I am excited to contribute to the Institute’s vision for a prosperous and fair society where learning and work provide opportunities for everyone to realise their potential.”
L&W Director for Wales Joshua Miles added:
“I’m looking forward to working with Richard in shaping our activity in Wales, with a view to achieving our ambitious goals as an organisation focused on lifelong learning and better work. With the 2026 Senedd election fast approaching we have a huge opportunity as an organisation to shape the policy agenda and improve the lives of the people of Wales.”
Learning and Work Institute’s Chair and President, Jeremy Moore said:
“I am very pleased to welcome Richard to the board of Learning and Work. He brings huge experience and knowledge of education and training in Wales and a deep commitment to providing opportunities for everyone in our society to work and learn throughout life and so realise their ambitions. I am very much looking forward to forward to working with him.”
Richard is the Managing Director of ACT Training, Chair of ALS Training and a Senior Post Holder at parent organisation Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC) Group. He has 27 years’ experience in education and training and has held senior positions within the public, private and third sectors, including Head of Programme Funding for Post-16 Education and Training at the Welsh Government, Director for Wales and Strategic Planning of the National Institute for Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) and Chief Executive of Careers Wales. Richard is a board member of the National Training Federation for Wales (NTFW) and smoking cessation charity ASH Wales. He has been a member of a number of key education and training committees and has chaired the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) Wales Country Panel and Credit Common Accord for Wales. He has also been a board member of Agored Cymru, YMCA Community College Ltd and Careers Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd. At ACT, and within the context of the CAVC Group’s strategic priorities, Richard is responsible for setting the strategic direction and the overall performance of the organisation.
