Kenneth Baker was a Conservative Member of Parliament from 1968 to 1997. He held a number of senior positions in Margaret Thatcher’s Government, including Secretary of State for Education and Science when he introduced the National Curriculum, Tests, City Technology Colleges and Grant-Maintained Schools. He became a member of the House of Lords in 1997. As co-founder of the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, Lord Baker is leading the introduction of University Technical Colleges. He firmly believes that young people should have access to high quality education combining academic, practical and vocational learning - vital both for our students and for our economy.

I joined Edge from the London Business School, where I was director of marketing and communications. Before that I held senior marketing roles in various organisations, including brand communications at NatWest. In work, as in life, I believe there are many paths to success.

I was a head teacher for 18 years in Staffordshire and Walsall. During that time I was also seconded to lead a school in special measures. I was a founding trustee of Edge and I am now its full-time education adviser. I believe that society is failing to engage large numbers of young people because they are not being given opportunities to explore their talents through practical and vocational learning. I hope you will join with Edge to rectify this.

I was brought up in North Yorkshire and returned 10 years ago to become Chief Executive of the local Training and Enterprise Council, before being appointed Executive Director of the Learning and Skills Council in North Yorkshire. I now work part-time as a freelance consultant in the field of education and training policy and am a Director at Edge. I am also a non-executive director of North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust.

As a chartered accountant I worked for Deloitte and Touche, for a Finnish paper company and for Edexcel before joining Edge. I am responsible for all its financial, IT, personnel and legal matters. I joined Edge in search of a new challenge and love the range of opportunities and ideas that have been developed to influence the education system.

I joined Edge in 2005 from local government. Before that I spent more than 15 years in the music and broadcast industries, licensing music videos to television companies. I’m responsible for Edge’s project management system as well as specific projects. I think Edge is a great chance to work somewhere that can really make a difference to the education system.

I work for Edge’s CEO and also support our Chair and President. My background is in music and entertainment retail and before joining Edge I worked for small an independent film company. Working at Edge has give me the chance to work for an dynamic organisation that wants to transform the education system in the country. I believe that is that hugely important to give young people the chance to discover their true passion and talents.

I joined Edge as its first public affairs manager in February 2006. I was previously public affairs manager at SEMTA (Science, Engineering, Manufacturing Technologies Alliance), a Sector Skills Council. Before SEMTA I worked as special adviser to the then education secretary Gillian Shephard and also have experience of working in the House of Commons.

With a background in PR & Marketing, I have worked on a number of high profile campaigns over the years. I joined Edge in November 2007 to put what I have learnt into practice, as I believe ‘learning by doing’ is crucial to realising your individual potential, skill and talent.

Having come from an administration background, I joined Edge to fill the role of PA and office assistant. During the past year, working at Edge has shown me how important it is to change people’s attitudes of practical learning in order to give young people more choices in life. Being part of a dynamic and energetic organisation makes me feel very proud.

Gary Favell, Gillian Kent, Lady Leitch, David Young, Kevin Satchwell and Neil Bates.

Sir Garry Hawkes, CBE