When I think back to where my journey with GMLPN began, it takes me right back to over 23 years ago, in the early years of my career in Further Education. At that time, I was undertaking a business development Return on Investment (ROI) programme alongside other providers across the region, created by the network. It was an exciting but challenging time – we were all trying to better understand how to demonstrate value, impact and effectiveness in what we delivered.
What stood out to me immediately was not just the programme itself, but the people. Being surrounded by colleagues in similar roles, facing similar challenges, created something powerful. There was an openness, a willingness to share, and a genuine sense that we were stronger together. That early experience shaped my view of networks like GMLPN and the role they play – not just as a forum, but as a community.
Over the years, GMLPN has been a constant thread throughout my career. As I’ve progressed into more senior and strategic roles, that sense of connection has only grown stronger. The network has provided a space to share best practice, sense-check ideas, and learn from others who understand the complexity and pace of the skills system. It has also been a place where relationships are built – and those relationships matter.
I can genuinely say that many of the connections I have today, across Greater Manchester and beyond, have been shaped through GMLPN. Whether through formal meetings, collaborative projects or informal conversations, the network has enabled us to come together around a shared purpose: improving outcomes for learners and supporting the needs of employers.
Over the past two decades, the skills landscape has evolved significantly. We have seen policy reforms, funding changes, shifting economic priorities and, more recently, a much stronger focus on place-based skills systems and devolution. Through all of this, the need for collaboration has only increased.
No single organisation can meet the full breadth of skills demand alone. The complexity of employer needs, the pace of change in sectors such as digital, construction and green skills, and the importance of inclusive growth mean that partnership working is not optional – it is essential. Networks like GMLPN have been instrumental in enabling that collaboration, bringing providers together to respond collectively to regional priorities.
For me, collaboration is not just a principle – it is a way of working. I believe deeply in the power of partnerships to unlock opportunity, drive innovation and deliver real impact. GMLPN has been a key enabler of that, creating the conditions for trust, shared learning and joint action.
Looking ahead, I am excited about the future of skills across Greater Manchester. , There is a real opportunity to reshape how we deliver skills in a way that is more responsive, more inclusive and more impactful.
My hope is that GMLPN continues to play a central role in that future – as a connector, a convener and a catalyst for change. Supporting providers to work together, amplifying our collective voice, and ensuring that we remain focused on what matters most: creating opportunities for individuals and enabling businesses to thrive.
For me, it all began with a simple but powerful idea – that by coming together, sharing openly and learning from one another, we can achieve far more than we ever could alone. Twenty-three years on, that belief still holds true.
