Adam Jones Announced as new ESB Chair

01/11/2017
Adam Jones

The Essex Employment and Skill Board (ESB) has announced the appointment of Adam Jones as the new Chair of its Board. He takes over from out-going Chair, Suzanne Jude, who has stepped down from the post after more than four years.

Adam Jones is Head of Talent at Teledyne e2v.  Part of the Teledyne Corporation, Teledyne e2v is based in Chelmsford where it employs approximately 1000 people.   Its innovations lead developments in healthcare, life sciences, space, transportation, defence and security and industrial markets.  Adam is responsible for recruitment, training and people development including the Teledyne e2v apprentice scheme which has been running for over 60 years and was again recognised in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer list 2016.

Adam said ‘I am excited to have the opportunity to work with such a wide variety of people in organisations across Essex to deliver growth and opportunities for local people and employers. At Teledyne e2v, as in other businesses of all sized in all sectors across the county, the challenge is the same.  Our people are our competitive advantage and it is vital we attract people with the skills we need and develop those we currently employ. At the ESB, we will bring people together to ensure we do this.

Suzanne Jude who is stepping down as Chair after four years, said: “I congratulate Adam on his appointment as Chair to succeed me. His passion for education and skills means I am confident that he will be an excellent chair who will help to ensure that the ESB continues to go from strength to strength. I believe it is a first class appointment.

“I feel privileged and delighted to have been chair and have hugely enjoyed my time in the role. I am particularly pleased to be leaving at a time when the ESB is starting to see real change because of its activities.”

Cllr Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Skills, Infrastructure and Digital Economy, said: “I am delighted that Adam has been appointed to the role of ESB Chair.  It is vitally important to have employers at the heart of the skills system in Essex. Adam’s appointment ensures that Essex will continue to take the lead in responding to local skills needs by linking education with industry and creating the right conditions for businesses and residents to thrive.”

The ESB is a strategic, employer-led board that also has local authority partners, including Essex County Council, and aims to ensure Essex has the skills the county needs to grow and prosper. Some of its other board members include Ford UK, DST Systems (formerly IFDS), London Stansted Airport (MAG), NHS, DP World, Coast Digital and the Federation of Small Businesses.

The ESB’s successes include; helping local colleges to secure more than £15million of funding to enhance their facilities and equipment; producing careers information resources that have been distributed to more than 40,000 young people across Essex, Southend-On-Sea and Thurrock; and delivering the ESB Education and Industry STEM programme, which has worked with employers to inspire more than 800 schoolchildren across Greater Essex in the past year.