New ABE Chair serves as a role model for aspiring female leaders

We are delighted to announce that Nicola Rylett-Jones has been appointed as Chair of ABE.

Nicola is a highly experienced business leader, with over 25 years in senior management. Her expertise encompasses business transformation, operational efficiency, and leadership, and she has held numerous board roles. Nicola’s background includes educational publishing, and she was also the Managing Director of BMJ On Exams, an online platform provided by the British Medical Journal which offers a range of interactive tools, study materials, and practice resources for medical students and healthcare professionals preparing for exams. 

Nicola is committed to fostering leadership, innovative thinking, and skills in young people, and her work as a school governor has provided valuable insights into the academic and vocational education landscape. She is passionate about ensuring that future generations are equipped with the skills needed to thrive. Nicola is also ABE’s first female Chair.

Speaking of her appointment, Nicola said, "I am truly honoured and excited to be appointed as ABE’s first female Chair. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about fostering leadership, driving strategic transformation, and championing inclusive growth—values that align perfectly with ABE’s mission to empower people through high-quality business education. 

As a strong advocate for diversity and leadership development, I am particularly proud to serve as a role model for aspiring female leaders, demonstrating that with ambition, resilience, and the right support, anything is possible. I look forward to working with ABE’s dedicated team to further its vision of creating a more equitable and prosperous future for learners around the world."

ABE's Chief Executive, Rob May added, "Nicola’s energy and enthusiasm is infectious! She will lead an interesting and exciting new phase in the strategic governance of ABE!"

A heartfelt thanks to outgoing board members

Nicola's appointment follows the retirement of our long-standing Chair, Keith Ramsay, who is leaving the role after 11 years of dedicated service and invaluable strategic guidance.  Other long-serving board members, who are retiring this year are William Oswald, Aidan O'Carroll, and Graham Parker. Together, their wisdom, integrity, and unwavering dedication have shaped ABE. They have led from the heart, going above and beyond to serve with stoicism, ethics, and an unshakable commitment to doing the right thing.

Board rotation is a healthy and necessary part of good governance, and we will shortly be welcoming new non-executive directors to help drive the next chapter at ABE!