Executive Board
Our Directorates
Dr Katerina Kolyva, CEO
Katerina is the Chief Executive Officer of the Education Training Foundation (ETF), the professional body for further education and skills in England. Katerina brings a wealth of experience from a career spanning education and research, healthcare regulation and membership sectors.
Prior to joining ETF, Katerina was the CEO of the Council of Deans of Health and held Executive Director roles in policy, registration and education with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in the UK after spending a career in education strategy and evaluation in the European Commission and Parliament in Brussels and Luxembourg.
Having completed a PhD in European studies, Katerina has worked as a lecturer and researcher in universities across Europe and the Middle East. Katerina also has non-executive leadership experience as a charity trustee and college governor. She is currently a trustee of the Intellectual Property Regulatory Board and chairs the women CEO group at the Association of CEOs of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO). She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Leadership Fellow at St George’s House.
Dr Gina Hobson, Director of Governance
As Director of Governance, Gina leads on non-executive and executive, cross-organisation systems, which includes overseeing the design, implementation and review of systems to ensure the effective running of the Education Training Foundation (ETF).
In her role as Company Secretary, she works closely with ETF’s CEO, Chair, Board and Members, ensuring that the charity’s corporate governance is effective.
Previously, Gina was the Chief Executive of the British Accreditation Council, a small charity working with independent education and training providers in the UK and overseas, setting and improving standards within this sector.
Dr Vikki Smith, Chief Professionalism Officer
Vikki is ETF’s Chief Professionalism Officer. Her remit includes strategy, policy and research (research and evaluation, impact, education policy strategists, mentors, and employer engagement), and Â鶹´«Ã½ and CPD (quality and standards, online learning design, CPD trainers).
Vikki is a seasoned executive leader, whose career spans both public and private sectors, and further and higher education. Prior to joining ETF, Vikki was the Special Education Adviser at the British Medical Association, where she engineered increases in member engagement and strategic advancements; she also has a rich background in organisational development and change management from her time with Oxford University Press and City & Guilds Group. Vikki holds a PGCE in Further Education and a Ph.D. in Education; she is a Fellow of the RSA and Senior Fellow of the Staff and Educational Development Association. Vikki is motivated by driving positive change and fostering impactful outcomes in further education and skills.
Patrick Murphy, Chief Financial & Digital Officer
Patrick Murphy is an experienced executive with extensive experience in finance, technology, and organisational transformation across various sectors, including IT services, healthcare, and education. Since 2019, he has held leadership roles at Bloor Research Ltd and Digital Automation & Robotics Ltd, where he led the deployment of Generative AI technologies and facilitated strategic acquisitions. Previously, as Finance & Corporate Services Director at Norwood Ravenswood, Patrick transformed the finance function and successfully renegotiated critical contracts, achieving substantial fee increases as well as modernising its technology capabilities.
Patrick’s career spans pivotal roles at prominent organisations such as the British Medical Association, where he added significant financial value and drove digital transformation initiatives that enhanced member engagement and operational efficiency. His leadership was instrumental to steering Nacro into profitability.
With a strong foundation in finance, Patrick has a proven track record of delivering innovative business solutions, driving cost efficiencies, and leading digital transformation efforts. His expertise extends from commercial to non-profit sectors, having served in key roles at Samsung Electronics Limited and City and Guilds of London Institute. Patrick holds a fellowship with the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants and is recognised for his integrity, strategic vision, and ability to develop positive workplace cultures.
Michael Lowe, Director of People & Workplace
Michael Lowe is ETF’s Director of People & Workplace and a commercial, delivery focused HR leader committed to improving lives and helping organisations do HR well.
He brings over 19 years’ senior management and HR experience across the education, government and charity sectors, including Haringey Education Business Partnership, Gladesmore Community School, The Goldsmiths’ Company and its subsidiary organisations, HM Prison & Probation Service and the Ministry of Justice.
Michael is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and a Chartered Manager, Michael has deep expertise in organisational culture, people strategy and people management. Michael also proactively champions inclusion, professional growth and wellbeing.
Michael also holds a master’s degree from the University of Cambridge and is a CMI Level 7 qualified Leadership Coach and Mentor.
Chris Kirk, Chief Growth Officer
As our Chief Growth Officer, Chris makes sure ETF delivers the needs of our customers and members as the professional body for further education and skills (interacting with over 130,000 professionals and 4,000+ providers), along with a wider remit across all of the Education Training Foundation for brand, marketing, communications, sales, and regional engagement. Supporting ETF customers to unlock the value of funded contract work, alongside accountability for the growth of our commercial offering for individuals and partners (colleges, training providers and employers) across our portfolio of professional development, statuses, training, and CPD.
Chris has worked across professional, technical, vocational, and higher education sectors for nearly 20 years. Including extensive international experience which has supported learning, student recruitment and assessment in France, USA, China, Southern Asia and Australia. Growing brands, customer value, and revenue through customer-first, product-led culture change and digital transformation. He has previously held executive positions at City & Guilds, and most recently at UCAS, along with leading international business development at the French online EdTech start-up, OpenClassrooms.
Corporate Services Directorate
Lesley Frearson
Director of Finance & Procurement
Growth Directorate
Peter Borley
Director of Strategic Growth
Rich Hickin
Director of Customer Growth
Professionalism Directorate
Melissa Ruxton
Director of Delivery Performance
Rachel Roberts
Director of Professional Development