Our people
Find out more about the people who work at Learning and Work Institute, and about the trustees and fellows who support us. We have offices in London, Leicester and Cardiff and work across all four nations.
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About Learning and Work Institute
We are an independent policy and research organisation focused on lifelong learning and better work.
Our vision is for a fair and prosperous society where learning and work enable everyone to realise their potential. We research what works, influence policy and develop new ideas to improve practice.
Our priorities for 2024-29 are:
- Lifelong learning
- Essential skills
- Employment
- Better work
Find out more in our Strategic Plan for 2024-29
DownloadSee how we make a difference in our Impact Report 2022 - 2023
DownloadWho we work with
We work with a wide range of partners and funders to achieve our vision of a prosperous and fair society in which learning and work provide opportunities for everyone to realise their potential and ambitions throughout life.
1918
World Association for Adult Education (WAAE)
L&W’s roots can be traced back to the end of the First World War when in 1918-1919,a World Association for Adult Education (WAAE) was established in London by a group including Dr Albert Mansbridge, founder of the Workers’ Educational Association.
The WAAE had a largely British membership with its international dimension coming primarily from the dominions of the former British Empire. It ran conferences, published the Journal of the World Association for Adult Education and set up a Central Bureau of Information (on Adult Education) in London.
1921
British Institute of Adult Education (BIAE)
In 1921 a separate British Institute of Adult Education (BIAE) was established. Originally a branch of the WAAE it became constitutionally separate in 1925.
The BIAE was an association of individual members, and its main aim was to be ’a centre for common thought by persons of varied experience in the adult education movement’. It did not have its own premises and met in hired rooms. The address sometimes quoted – 28 St Anne’s Gate, London – was the private address of its first President, Viscount Haldane.
1921
The Journal of Adult Education
The Journal of Adult Education was launched as a half-yearly journal. It became a quarterly called Adult Education in 1934, which became Adults Learning in 1989.
1928
New Ventures in Broadcasting
In 1928 the BIAE and the BBC set up a joint Committee of Enquiry, which produced the New Ventures in Broadcasting report. This led to the formation of a Central Council for Broadcast Adult Education, as a forum for the co-operation of established adult education organisations with the BBC.
1933
BFI (the British Film Institute)
In 1929 the BIAE took the leading role in setting up an informal Commission on Educational and Cultural Films. This produced The Film in National Life report in 1932, which resulted in the establishment of the British Film Institute in 1933.
1941
Army Bureau of Current Affairs (ABCA)
The Army Bureau of Current Affairs (ABCA) was set up in 1941 by the Army Education Corps under the Direction of Sir William Emrys Williams (Secretary of the BIAE). ABCA undertook a programme of general education for citizenship which some credit with having an impact on the result of the 1945 general election.
1946
The Arts Council
In 1935, the BIAE set up the Art for the People initiative to provide ordinary people throughout the UK with the opportunity to see great works of art.
Many private collectors agreed to loan their paintings to the Institute. Art for the People led to the establishment of a Council for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts (CEMA) in 1939 with the help of the BIAE, and especially its SecretaryWE Williams. In 1946, CEMA became the Arts Council.
1946
National Foundation for Adult Education
The National Foundation for Adult Education was set up in 1946, as a forum for organisations providing adult education. In 1949 it merged with the BIAE to become the National Institute of Adult Education . The first Secretary of the NIAE was Edward Hutchinson,the NFAE’s founding secretary.
At the same time, a separate Scottish Institute of Adult Education (SIAE) was set up – later SIACE – which survived until it lost Government funding in 1991.
1969
Studies in Adult Education
The journal Studies in Adult Education was launched.
1977
Advisory Council for Adult Continuing Education (ACACE)
ACACE was an independent Government-funded body based in the same premises as NIAE/NIACE between 1977 and 1983, and chaired by Dr Richard Hoggart.
Youthaid
Youthaid was launched in 1977 as a national charity for unemployed young people.
1981
Unemployment Unit
The Unemployment Unit was established by Clare Short (the Director of Youthaid) to provide independent research and campaigning for unemployed people, at a time when unemployment was rapidly increasing. Between 1983 and 2001 David Taylor, Dan Finn and Paul Convery established the Unit’s reputation as a leading provider of independent research.
1983
National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE)
NIAE changed its name in 1983 to the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education. This reflected more accurately an emerging remit including, but extending beyond, the traditional mainstream territories of university extra-mural provision; the agendas of local education authority adult and community education services and the concerns of major voluntary bodies like the WEA.
1984
Unit for the Development of Adult Continuing Education (UDACE)
This government-funded successor to ACACE operated between 1984 and 1992. In 1992, UDACE was taken over by the Further Education Unit.
1985
NIACE Cymru
Originally called the Wales Committee of NIACE, NIACE Cymru was established in 1985 to advise the Welsh Office, the Welsh Joint Education Committee, NIACE and Welsh providers of adult education in Wales.
1989
Unemployment Unit & Youthaid
The Unemployment Unit forms a joint working arrangement with Youthaid.
1990
Basic Skills Agency (BSA)
The Adult Literacy and Basic Skills Unit (formerly the Adult Literacy Unit and Adult Literacy Resource Agency) was a government-funded unit of NIACE, which remained in London when NIACE moved to Leicester. It became independent in 1990 as the Basic Skills Agency. In 2007, NIACE and the BSA merged together as one organisation.
1997
Centre for Social Inclusion (CSI)
Mike Stewart and Dave Simmonds OBE established CSI as a social enterprise to provide policy and practice support to deliver the Government’s new programmes for people who were unemployed.
1998
Unemployment Unit & Youthaid formally merge
2001
Centre for Economic & Social Inclusion (Inclusion)
The ‘Unemployment Unit and Youthaid’ and the Centre for Social Inclusion came together to form Inclusion.
2016
Learning and Work Institute
Following a period of working together in a strategic relationship, NIACE and Inclusion merge to form Learning and Work Institute…The current chief executive Stephen Evans was appointed in 2016.
2021
Celebrating 100 years of learning
We will be celebrating our 100-year anniversary in 2021, marking a century of involvement in adult education by one of our founding organisations.
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Find our
Cardiff Office
S4C Media Centre, Parc Ty Glas, Llanishen, Cardiff, CF14 5DU
Directions to Learning and Work Institute Cymru, Cardiff
By Road
From M4 or from North on A470
Take junction 32 from the M4, take the turning for Cardiff Centre, or if approaching Cardiff on the A470, you enter a 40mph speed limit, then:
- At the 3rd set of traffic lights, turn left onto Tyn Y Parc Road.
- Go through next set of traffic lights. onto Tŷ Wern Road.
- Turn left at next set of traffic lights, onto Caerphilly Road.
- Turn right at 1st mini roundabout, onto Tŷ Glas Road.
- Go through traffic lights, follow road around two bends.
- Take second turning right onto Parc Tŷ Glas (opposite Llanishen Leisure Centre).
- S4C is the fourth building on the left.
From city centre
Follow the signs for A470 and Merthyr. On the Flyover (at Gabalfa) keep to the right hand lane and follow the signs for A469 and Caerphilly (around Cross Inn). This is Caerphilly Road. Proceed until you reach the roundabout. Follow the instructions 4–7 as above.
By Train
Learning and Work Institute Cymru is approximately a 5 minute walk from Ty Glas station Llanishen.
Find our
Leicester Office
Official registered address
4th floor, Arnhem House, 31 Waterloo Way, Leicester LE1 6LP
Directions to Learning and Work Institute, Leicester
By Train
One train station serves the city of Leicester which has direct services to London, Birmingham, Coventry and Sheffield. On arriving at Leicester, follow the directions below.
Address: 4th floor, Arnhem House, 31 Waterloo Way, Leicester LE1 6LP.
Use the pedestrian crossings immediately outside the train station to cross London Road towards the KPMG building (orange brick with bright blue windows). Arnhem House is the dark brown building to the left of the KPMG offices. Our offices are on the 4th floor.
By Road
We encourage all visitors to travel by public transport. However, if travelling by car is unavoidable, please follow the directions below to the nearest large pay and display car park – a short 10-minute walk to our new offices on Waterloo Way. Other car parks are available nearby – see below for more parking information.
From the M1: Exit at Junction 21 and head towards Leicester. At the first roundabout turn right, and then at the second roundabout turn left onto the A563 (south and east) with Fosse Park shopping centre on your left.
Follow signs for Wigston and Oadby, and at the end of the A563 turn left at a large roundabout onto the A6 (racecourse on your right). Carry straight on, following signs for the city centre, then go straight over a small roundabout (Victoria Park is on your left). At the next set of traffic lights, near to Victoria Park’s big wrought iron gates, turn left on to Granville Road. There is a pay and display public car park on your left.
From the M69: The M69 comes to an end at the same roundabout as Junction 21 of the M1. Go straight over this roundabout, and then at the second roundabout turn right. At the third roundabout turn left onto the A563 (south and east) with Fosse Park shopping centre on your left. Follow directions as given above.
From A6 South (Market Harborough): Take the A6 to the city centre, then follow signs for Oadby. Go straight over the large roundabout (racecourse on your left). Carry straight on, following signs for the city centre, then go straight over a small roundabout (Victoria Park is on your left). At the next set of traffic lights, near to Victoria Park’s big wrought iron gates, turn left on to Granville Road. There is a pay and display public car park on your left-hand side.
From Nottingham (alternative to M1): Leave Nottingham on the A606 and continue straight onto the A46. Follow signs for Leicester city centre onto Melton Road then Belgrave Road. At the first large roundabout go straight on, and at the second (and flyover) turn left onto St Matthew’s Way. Continue straight onto a set of traffic lights and another roundabout. Take the third exit onto St George’s Way (St George’s retail park on your left). Follow the signs for the train station. Follow the road round keeping in the middle lane, go over next two sets of traffic lights. At the second set , the police station is on your right and the road bears to the left. Continue through the next two sets of traffic lights past the train station on your left. There is a pedestrian crossing just before a church on the corner of University Road, turn right at these traffic lights.
Continue down University Road and go left when you reach the junction with Regent Road. Turn left at these traffic lights and follow the road to the top. The road begins to bend left and the entrance is situated just before the traffic lights on the right. (please note: the big gates on the right before the bend are for De Montfort Hall and not for the car park).
Car parking:
A variety of pay and display car parks are situated around the train station and the city centre, however we advise that you use the public car park at Victoria Park. Directions to Victoria Park car park from all directions can found in the directions section above.
Parking is also available at the train station.
https://www.leicester.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/parking-in-leicester/parking-charges/
How do I get to Learning and Work Institute from the recommended car park?
From Victoria Park pay and display car park to Waterloo Way office (recommended):
Cross over Granville Road and proceed towards London Road. Walk down London Road, towards the train station. Arnhem House is located opposite the train station, to the left of the tall orange brick KPMG building. Cross the road towards the building and the main entrance is in front of the pedestrian crossing.
Directions to Learning and Work Institute, London
The London office is five minutes walk from Vauxhall Station. Upon arrival at number “Eighty9”, please take the lift to the third floor and follow the sign to “Learning and Work Institute”.
By Air
- Heathrow Airport: Take Piccadilly line to Hyde Park and change to the Victoria Line to Vauxhall station.
- Gatwick Airport: Gatwick Express runs a direct service to London Victoria station every 15 minutes. Then transfer on the Victoria line to Vauxhall station.
By Tube
- Victoria Line – Vauxhall Station, fare zone 1/2
- Take Exit 1 to Albert Embankment. At the crossing, cross over Vauxhall Bridge road and walk past the MI6 building (big glass fronted building) and number 89 Albert Embankment is the next building along.
By Car
- South East: M2
- From South (Brighton, Gatwick): M23 and A21
- From South West: M3 and A3
- From the West: M4 and M40
- From the North: M1 and A1M
- From the East: M11 and M25
By Rail
- From Kings Cross or Euston Station – Victoria line south to Vauxhall station
- Waterloo International: change to overland trains or tube to Vauxhall station
- Victoria Station: change to tube – Victoria line south to Vauxhall station
Car park
If you need car parking and are staying at a hotel, you should contact them direct. For people wishing to park close to the London office, car parking is available a few minutes away in Tinworth Street and is subject to availability. Fees are: £5 for 2-6 hours or £7 per day. Spaces are limited and cannot be reserved.
Congestion Charge
Please note we are within the congestion charge zone. You can pay the congestion charge either in advance or on the day of travel, before, during or after your journey. The charge is £8 if you pay by 10.00pm on the day of travel or £10 if you pay between 10.00pm until midnight on the day of travel. Please visit the Transport for London website for more details www.cclondon.com.
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