During Spring 2008, as part of the rationalisation programme across the learning and skills sector, the government decided to merge two prominent sector organisations. The Quality Improvement Agency and the Centre for Excellence in Leadership joined forces to form the new Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS). LSIS is a sector-owned organisation dedicated to developing and supporting excellent further education in England. Emerging from this were important leadership and governance needs.
Rockpools were appointed to lead the recruitment of the inaugural Chair of this new body and subsequently recruit a new Chief Executive and from scratch, the inaugural Board of Directors. This was a major assignment, with the outcomes affecting two sets of valued staff, a diverse collection of sector stakeholders, central government objectives, the mission of the new organisation itself and of course, learners.
We were left in no doubt about the importance to get each appointment right. Rockpools undertook a concerted nationwide search effort supported by a striking advertising campaign, which led to significant interest and fierce competition for executive and non-executive roles alike. At the end of the process, LSIS had secured Dame Ruth Silver as Chair, Roger McLure as Chief Executive and a total of 12 Board members, all galvanised to contribute to sustaining high quality standards in FE.
"Once appointed myself through the Rockpools process, I knew myself to be in safe and confident hands as I proceeded to find the CEO and a whole brand new Board. Rockpools walked every step of the way with me, were constantly available and energetic in handling the many difficult steps in the way. I could not have been better prepared, accompanied and nudged.
LSIS has the leadership it needs due in large part to Rockpools excitement about the project and their commitment to our success. It worked, we worked, like a dream team." Dame Ruth Silver
