Post by Claire Bridger

Eight years ago, I made my first-ever trip up to Newcastle to join NCFE, just when The Beast from the East arrived (who remembers that snow?) I still remember arriving at Q6 and seeing someone outside, shoveling snow. I assumed he was the grounds man, keeping everything moving during the chaos. It turned out to be our CEO at the time, David Grailey. That moment told me everything I needed to know about NCFE. From day one, it was clear, no one was above rolling up their sleeves. And eight years on, one thing remains unchanged - The People. The sense of “we’ll all achieve together” is still as strong today as it was when I first arrived in that snowstorm. On the other hand, externally, so much has changed. Over the past eight years, the FE landscape has transformed more dramatically than at any other point in recent memory. Policy reform, devolution, new funding models, and shifting employer expectations have reshaped how awarding organisations, providers, and regional authorities operate. The sector looks and feels very different, and continues to evolve at pace. Through all of this change, NCFE has stayed true to its values, its purpose, and its people. And that’s what makes this place special. I'm grateful for all the amazing colleagues I get to work with everyday. Suzanne Slater David Gallagher FIEP David Redden Rachel Dillon Kate Glew Mike Potts Chris Cadman Sara Sawyer Becky Rayner Anthony Horne Emma Dane Lisa Goncalves Michael Lemin Dawn Norman Marcus Ridley Andrew Barton Emzi Mills-Frater Suzanne Drummond NCFE #workanniversary