The London Adult Skills Summit

Explore why adult learning in London is at a critical turning point, what leaders agreed at the London Adult Skills Summit, and the key funding and accountability asks for policy makers.

The value of adult learning in London

A shared call to protect access and opportunity

It is a pivotal moment for the adult learning sector. The responsibility for funding adult skills has moved from one government department to another. There is much focus on skills and employment, but with no funding rate rise since 2019, difficult decisions are being made about the adult learning that is being delivered across the capital. It is no longer acceptable for the neglect of adult learning to continue.

So on 2 February 2026, some key stakeholders met at the inaugural London Adult Skills Summit. The outcome, along with optimism, is the following joint statement. A summary of our agreed position and some key asks for policy makers and others who can support our cause – for adult learning to be available to all who can benefit, with sustainable funding and clear accountabilities.

Read more about the summit which took place on 2 February 2026 here.

The following people have signed up to the joint statement:

NamePositionOrganisation
Adrienne GilesAssistant Principal Business Support ServicesWestminster Adult Education Service
Alexander MacFaulArt TutorWestminster Adult Education Service
Alison ArnaudPrincipalNew City College
Alison MuggridgeAssistant Principal Curriculum and QualityWestminster Adult Education Service
Amal RahimDistance Learning AdministratorWestminster Adult Education Service
Andrzej GoluchCourse leaderWestminster Adult Education Service
Anne CampbellESOL TutorWestminster Adult Education Service
Andreea Butnaru Andreea Butnaru Westminster Adult Education Service
Annette RobsonHead of Learner Development Westminster Adult Education Service
Anthony MooreHead of FinanceWestminster Adult Education Service
Arinola Edeh CBEPrincipalWestminster Adult Education Service
Asfa SohailDeputy CEO and PrincipalLondon South East Colleges
Caireen MitchellPrincipal and CEOCroydon College
CarolineCourse LeaderWestminster Adult Education Service
Caroline McDonaldCEOHOLEX
Charlotte LatimerEnglish Course LeaderWestminster Adult Education Service
Charlotte WolfHead of Quality ImprovementWestminster Adult Education Service
Chyvonne Westminster Adult Education Service
Claire BeamanVice Principal Curriculum & QualityWest Thames College
Colleen Marshall Principal New City College
David AuIT SupportWestminster Adult Education Service
David Coombe Learning Support Practitioner Westminster Adult Education Service
Debbie RyleAssistant PrincipalJohn Ruskin College (part of East Surrey College Group)
Diana TeesdaleDeputy PrincipalWM College
Dipa Ganguli OBECEO/PrincipalWM College
Dominic HarrisHead of Creative IndustriesWestminster Adult Education Service
Forogh RahmaniDirectorLocal London
Gail IsaacHead of Apprenticeships and Professional PathwaysWestminster Adult Education Service
Gerry McDonald CBEGroup Principal & CEONew City College
Greg ZalesnyITWestminster Adult Education Service
Ilyas MehterSenior Curriculum Manager Ilyas Mehter
Jacqueline MitchellPrincipalNew City College
Jassey ParmarCurriculum Manager (Adult Skills)Westminster Adult Education Service
Jamie PurserCEONewham College
Jamie SmithFunding & Policy DirectorCity Lit
Jamie StevensonPrincipalLewisham College - NCG
Janet GardnerPrincipal & CEOWaltham Forest College
Janet SmithPrincipalNew City College
Jennie TurnerGroup Curriculum Director ESOLNew City College
James ObohHuman Resources Administrator Westminster Adult Education Service
Jenny PistellaApprenticeship manager Westminster Adult Education Service
Jill Kennedy-McNeillSenior Lecturer and UCU Branch SecretaryMorley College London
Joanna Davidson CBEChair of GovernorsWM College
Joe GarrardData and Reporting AnalystWestminster Adult Education Service
John CalderEngineering TechnicianNew City College
Kam DehalExecutive Director Commercial & PartnershipsEast Surrey College
Kieren McIntoshVice Principal - Curriculum & QualityLewisham College - NCG
Kirke-Liis MikkTutorWestminster Adult Education Service
Lewis CooperDirector of Public Affairs and Campaigns Association of Colleges
Louise JordanQuality ManagerWestminster Adult Education Service
Lucy ReedDeputy PrincipalNewham College London
Luthfa BegumGroup Curriculum Director - Adult Education New City College
Lynne O'MearaFaculty Director Adult Skills , Maths and English Barking and Dagenham College
Mark BurrowsGroup Principal - Adult and Higher EducationCapital City College
Marta GajewskaCEO and PrincipalWest Thames College
Matthew EdwardsMarketing ManagerWestminster Adult Education Service
Munawar NadeemDigital Course LeaderWestminster Adult Education Service
Navjot Johal Director of Learning & Contract Performance & RelationshipsWestminster Adult Education Service
Neil CokerCEO and PrincipalBarnet and Southgate College
Peter Mayhew-SmithGroup Principal and CEOSouth Thames Colleges Group
Priyanka ChatterjeeCEOLondon School of Cyber Security
Richard McEwanVice Chair Further Education CommitteeUCU
Ruth LomaxGroup Executive Director Communications & Student SupportNew City College
Richard SurteesGroup Executive Director Curriculum DevelopmentNew City College
Sabirah AliHead of Community and Cultural LearningWestminster Adult Education Service
Simon GoodierHead of School - Skills, Employability & WellbeingCity Lit
Stephen DavisChief Executive & Group Principal United Colleges Group
Susan BonettCEO and Principal Morley College London
Tracey ByrneProfessional Pathways ManagerWestminster Adult Education Service
Tracey McIntoshDeputy Principal - Curriculum, Skills and Business DevelopmentBarnet and Southgate College
Waqas AhmedHead of ENMA, Digital and InclusionWestminster Adult Education Service
William PickfordPrincipalRedbridge Institute of Adult Education