Gareth Jones, Director of HR at M&G Investments, the international asset manager of more than 80 years standing, joined the NOCN board in April and takes over from outgoing Chair David Knight who retires at the end of June after nine years in the position.

Gareth was previously head of organisational development and training, having joined Prudential's fund management business in 1998. Before joining M&G, he was a managing consultant with a consultancy business, focused on leadership development and project and risk management with a particular emphasis on the financial sector. In his early years he held a range of commercial and business management and development roles.

Gareth said:

"Joining NOCN as its new Chair is not only a privilege, but also an opportunity for me to make a difference to learners lives whilst supporting the charity in its mission to offer a robust, diverse and flexible service to its customers. I hope to bring my background in financial services and prior experience of a range of sectors to the benefit of NOCN because I believe in an ethical and principle-driven approach to business, which the organisation clearly offers."

NOCN Managing Director Graham Hasting-Evans comments:

"I am pleased to welcome Gareth as our new Chair. This is a great appointment and will help NOCN continue its momentum to diversify and become a stronger awarding and assessment organisation. I also want to take this opportunity to thank David Knight, our outgoing chair, who has done an amazing job of helping steer NOCN to become the success story we see today."