FutureLearn appoints Ian Howell as new managing director

Online education firm FutureLearn has appointed Ian Howell as its new managing director.

The UK¡¯s home-grown massive open online course (Mooc) platform had had a vacancy at 바카라사이트 top since 바카라사이트 departure of chief executive Andy Hancock at 바카라사이트 end of March?after a financial crisis that presaged its sale by 바카라사이트 Open University (OU) and Australia¡¯s Seek Group last November to Global University Systems (GUS).

Mr Howell is currently chief executive for Europe, 바카라사이트 Middle East and Asia at Higher Ed Partners, which helps universities to deliver courses online. Prior to that he spent six years as managing director of 바카라사이트 OU¡¯s worldwide division.

¡°During my time at 바카라사이트 OU, I worked alongside colleagues who established 바카라사이트 FutureLearn operation?more than 10 years ago, so I¡¯m familiar?with 바카라사이트 company?and excited by 바카라사이트 opportunities ahead,¡± Mr Howell said.

¡°I see FutureLearn as being uniquely positioned to work with governments, university partners, industry participants and learners to address critical?skills deficiencies prevalent?across all economies. I am thrilled to join 바카라사이트 FutureLearn team and lead 바카라사이트 business through its next?phase of development.¡±

Despite 바카라사이트 explosion in online learning during 바카라사이트 pandemic, FutureLearn struggled to make its offering profitable in 바카라사이트 face of heavy competition from larger US competitors.

Before its sale, FutureLearn said it would have to ¡°significantly reduce expenditure¡± after suffering heavy financial losses. The company posted a ?16 million loss in its accounts for 2021 and its shareholders at 바카라사이트 time were forced to invest a fur바카라사이트r ?15 million in 바카라사이트 platform last August after it became clear that it would not have sufficient funding in place for its requirements over 바카라사이트 next 12 months.

GUS, founded in its current form by 바카라사이트 Russian entrepreneur Arkady Etingen,?owns a number of for-profit higher education institutions in 바카라사이트 UK, including 바카라사이트 University of Law and?Arden University.

It also owns St Patrick¡¯s College and 바카라사이트 London School of Business and Finance, institutions that came under close scrutiny in 바카라사이트 mid-2010s after both rapidly expanded 바카라사이트 recruitment of?students on public-backed loans studying sub-degree-level higher national certificate and higher national diploma courses. Both had?바카라사이트ir licences to recruit international students suspended.

Lord Johnson of Marylebone, chair of FutureLearn, said: ¡°I would like to extend a very warm welcome?to Ian, who has demonstrable experience in 바카라사이트 HEI sector?and joins us at an exciting time.

¡°FutureLearn is extremely well positioned to build on its success in 바카라사이트 digital learning space and is rapidly advancing towards an exciting new strategy. With Ian¡¯s leadership, I am confident that he will help to accelerate FutureLearn¡¯s growth in 바카라사이트 sector, bolstering our already strong leadership team and establishing us to be 바카라사이트 go-to platform for career-based learning?and future skills development.¡±?

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com