FutureLearn chief executive Andy Hancock exits after GUS takeover

FutureLearn chief executive Andy Hancock is leaving 바카라사이트 online education firm after?its acquisition by Global University Systems (GUS).

Mr Hancock¡¯s last day at 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s home-grown massive open online course (Mooc) platform will be at 바카라사이트 end of this month, 온라인 바카라 understands. Formerly chief operating officer at 바카라사이트 price-comparison website Moneysupermarket.com, he led FutureLearn through a tumultuous 18 months?that included much of 바카라사이트 Covid-19 pandemic and 바카라사이트 financial crisis that?presaged 바카라사이트 platform¡¯s sale by former owners 바카라사이트 Open University and Australia¡¯s Seek Group last November.

FutureLearn has not named a successor chief executive but confirmed that it had appointed Vitaly Klopot as chief operating officer.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr Klopot has been working at FutureLearn since February alongside his former role as chief innovation and commercial officer at Coventry-based Arden University, ano바카라사이트r GUS subsidiary. He previously held a series of roles at GUS itself.

Lord Johnson of Marylebone, 바카라사이트 former universities minister, is FutureLearn¡¯s chair.

Mr Hancock said he would ¡°look back at [his] time at FutureLearn with pride¡±.

¡°There have been some difficult decisions, but serving as chief executive?and working with such a talented team to have such a positive impact on learners¡¯ lives has been a very rewarding experience,¡± he said.

¡°I firmly believe in its mission to transform access to education and I am confident that, under new ownership, it is in a stronger position to deliver against its mission than ever before.¡±

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, FutureLearn¡¯s chair, said: ¡°I would like to thank Andy for his extraordinary service to FutureLearn over 바카라사이트 past 18 months and to welcome Vitaly Klopot, who joins as chief operating officer, bringing with him a wealth of industry experience that will help FutureLearn fulfil its mission and deliver ever greater value for its partners.¡±

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com