On 16 July 2025, the Lifelong Education Institute (LEI) hosted an online panel event to launch our latest report ‘Mapping the Course: Education Partnerships for Continuous Skills Development,’ produced in partnership with Newcastle University. The event covered place-based governance, cross-sector collaboration and emerging models for lifelong skills.

Event Format and Panellists

• Moderator: Andy Forbes, Executive Director, LEI

• Report Author: Mark Morrin, Research Associate, LEI

• Panellists:

  • Prof. Jane Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Engagement & Place), Newcastle       University

  • Dr haron Grant, Director, North East Institute of Technology (NEIoT)

  • Connor Herron, Head of Higher Education, Newcastle College University Centre

  • Dr Ashmita Randhawa, Director of R&D, Sunderland Software City

Each panellist spoke to their organisation’s experience of place-based skills partnerships and helped illustrate the report’s recommendations.