Harvey will work directly with colleges, employers and education bodies to understand workforce needs, raise awareness of career opportunities, and help address skills gaps. His remit includes mapping training requirements, building partnerships with STEM organisations and careers advisors, contributing to a review of apprenticeship pathways, and identifying opportunities to expand and fund new initiatives.

On taking up the position, Harvey said he is looking forward to engaging with the industry, understanding the challenges and supporting the development of the future workforce. Miriam Rodway, Chief Executive of the IOR, described the appointment as a visible and practical step in building relationships, gathering information and meeting members to discuss how the Institute can help address skills issues.

Harvey brings more than two decades of experience in employer engagement, education outreach and national skills development. His career has focused on connecting industry, education and communities to tackle shortages in technical sectors, particularly construction, and he has worked extensively on partnerships, policy influence and programmes that open STEM careers and apprenticeships to wider audiences.