Cogent Skills names new chair

Warrington-headquartered Cogent Skills, the UK’s skills leader for the science and technology sector, has appointed David Vineall as its new chair, effective March 2025.

David, currently group chief people officer at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, succeeds Joanna Woolf, who is retiring after four years as chair and 17 years as chief executive.

With extensive industry experience, David has served on the boards of Sellafield Ltd and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board. He was also chairman and director of Energus, a Cumbria-based training business.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to taking up the role as chair of Cogent Skills. It is an organisation which embodies the values I care about, and whose work has never been needed more.

“Across our science-based industries having the right people and skills is vital to achieving net-zero, developing innovative new medicines and diagnostics, and supporting process-based manufacturing.”

Justine Fosh, Cogent Skills group chief executive officer, added: “I’m really pleased to welcome David as our new chair, at a pivotal time for the organisation.

“I look forward to working with him on a range of exciting projects in the years to come, as Cogent brings industry together to help science and technology employers futureproof their workforce for the challenges which lie ahead.

“I would also like to thank Joanna Woolf for all her support and guidance. Her hard work and commitment during her tenures as chair and CEO have been integral to ensuring Cogent Skills is well positioned for future success.”

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