Alex Ford

What do you do in the business?

I am the Chief Executive Officer of CT Skills, responsible for shaping the company’s direction and ensuring we continue to grow, innovate, and deliver exceptional results for our learners. My role includes setting the overall strategy, understanding where the market is heading, anticipating what our customers will need next, and making sure we stay one step ahead. A major part of my job is also focused on people and culture. I make sure our core values aren’t just words on a wall but something we live and breathe every day. Day to day, I also manage an incredible group of people across our sales, marketing, bid-writing, and recruitment teams.

What’s your background?

I’ve been at CT Skills for over 20 years, during which I’ve experienced a huge amount of growth and learning. I originally joined the business in sales and marketing, where I learned the importance of understanding our customers and communicating our mission clearly. In 2012, I stepped into the CEO role, giving me the opportunity to help shape the future of the business while staying true to the values that made CT Skills special in the first place. Before joining CT Skills, I worked in recruitment in Birmingham, events in Monaco, restaurants in Paris, bookmakers in Nottingham, and pubs in Derby. I studied French at Liverpool University and now live in Derbyshire with my wife and three daughters.

What’s the best piece of careers advice that you have given or received?

1. Get the skills the world is going to need tomorrow.
2. Take risks when you’re young.
3. Research everything.