Lindsay Conroy to lead Association of Apprentices into new growth phase in 2026
Lindsay Conroy, former head of apprenticeships at UCAS, is set to become the new Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Apprentices (AoA) in January 2026, succeeding Emily Rock. Conroy’s appointment marks a significant transition for the AoA, a prominent support network for nearly 50,000 apprentices, founded by high-profile figures including the government’s former apprenticeship ambassador Jason Holt and Sir Peter Estlin, a former Lord Mayor of the City of London.
Conroy brings over 25 years of experience in apprenticeships, having spent four years at UCAS where she was instrumental in pivotal developments such as incorporating apprenticeship vacancies on the UCAS platform and assigning tariff points to apprenticeships to facilitate access to higher education applications. Before her tenure at UCAS, she worked with multiple training providers including Learndirect, First4Skills, and Haddon Training, and has recently consulted for the 5% Club, an employer membership body chaired by AoA co-founder Jason Holt.
According to Sir Peter Estlin, chair of the AoA’s board, Conroy’s appointment is a strategic choice to drive the organisation’s next phase of growth. He highlighted her "deep experience, proven credibility, and a clear vision for growth," emphasising the AoA’s readiness to expand its reach and impact under her leadership to ensure apprenticeships continue to thrive across communities and employers nationwide.
Conroy expressed her commitment to building on the "exceptional work" of her predecessor, Emily Rock, who became AoA’s first CEO in 2022 after joining during its formation in 2020. She underlined apprentices as the core of AoA’s mission and aims to amplify their collective voice across governments, employers, and providers, strengthening policy influence and creating a more effective apprenticeship system. Rock, reflecting on her leadership, described her tenure as "an immense privilege", during which the AoA grew into a strong national advocate for apprentices. She announced her intention to step down to allow fresh leadership to guide the organisation into a period of "exciting growth" while continuing her work in the apprenticeship sector through the St Martin’s Group.
Under Rock's stewardship, the AoA has established itself as a respected platform championing apprentices’ success through robust membership growth, partnerships, and advocacy initiatives. This includes collaborations with key industry players such as Sureserve, a UK energy services company, which recently partnered with the AoA to support the development of the next generation of engineers, particularly addressing skills gaps in renewable energy.
The AoA’s role in the sector extends beyond representation; it actively shapes the apprenticeship landscape through engagement in influential forums like the Apprenticeship Branding Conference, where Rock has shared expertise on innovation and best practices to boost apprenticeship engagement and retention.
In leadership reflections shared by Rock in an ‘Unlocking Leadership’ interview, she emphasised people, vision, and relationships as crucial to driving positive outcomes in apprenticeships. She also highlighted the challenges facing the sector, such as insufficient opportunities and the need for more inclusive practices, underlining the AoA’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion within the apprenticeship community.
Looking ahead, Conroy’s leadership is expected to invigorate the AoA’s advocacy and support functions at a time when apprenticeships are pivotal to addressing the UK’s workforce development needs. With her extensive background and association with key apprenticeship stakeholders, she is well-positioned to advance the AoA’s mission and elevate the profile of apprentices nationally.