OCN London is a nationally recognised Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation and education charity with a mission to widen participation in education and support adult learners to progress into further learning, employment and opportunity. Operating within a complex and evolving policy and regulatory landscape, OCN London plays a critical role in supporting inclusive routes into education and skills.
Since 2022, Peridot Partners has worked alongside OCN London across multiple trustee recruitment campaigns, supporting the organisation at different stages of its governance journey. By 2026, the partnership had evolved from building board capability to strengthening board effectiveness, judgement and assurance.
Context.
Between 2022 and 2024, OCN London undertook a deliberate programme of governance renewal, appointing trustees with expertise across finance, HR, awarding body regulation, higher education, local authorities and skills policy. These appointments significantly broadened the board’s capability, confidence and diversity of perspectives.
By early 2026, the context had shifted again. With a refreshed five-year strategy, accelerating adult skills reform, and heightened expectations for financial and regulatory assurance, the board’s focus shifted from identifying individual skills gaps to ensuring it could exercise confident scrutiny, interpret external change, and make high-quality decisions in a regulated, mission-led environment. OCN London sought to further strengthen its board with trustees able to operate effectively at the board and committee levels and support the organisation through its next phase.
Brief.
OCN London appointed Peridot Partners to support the recruitment of trustees who could complement an already capable board and enhance governance effectiveness. The brief focused on two priority areas:
a Finance Trustee, able to strengthen financial governance, audit and risk oversight, and contribute actively to the Finance Sub Committee; and trustees bringing policy, social mobility and governance insight, supporting the board to navigate adult skills reform while grounding strategic decisions in learner impact and public benefit.
Success was defined not by seniority alone, but by governance readiness, judgement, values alignment and capacity to contribute meaningfully over time. Peridot worked closely with the Chair and Chief Executive to confirm the brief, develop an inclusive microsite and candidate pack, and agree a structured, transparent assessment framework. Candidates were assessed comparatively within peer groups to ensure clarity of evaluation and focus on board-level contribution rather than operational delivery.
Outcome.
The campaign attracted strong interest from candidates across education, charities, local and combined authorities, and regulated and membership organisations. Following a structured sift, eight candidates were shortlisted for interview across Finance and Policy/Governance specialisms.
The 2026 appointments were shaped by a panel with deep institutional memory, including trustees who had themselves joined OCN London through Peridot-led campaigns earlier in the governance journey.
From the shortlist, four trustees were appointed, selected for the distinct and complementary contributions they bring:
- Finance Trustee: a former CFO and audit committee chair with extensive experience across not-for-profit and regulated environments. This appointment strengthens financial scrutiny, risk management and engagement with auditors and is expected to support confident long term financial planning and assurance aligned to OCN London’s five year strategy.
- Policy & Social Mobility Trustees (x2): two trustees bringing complementary strengths across adult skills policy, higher education, regional and national reform, social mobility and lived experience informed governance. Together, they enhance the board’s ability to interpret policy changes, test their implications for learners, and ensure that equity and quality are embedded in strategic decision-making.
- Governance & Organisational Effectiveness Trustee: a senior leader with deep experience across governance frameworks, operations, HR, risk and compliance in complex, regulated and mission-led organisations. This appointment strengthens board assurance, committee effectiveness and information quality.
While the appointments are recent, these trustees are expected to embed high-quality decision-making over time and support OCN London’s continued impact and resilience. The success of these recruitment rounds has been underscored by consistently positive feedback from both the client and appointed trustees.
“The entire process was effectively and efficiently managed. The quality of candidates was excellent, and we were delighted with the trustees appointed.”Reflecting on the 2026 campaign, he added: “The service provided by Rajia and Peridot was exemplary, as always.”
Carlos Cubillo Barsi, Chief Executive, OCN London
“I have used Peridot both as a client and as a candidate for non-executive and trustee roles, and I have always found them efficient, professional and with a strong grasp of the role.”
Appointed Trustee
“I was motivated to apply by the team at Peridot – doubts turned into confidence and a greater appreciation of my abilities. Following the interview, I was thrilled to be successful and look forward to this new opportunity.”
Appointed Trustee
