EAL strengthens team of industry experts

EAL (EMTA Awards Limited), the awarding organisation specialising in providing qualifications for the engineering industry, has strengthened its team of industry experts with the appointment of Charles Leigh, a former General Manager at City and Guilds. Charles will take a consultant role with EAL.

Charles began his career as a bridge design engineer for British Rail, where he worked for 16 years before founding and running his own construction firm. After 30 years of hands-on industry experience, Charles moved into the education sector, training as a further education lecturer. In 1993 he secured the position as Qualification Manager for BTEC, which became Edexcel. He then moved to City and Guilds, where his role saw him oversee a range of qualifications including, engineering, manufacturing, construction, and building services.

At EAL, Charles is tasked with the strategic development of the specialist awarding organisation’s Enginuity -defined sectors; aerospace, automotive, electrical, electronics marine, mechanical, metal, science and bioscience.

“We are delighted that Charles has joined our team,” comments Ann Watson, Managing Director of EAL. “There’s no doubt that his experience is unmatched in our sector – both in terms industry experience as well as his the roles he has held in the education sector. He will play an invaluable part in EAL’s plan to further strengthen its vocational qualifications offering to the engineering sector. We always say, an organisation is only as good as its people, and with Charles’ appointment, EAL is proud to add the very best to our, already highly respected, team.”

Charles comments, “I am looking forward to contributing to the development of an established and well respected awarding organisation. EAL has an exciting future ahead of it, which I am proud to be part of. Building on EAL’s 40 years of experience in the UK focusing on high-skilled and specialist sectors, the challenge we face will be quickly identifying and meeting the opportunities that arise as global needs prompt change. Part of my remit will be to explore overseas opportunities, as well as further develop our offering to the UK market.”