Jennifer Coupland joined CILEX as Chief Executive Officer in September 2025, and was most recently Pro Vice-Chancellor, Skills, at London South Bank University. Prior to that she was CEO of IfATE for six years.
At IfATE she was responsible for setting quality standards in apprenticeships and technical qualifications for careers across the economy, including the legal profession. She has worked with employers and professional bodies to create over 700 apprenticeships, significantly increasing the demand and prestige of the route. Jennifer also launched and grew the T level qualification programme and improved standards in higher technical education.
Before joining IfATE, she held roles as Director of Professional and Technical Education at the Department for Education, Acting Chief Executive of the Standards and Testing Agency, and Deputy Director of the Department for Education and Department for Business Innovation & Skills, Joint Apprenticeships Unit.
Jennifer is also a Non-Executive Director of World Skills UK. The organisation promotes the acquisition of skills and supports international skills competitions, raising the profile of UK talent worldwide.