Lesley currently manages the research asset and strategic planning and performance management process within the Commission

Prior to this, Lesley was Acting Director for Strategy and Research (2006-08), and Head of Research (2002-06), at the Sector Skills Development Agency, an umbrella organisation, set up in 2002 to license and performance manage the Sector Skills Councils as part of the Skills for Business network.

In addition, Lesley has worked in a variety of other roles across Government undertaking skills and/or employment research and policy analysis: including for the Department for Education and Employment, the Employment Service and the Cabinet Office. Prior to joining the Government, Lesley was a researcher for the Institute for Employment Studies, the University of Portsmouth’s Business School, and the University of Central England. Her research interests cover skills, employment and human resource management. She is also a graduate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.