Leadership changes to Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board’s Employer Equalities Group
A leading industry representative and a former apprentice have taken up new leadership positions within the Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board’s (SAAB) Employer Equalities Group (EEQ).
Director of Devolved Government at Microsoft, Stevie Grier is stepping down as Chair but will remain closely involved as SAAB’s lead advisor on equality themes.
Taking on the role of Chair is Natalie Buxton, Managing Director UK Networks at Weber Shandwick. She will be joined by Sonja Jillich, former Graduate Apprentice at JP Morgan, who moves from SAAB’s Apprentice Engagement Group to become Vice Chair of EEQ.
Building a fair and inclusive apprenticeship system is vital to ensuring opportunities are accessible to everyone, regardless of background.Natalie Buxton, Chair, Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board Employer Equalities Group
Stevie Grier said: “It has been a huge privilege to chair the SAAB EEQ Group over the last five years, and I am proud of the impact the Group has made in that time.
“There has never been a more important time to make sure that the apprentice family of opportunities in Scotland are accessible to all and represent the huge and welcoming diversity of Scotland as a nation.
“The work done by the Gender Commission, the Race Commission, on Care Experience recommendations and in so many areas of apprenticeships in the last five years has significantly moved the Equalities dial in Scotland.
“I welcome Natalie Buxton as incoming Chair, Natalie brings huge passion, energy and leadership to Equalities, both in SAAB and beyond, and I wish her every success going forward – EEQ is in the very best of capable hands.”
Natalie Buxton said: "I’m honoured to take on the role of Chair of the SAAB Employer Equalities Group. Building a fair and inclusive apprenticeship system is vital to ensuring opportunities are accessible to everyone, regardless of background.
“I look forward to continuing Stevie’s great work in partnering passionate employers across Scotland to champion equality, challenge barriers, and drive meaningful change."
Sonja Jillich added: “I’m looking forward to stepping into the role of Vice Chair of the Employer Equalities Group. Apprenticeships shaped my own career, so getting involved in a group that tackles inequalities and champions access is close to my heart.
“Having been part of the Apprentice Engagement Group for several years, I’ve been fortunate to help drive change through the Race Commission and community careers fairs.
“Working alongside inspiring leaders like Natalie Buxton and Stevie Grier, I’m eager to build on the important progress already made, put the recommendations of the Race Commission into action, and continue ensuring apprenticeships reach and benefit as many people as possible.”
The leadership transition comes at a time of major reform across the apprenticeship system. EEQ has a central role to play in ensuring equality is embedded into these changes. The group will work with the Scottish Government and employers to implement recommendations from the Gender, Race and Care Experienced commissions, and to support Equality Impact Assessments across Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships.
SAAB continues to demonstrate the positive role employers can play in shaping Scotland’s skills system. Ensuring apprenticeships remain accessible is vital, particularly for underrepresented groups who face barriers to employment.
More information on the work of SAAB can be found on the SAAB webpages of the Skills Development Scotland website.