James Kelly, CEO and Co-Founder, Corndel

Describe your career to date

After leaving university, my first job at the House of Commons was as a researcher focusing on the UK labour market and skills development. After this, I transitioned into management consultancy, working on critical projects within the skills, education, and training sectors. In these roles, I understood the industry fully: what was done well and what could be done better. I then spent time as a special advisor to the Secretary of State of Work and Pensions, seeing the vast difference that education and training can have on people’s lives. Recognising the changes in business skills required for the economy and changes in government policy, I started looking at business opportunities. I realised the most significant way to have an impact was through high-quality workplace training and development, and I wanted to be part of an organisation that brought a new approach to this area. As a result, I co-founded Corndel in 2016. We are a strategic skills partner and data skills training company. We are all about delivering high-impact skills development programmes for the modern workforce, allowing individuals to be their professional best in data, tech, and leadership at all points in their careers. With over 300 brilliant in-house professional coaches, Corndel delivers award-winning programmes to thousands of learners, allowing businesses to excel. Corndel focuses on programmes that give learners data analytical and data literacy skills to be high-performing business professionals. Improving people’s lives through high-quality training has been the driving force of Corndel, and I have been so privileged to see the impact of our programmes on our learners and clients.