Edinburgh learning firm to Virgin Money and Standard Life Aberdeen appoints boss

A training business that can count Virgin Money, Famous Grouse-maker Edrington and Standard Life Aberdeen among its client list has appointed a new boss.

John Yates will head the Emerald Works part of the group. Emerald Works has offices in Edinburgh, London, Horsham, the US and Australia.

John Yates will be joining the Emerald Group board as chief executive of Emerald Works, following the planned retirement of Peter Casebow from his position.

The Emerald Works brand was rolled out in January this year, bringing together three learning organisations – Good Practice, Towards Maturity and MindTools – to form a single global company.

Emerald Works, which has offices in Edinburgh, London, Horsham, the US and Australia, now serves more than 2.5 million learners and learning professionals each month, based in 180 countries.

Yates joins from the City & Guilds Group, where he was managing director of its corporate learning businesses, Kineo and the Oxford Group. Prior to this he held leadership roles in BPP Learning Media, Cengage, Oxford University Press and Pearson Education.

He said: “This is a time when leaders and managers need rapid, remote access to trusted, practical online toolkits that are grounded in learning sciences research and solid workplace evidence.

“Starting a new role like this during lockdown will provide me with a really useful insight into the challenges and opportunities inherent in the transfer and application of remote learning.”

Emerald Group boss Richard Bevan said: “This year has been an exciting time for Emerald Works, and I’m looking forward to seeing how John will lead, inspire and take the business forward.

“At the same time, I would like to thank Peter for his hard work, dedication and passion that he has brought to not only our business, but the industry throughout his career.”

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