Following the recent announcement that the British Council is set to become the national agency for Erasmus+, the British Council can announce that Maddalaine Ansell, the British Council’s Director Education, has been appointed Erasmus+ National Agency Director Designate.
The Erasmus+ National Agency Director and the wider National Agency team will work closely with the Department for Education, the devolved governments and the European Commission to make the most of the opportunities of the programme for the UK.
Incoming Erasmus+ National Agency Director Maddalaine Ansell said: “It is widely recognised that the UK needs a globally skilled workforce to negotiate, connect and trade internationally. Joining the programme will provide greater opportunities for UK-based young people to gain international experiences.
“Erasmus+ will create educational and training opportunities and the chance to develop life skills not only for British school pupils and students in higher or further education, but for thousands of apprentices, adult learners, and staff working in education, young people, youth workers, and sports sector professionals.
“Erasmus+ will be of enormous benefit to thousands of people from different backgrounds, and those that work with them, throughout the UK, giving them a global outlook and a whole range of skills of value to themselves, to employers and to the UK.”
Maddalaine brings extensive leadership experience in education policy, international collaboration, and public sector strategy. She has been the British Council’s Director of Education since November 2018 and had led the organisation’s global education strategy and policy portfolio, whilst also overseeing the successful delivery of a range of Education programmes and projects for both the UK government and international funders and partners.
Prior to joining the British Council, Maddalaine was Chief Executive of University Alliance, representing professional and technical universities, and spent 11 years in the UK Civil Service in senior roles across departments including the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Home Office, HM Treasury and Number 10.
Earlier in her career, she trained and practised as a corporate lawyer with the major international firms, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Sullivan & Cromwell.
Overall, her background combines strategic leadership, a deep understanding of international education cooperation and the ability to build partnerships across government, education sectors, and international stakeholders.