When we launched Accelerate People in 2019, I thought my years in further‑education leadership had given me a playbook for success. What no one tells you is that running an edtech business isn’t a straight line. It’s a dance between technology, people and timing, and the music changes more often than you’d think.
The first lesson? Relationships matter more than products. I knew partnerships were important, but I underestimated how central they are to growth. The breakthrough moments for Accelerate People have come not from a killer feature release, but from sitting down with training providers and employers, listening to their pain points and co‑creating solutions. Those conversations built the trust that has allowed us to serve more than 6,000 apprentices this academic year. If I’d known that sooner, I would have invested even more time in those early dialogues.
The second? Technology should free people, not replace them. We were proud of our platforms; AP Comply, AP Assess and AP Gateway, because they already harness AI to streamline processes and deliver insight, but it wasn’t until we really leaned into those capabilities that I saw technology truly empower our team. AI isn’t about cutting corners; it’s about giving assessors better information and apprentices more personalised feedback. That shift has allowed our staff to focus on craft more than admin, and it’s one of the reasons we’ve been able to scale quality alongside volume.
The third lesson is about agility. Markets pivot, funding rules shift, and new skills are suddenly in high demand. Rather than fearing change, we’ve learned to treat it as fuel. When demand for digital skills exploded, we expanded into AI and data apprenticeships. When policy emphasised rigour, we strengthened our governance and compliance functions. Every pivot has made us better, more responsive, more resilient, more aligned with what learners and employers need.
If I could speak to my 2019 self, I’d say this: lean into relationships, build tech that elevates people and see change as opportunity. Those insights have helped Accelerate People thrive and they’re what make leading an edtech business so rewarding.
Interested in discussing more? Please connect with me on LinkedIn!
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Apprenticeship Insights: is a ClickZ Media publication in the Education division