Carl Gilleard, Chief Executive, The Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR)

Carl Gilleard was appointed chief executive in 1998. Previously he spent nine years as the Executive Director of a national recruitment consultancy charged with improving the recruitment and retention of graduates into local government. He was also joint regional director of the West Midlands Employers Organisation. The earlier part of his career was spent in Education Management and Personnel work.

He is co-author of ‘If Only I’d Known’ published in 2002 as a resource for young people to help them maximize the benefits of their higher education experience. More than 60,000 copies were ordered by schools and colleges throughout the UK.

He is currently a member of Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, QAA Code of Practice on Careers Guidance Working Group, UUK/SCOP Burgess Steering Group on Measuring and Recording Student Achievement and the subsequent Implementation Group, University of Reading’s Career Management Skills Steering Team, UK NARIC Advisory Council, Trustee on Inspiring Futures Foundation’s Council, NTFS Project on Researching and Evaluating Personal Development Planning and E-Portfolio Practice Steering Group, NTFS Project on Disability and Employability Steering Group, Advisory Forum for the Independent Review of HE Funding & Student Finances and Gateways to the Professions Collaborative Forum.

Previously he has been a member of The Harris Review of the Higher Education Careers Service and Implementation Group, ESECT – the Enhancing Student Employability Co-ordination Team, Higher Education Funding Council for England’s Quality Assurance Framework Review Group, Higher Education Academy’s Employers’ Advisory Group, Chairman, National Council for Work Experience Steering Group and CIPD Counselling and Career Management Forum Advisory Group