Gemma Painter is the Head of Further Education at the National Union of Students, with strategic responsibility for NUS’ FE policy and campaigns work, as well as developing national and local systems of student representation. Gemma works closely with NUS’ Vice President for Further Education.

She represents NUS on the UCAS/DfE Qualifications and Progression Group, the BIS Careers Guidance Stakeholder Engagement Group, the Learning Records Service Customer Scrutiny Group, and the Institute of Education’s 14-19 Alliance.

Gemma is now in her fourth year of working for the National Union of Students. Prior to becoming Head of Further Education, she was Policy Officer (Further Education), during which time her role was to engage FE students in national education policy issues. Prior to this, she supported and developed students’ unions in the Midlands and East of England.