CDI Board of Directors

The Board manages the business of the CDI, agreeing the organisation's strategy and having responsibility for the overall governance of the CDI.

The Board comprises up to sixteen directors, up to ten of whom are elected by CDI members (President, President Elect, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Secretary Elect, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Treasurer Elect, Chair of the Ethics and Professional Standards Committee and three directors), up to four elected by the Board and up to two co-opted by the Board. The CDI President serves one two-year term, preceded by acting as President Elect for a one-year term to ensure continuity. All other directors can serve up to two terms of three years each.

The Board comprises of the following roles:

CDI Board roles December 2025

Finance and Risk Committee

Minutes of Board meetings

Standing for the Board

Board Appointments Committee

President - Ryan Gibson

Ryan was elected as President Elect in April 2025 and shadowed Pete Robertson until taking over the role of President in December 2025. Ryan will serve as President for a two-year term until December 2027.

Ryan is National System Leader for Careers at Lift Schools (formerly AET) and has recently spent two years on secondment to the Gatsby Foundation as an adviser on their 10-year review of the Gatsby Benchmarks. Ryan is also Vice-Chair of the National Consortium Board for the Quality in Careers Standard, is an Associate for iCeGS at the University of Derby and is on the Leadership Council of Maths4Girls.

Honorary Secretary - Claire Johnson

Claire was elected as Honorary Secretary Elect in April 2025 and took on the role of Honorary Secretary from December 2025. Until October 2024, Claire was the Head of Professional Development & Standards at the CDI, where she had worked since 2014, and has since supported the CDI's work as an Associate.

Claire has had a key role in developing and delivering qualifications, training and professional standards throughout her career, and will bring her knowledge and skills to the Board, as well as her history with the CDI and its predecessors to the Hon Sec role.

Chair of the Ethics and Professional Standards Committee - John Walker

John was elected as the Chair of the Ethics and Professional Standards Committee in August 2023. As Chair of the Committee, John also sits as a Director on the CDI Board.

Directors elected by Members

John Ambrose

John Ambrose joined the CDI Board in December 2021 and was re-elected in November 2024. He has over 20 years experience as a practising career development professional. He co-founded Complete-Careers LLP and oversees the business's operations including Career Mark - a Licensed Awarding Body for the Quality in Careers Standard.

Gina Visram

Gina Visram is a boundless enthusiast of facilitating all things “careers”. As a qualified careers guidance professional, her roles include head of careers, freelance careers consultant, founder, and career coach.

An elected board member since April 2023, Gina is excited to be part of the team supporting the strategic direction of the CDI.

Mark de Backer

Mark de Backer is the Head of Careers at Education Development Trust and was elected to the CDI Board in April 2025. Mark has worked in the careers profession for over 25 years, supporting both young people and adults, and for the last ten years has held a leadership position at EDT. Mark is a passionate advocate for the power of personal guidance.

Directors appointed by the Board

Nikki Lawrence

Nikki Lawrence was elected to the Board in 2022 having previously sat on the Board as a co-opted Director.

Nikki Lawrence is a qualified accountant (ACMA) and joined Careers Wales in 2004. She has over 20 years’ experience in both private and public sectors.

Uuganaa Ramsay

Uuganaa was appointed to the Board in April 2024.

Pippa Allner

Pippa was appointed in April 2024. Pippa is a Registered Career Development Professional working with young people for 22 years in the Youth Offending Service, Secondary, Primary and Further Education. Pippa is the Personal Development Manager (Careers Leader) at Bournemouth & Poole, managing the careers service. Pippa is an Assessor for Careers Guidance qualifications and was CDI South West Regional Rep.

Tariq Sadiq

Tariq was appointed in April 2024. Before becoming the Careers Lead at a sixth form in Cambridge, Tariq was in university administration, fundraising and development. He was a County Councillor and once stood for parliament. Hi is on an Alternative Provision academy advisory board and a director of a community interest company working on reducing inequality.

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