Make UK has appointed Rt Hon Robert Halfon as its new Executive Director responsible for Policy Membership and External Affairs. He replaces Ben Fletcher who has left to take up a Chief Executive role with another trade body.
Robert Halfon is a former MP for Harlow from 2010 to 2024 and has been at the forefront of apprenticeships and skills policy development throughout his career. He served as Minister of State for Apprenticeships at the Department for Education (DfE) twice – from 2016 to 2017 and 2022 to 2024.
He was previously Chair of the Education Select Committee and was awarded Minister of the Year in 2024, Spectator Backbencher of the Year in 2022 and Spectator Campaigner of the Year in 2013. He also previously chaired the Make UK Skills Commission.
Robert’s extensive work on skills and apprenticeships has transformed opportunities across the UK. As Skills and Apprenticeships Minister, he changed careers advice to ensure apprenticeships were promoted in schools, launched the Skills for Life campaign and supported the development of UCAS for Apprenticeships to give apprenticeships equal status with university applications.
He also eliminated training costs for SMEs who hire young apprentices and ended the cap on the number of apprentices SMEs can employ. Robert legislated for the Lifelong Learning Entitlement to transform adult access to skills.
Commenting on his appointment, Robert Halfon said:
“I am excited to join Make UK, the most influential business group in the UK representing ‘the makers’ – our manufacturers. I look forward to working with members, supporting policy development – especially on skills – and making sure the Make UK mission is spread far and wide.”
Stephen Phipson, Chief Executive of Make UK, said:
“Ben Fletcher has made a huge contribution to our work over the past seven years and we wish him every success as he progresses to the next phase of his career. We are very pleased to have Rob join Make UK and bring his extensive campaigning and policy experience to the benefit of the UK manufacturing sector. Skills shortages are one of the key limitations to economic growth in the UK and Rob’s vast experience as one of the UK’s foremost experts in this area will be hugely beneficial as we work through the implementation of the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy.”
Lord Richard Harrington, Make UK Chair, said:
“Rob will bring invaluable knowledge of Westminster and Whitehall that will help Make UK build on its campaigning role for manufacturers across the UK. In particular, his expertise across the skills landscape, especially on Apprenticeships, will be especially vital in helping the sector tackle one of the biggest challenges it faces in building a talent pipeline for the future.”
