Lesley Giles, an original founder and Director of Work Advance alongside Heather Carey, now focuses on policy advisory work on skills and employment as Director of Lesley Giles Associates.

She has held numerous management and analytical roles, including at the Work Foundation (owned by Lancaster University), the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, the Sector Skills Development Agency, and across central government, including the Department for Education and Employment and the Cabinet Office. She also has extensive international experience, including for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Lesley is currently Vice Chair of Governors at Leicester College and a Trustee at YMCA Derby. She has previously served as a governor at the University of Derby and as a Non-Executive Director at the consultancy CfE Research.