Barbara Spicer

Biography

Barbara Spicer CBE is Chief Executive of the Plus Dane Group - a housing association based in Merseyside and Cheshire which works as a Neighbourhood investor (Ni) and owns and manages more than 18,000 homes. She will commence the role in September 2014. She is a Commissioner at the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.

Barbara was previously interim Chief Executive of the Skills Funding Agency from November 2013 to July 2014 and, before that, Chief Executive of Salford City Council for eight years. At Salford Council she led key developments in the city, including the bid to relocate the BBC to Salford Quays at MediaCity UK, creating a development of international significance.

Her career has spanned a range of public service organisations, including Lead Chief Executive for Greater Manchester’s Employment & Skills Partnership. She has worked for many years with Government and its agencies to help individuals make the most of skills opportunities through employment and regeneration initiatives. She was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s New Year honours list 2015.