In this week's episode, Tim Burnett chats with Kristina Preston, Head of Awarding and Skills Appointments at Peridot Partners. Kristina specialises in executive search for awarding organisations, assessment bodies, and skills providers across the not-for-profit education sector. They discuss:

• The current impact of AI on recruitment within awarding organisations and whether it poses an immediate threat to jobs in the sector
• How AI is being used by both candidates and employers in the recruitment process, including both positive applications and concerning misuse
• The challenge of maintaining entry-level pathways and career development opportunities as automation potentially eliminates traditional starting roles

Kristina shares insights on the "sticky" nature of careers in the awarding sector, driven by strong social purpose and mission-focused work. She explains how AI is currently being used as a tool to enhance recruitment processes rather than replace human judgement, particularly important in a sector where cultural fit and lived experience matter significantly. The conversation explores the growing demand for trustee recruitment and how bringing external expertise from other industry sectors is bringing fresh commercial and digital insights to awarding organisation boards.

A key theme emerges around the human-centred nature of the awarding sector - organisations driven by social mobility, education access, and skills development that rely heavily on values-based leadership and mission-driven professionals. While AI may streamline certain processes, the core purpose of these organisations remains deeply human, suggesting the sector may be more resilient to AI displacement than others.

Connect with Kristina Preston on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinaprestonperidot/

Connect with Tim Burnett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tburnett/

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