In this episode of the Inspiring Working Lives podcast, we sit down with Mark Smith, who went from being one of Ada College’s first students to now shaping its programs as part of the staff team. Mark shares his journey of growth, resilience, and the full-circle moments that define his story.
We talk about Ada’s growth from a single sixth form to a multi-region college, the challenges of tech education, and how Mark approaches leadership, social purpose, and turning ideas into real opportunities.
Dan Taylor
Managing Director at Morgan Hunt
I am the Managing Director of Morgan Hunt and Pentagon Talent and have held this position since January 2017. Over that period, I have overseen a full-scale change programme that has led to a more defined offering to the businesses long standing clients, a full change of brand, a new CRM and several adoptions of new and innovative tech and the opening of a new business in Scotland. All this has contributed to returning this long-standing business to profit.
In 2023, Morgan Hunt was awarded the NORA award for best large recruitment business for Morgan Hunt’s online presence, The Financial Times listed Morgan Hunt as one of the top 30 British Recruitment Companies and The Recruiter Magazine will feature Morgan Hunt in their Fast 100 for 2023.
I have worked within staffing and recruitment for 28 years. I am a major supporter of APSCo, attending many events throughout the year. I am a firm advocate for greater professionalism within the recruitment industry.
Married with two daughters, outside work interests include playing the drums and supporting the Sussex Cricket Foundation by creating greater access to the sport of cricket within the City of Brighton and Hove.
Mark Smith
CEO at Ada, the National College for Digital Skills
Mark conceived of, founded and scaled Ada, the Government’s National College for Digital Skills, where he is now CEO. Ada is a thriving Further Education College with campuses in central London and Manchester. It achieves fantastic outcomes and progression for its learners and provides a vital pipeline of skilled technical talent to industry. Ada was recently awarded a Kings’ Award for Enterprise in the social mobility category.
Prior to Ada, Mark received his interdisciplinary master’s in education from Harvard University in 2013. Before that he was a member of the inaugural cohort of Teach First teachers, helped launch Lloyds Banking Group's Mobile Banking and Contactless products and established an award winning widening-participation programme.
Mark is a member of DSIT's Responsible AI Advisory Board. He is also a trustee of Plumpton College, a specialist land-based college.
