We are delighted to announce Liz Millington FIEP, Senior Programmes Manager at Central London Forward (CLF), is our UK Member of the Month for January 2025!
Liz was nominated by the IEP team for the outstanding support she provided us with our recent Preparing for Connect to Work event, which attracted more than 200 attendees. As a guest speaker, she provided insights into how CLF is adapting to change and leveraging IEP membership to empower London boroughs.
Liz, who became an IEP Fellow in May 2024 is a huge champion for the IEP and of Fellowship, said she was “very honoured to be recognised as IEP Member of the Month and proud to be sharing a platform with a membership of dedicated professionals, passionate about creating change and providing quality support for those most in need.
“Since becoming a Fellow I have seen first-hand how effective the platform is for supporting all of us as dedicated professionals, to shape future provision and ensure our voices are heard. Through training and sharing good practice, webinars and events, the IEP provides an opportunity for us all to join together to be a powerful force for the good. Providing membership for all our central London boroughs means we can now share the platform even more widely and really have a positive impact on front-line provision.
“Being an IEP Fellow is an opportunity to contribute to the mission and vision of IEP, to share good practice, collaborate more widely with others, to add my voice to theirs when calling for change and to look creatively together at what can be done in the future to ensure joined up effective ways of working.
“I began my career in the Unemployment Benefit Offices of the DSS, then went on to spend 15 years working within Further Education. At Havering College I had the role of Community Development Manager, winning a Beacon Award for our outreach and supporting marginalised groups. It was there that I realised that I wanted to do more – to create pathways and a vision for the future for those that had little or no aspirations.
“I very much believe that good work and good health go hand in hand. Therefore, my move into the employability sector seemed like an obvious step for me and over the last 10 years I have been lucky enough to work with some amazing role models, and discover that every day really is an opportunity to learn and grow.
“I have worked for small charities and large corporate organisations and the bottom line is the same – ensuring quality support for people to move into good work. Having managed many of the DWP flagship programmes (WP, WHP, JETS, Pioneer, Restart) I have a clear belief that in order to be the best version of themselves, people must have access to good quality employment and be supported to sustain that work if things get tricky.
“Now at CLF I have the privilege of working closely with 12 of our central London authorities and am a proud champion of devolution and the positive impact it can bring. Our devolved programmes have shown that providing power and resources at a local level ensures the best value for money and targets support where it is needed most.
“Throughout my career I have seen how collaboration and sharing best practice can transform the landscape and lead to better outcomes and creative solutions. I look forward to putting this into practice and working with my IEP Fellow members.”
About Central London Forward
CLF, an IEP Corporate Affiliate Partner, is the strategic sub-regional partnership for Central London supporting 12 local authorities. The goal is to improve the lives of residents by working together to drive inclusive growth within the Central London area, to ensure our residents access the skills, jobs, homes, and support required to benefit from Central London’s dynamic economy.
