Multiverse, the fast-growing EdTech company specialising in up-skilling through innovative learning and apprenticeship programmes, has significantly bolstered its leadership with two key appointments. Baroness Martha Lane-Fox, a recognised leader in Britain’s technology sector, has joined Multiverse’s board of directors. Additionally, Jillian Gillespie, a senior finance executive from MongoDB, will step into the role of Chief Financial Officer. These appointments underscore Multiverse’s commitment to growth and excellence amid a surge in demand for AI-driven workforce development.
Baroness Lane-Fox brings a wealth of experience from her three-decade career in technology and entrepreneurship, which has included steering multiple companies to public markets. Currently the President of the British Chambers of Commerce and Chancellor at The Open University, Lane-Fox also co-chairs a government panel focused on advancing technology adoption across public sectors. Her board experience spans several high-profile brands, including Chanel, and previously Twitter (now X), where she served for nearly seven years. Her presence on the Multiverse board is expected to further enhance the company’s strategic direction as it addresses skill shortages in technology and data skills globally.
Multiverse also appointed Jillian Gillespie as Chief Financial Officer. Gillespie’s impressive tenure at MongoDB—a $20 billion developer data platform—equipped her with expertise in scaling operations across international markets. From guiding the company’s Series F funding round to its successful IPO in 2017, she brings valuable experience in managing financial growth and operational excellence. Gillespie’s skill in navigating high-growth environments is anticipated to drive Multiverse’s financial strategy as it continues to expand its offerings and geographic reach.
The leadership moves come as Multiverse experiences back-to-back record-breaking quarters, signalling robust demand for its solutions, particularly in the AI space. In October, the company launched an “AI-Powered Productivity” apprenticeship, the first in the UK to integrate comprehensive training on Microsoft 365 Copilot. AI-based training programmes now account for 22% of Multiverse’s revenue, highlighting the accelerating shift towards digital skills and the vital need for accessible AI education within the workforce.
Multiverse’s expansion into the United States further aligns with the growing need for practical skill-building in AI and technology. According to the company’s research, 87% of U.S. business leaders identify existing skill gaps, while 64% of global businesses lack confidence in implementing AI solutions. Through partnerships with over 1,500 companies, including Meta, Citigroup, KPMG, Capita, and Just Eat, Multiverse is actively addressing this skills crisis with scalable and sustainable learning solutions.
Euan Blair, founder and CEO of Multiverse, expressed his optimism for the company’s future, emphasising the impact of Lane-Fox and Gillespie’s leadership. “Multiverse has the capacity to be a generational British tech success story,” said Blair. “In Martha and Jillian, we’re adding two exceptional leaders who understand both the scale of the global skills crisis and how to build and scale transformative solutions. As we expand our footprint with new products and partnerships, their experience in scaling high-growth tech companies will help us seize this moment and reshape how organisations develop talent in the AI era.”
Baroness Lane-Fox echoed the urgency of building relevant skills across workforces. “The promised gains from technology will never be delivered unless people have the skills to take advantage of them,” she noted. “Across the UK we won’t unlock growth without giving employers access to the skills they need to thrive. The debate about skills reform sorely needs the voice of employers, and I’ll be working to deliver it, alongside companies themselves and learners.”
New CFO Jillian Gillespie also conveyed her enthusiasm about joining Multiverse, citing the company’s mission to pioneer applied learning. “What really attracted me is the opportunity to collaborate with such a talented, genuine, and ambitious team in a fast-growing, dynamic, and rewarding business. I firmly believe that applied, on-the-job learning represents the future of workforce development, and I look forward to applying my experience to an exciting new challenge,” Gillespie stated.
With the additions of Lane-Fox and Gillespie, Multiverse is strategically positioned to drive forward its vision of embedding vital tech, data, and AI skills across industries. As skill demands continue to evolve, Multiverse’s leadership enhancements aim to bring scalable learning solutions to the forefront, meeting the needs of businesses navigating rapid technological change.
