The Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) will appoint as its new chief executive officer Stephen Isherwood, currently the head of graduate recruitment at professional services firm Ernst & Young UK & Ireland (EY), when incumbent Carl Gilleard leaves this summer.

Gilleard, departing in July, will leave the organisation in July after 15 years in the role, with Isherwood taking up his post on 10 June.

AGR chair Terence Perrin paid tribute to both, saying: “On behalf of the Board of AGR, I would like to thank Carl for his vision, energy and commitment in leading AGR over the past 15 years. These will be big shoes to fill, but Stephen is up to the task and we look forward to working with him to build on the AGR’s standing that Carl has worked tirelessly to develop.”

Isherwood, who also previously led graduate recruitment at rival Big Four auditor PwC, comments: “The graduate and higher education [HE] market is shifting enormously – from the focus on employability, to HE funding, visa issues and the growth in alternative employment pathways – and I believe the organisation is ideally placed to navigate these challenges.” 

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