Senior appointment announced at immersive learning company Academii

Siwan Rees has been appointed Commercial Director of the ambitious immersive learning start-up Academii, part of a recruitment drive following the appointment of a dynamic new Managing Director, Adrian Coles last year.

Siwan has over fifteen years of sales and business experience, with a deep understanding of entrepreneurship, business development and recruitment across Wales. Siwan’s most recent role was Managing Director of Newport-based Impact Innovation, Wales’ leading advisory partner for high-growth SMEs. Before this, she was Entrepreneurship Development Manager at NatWest.

Siwan’s recruitment will complement the existing management team and support the drive for further growth in Academii.  Utilising her experience across the business community, Siwan is excited at the opportunity to help the industry unlock talent in the workplace in addition to working in partnership with the Further Education sector, UK & Welsh Government.

Speaking of her appointment Siwan Rees said:

“I’ve had the pleasure of supporting high-growth businesses through the most challenging conditions of our time. One significant observation is the scale of the people challenges that face business in the quest to be more flexible, agile and pluralistic. I am therefore beyond delighted to be joining the team at Academii as they lead the way in developing immersive, innovative and engaging work-based learning solutions that personalise the L&D of the future. Academii helps equip employees with the tools they need whilst supporting employers with the upskilling and reskilling challenges they face due to the pace of change while importantly creating a culture of compliance and staff retention.”

Adrian Coles, Managing Director for Academii said: 

“We are delighted to welcome Siwan as our Commercial Director.  In an era of significant business transformation driven by generative AI and machine learning, Academii is at the forefront of addressing workforce displacement challenges by emphasising practical and immersive workplace learning. Our approach, prioritising skill development in tandem with digital innovation, aims to prepare a workforce adept at navigating technological shifts. Siwan’s appointment is a testament to the traction we’re already gaining in the market and a statement of our intent to support the workforce and our customers, now and in the future.

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Cardiff, Academii utilises the latest advancements in AI and Extended Reality to support workforces across the UK to excel.