York St John University leader takes national role to transform graduate careers advisory service

Barrie Grey, Head of Student and Graduate Employability at York St John University, has been elected as President of the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS). 
 
The 2-year post will see Barrie head up the professional body for careers and employability professionals, who work with higher education students, graduates and prospective entrants to higher education. 
 
Barrie has been leading careers and employability services within higher education since 2011. Prior to that he coordinated career development learning and alternative curriculum at a secondary school in West Yorkshire.   
 
At York St John University Barrie has been driving an ambitious project to embed employability through work-related experiential learning in every course at every level of study. 
 
Barrie, who will also act as Chair of the Board of Trustees for AGCAS, said the role of President would be a huge benefit to students at York St John. 
 
“Our Work Related Experiential Learning puts York St John University at the forefront of preparing students to be work-ready graduates by ensuring that they gain authentic workplace skills,” said Barrie. 
 
“We are creating that journey from applicant to alumni, tailoring career development into their learning to make them as successfully employable as possible. 
 
“Being the President of AGCAS means that, as a University, we can influence at the highest level. We get an opportunity to share the work we are doing at York St John across the higher education sector, and it offers us more networking opportunities and a greater understanding of employability, all of which will be a huge benefit to our students. 
 
“ACGAS is an organisation that advocates for the best student employability outcomes, and this is a commitment to being at the forefront of social justice and social impact. This reflects perfectly York St John University’s commitment to empowering students from all backgrounds with the opportunity to study and thrive in higher education, as evidenced in York St John being named as the University of the Year for Social Inclusion by the Times and the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.” 
 
Martin Edmondson, Chief Executive Officer for AGCAS, described Barrie as someone who “combines wide ranging expertise in careers and employability with a mindset for progression and organisational growth.  
 
“This is particularly important at the moment as AGCAS is at a key inflection point, seeking to transform and ensure that we fully represent all aspects of careers and employability in higher education, at a time when employability has never been more strategically important to university success." 
 
Read about careers, placements and opportunities at York St John University. 
 
Read more about York St John University being named University of the Year for Social Inclusion.