The Efekta Education Group, an offshoot of Education First, revealed the appointment this afternoon amid the company’s expansion drive – with new or expanded partnerships with governments across Southeast Asia, Central Asia and Latin America.
Sir Nick, formerly the leader of the Liberal Democrats and UK deputy Prime Minister in the Cameron-Clegg coalition from 2010 to 2015, subsequently took on positions at the technology giant Meta, serving as its chief policy decision-maker until last year.
Efekta uses an AI-powered platform to help users learn the English language, with teachers and pupils using it to help them improve their language skills.
Although many of the company’s contracts are with large corporate companies, it has signed several with governments around the world. In Latin America, for example, some 750,000 students in Paraná, Brazil used Efekta’s AI language learning platform to score a 32% improvement on the state’s standardised English test after using the platform between 2022 and 2024.
I am excited to support the team as they work with governments and institutions around the world to turn innovation into real educational impact
Sir Nick Clegg
Sir Nick emphasised his beliefs that education can be a catalyst for social mobility, with technology due to play an increasingly important role.
“Efekta’s focus on solving teacher shortages in regions like Southeast Asia and Latin America by using AI to strengthen teaching, rather than sideline it, is exactly the kind of approach education systems need,” he said. “I am excited to support the team as they work with governments and institutions around the world to turn innovation into real educational impact.”
Efekta said it hoped that Sir Nick’s networks across governments, industry and the technology sector would help the company to engage with policymakers and “accelerate partnerships”.
“We are delighted to welcome Sir Nick Clegg to Efekta’s advisory board. His vast experience across both education and technology policy brings invaluable perspective at a pivotal moment for our company and for global education more broadly,” said Efekta CEO Stephen Hodges. “As we continue to scale internationally, Sir Nick’s insight and leadership will help us ensure our technology delivers real learning outcomes for teachers and students around the world.”
Sir Nick is not the only political appointee to the new advisory board. It is chaired by politician José Manuel Barroso, who was President of the European Commission between 2004 and 2014 and Prime Minister of Portugal from 2002 to 2004.
