From pineapples to PIEoneer: Keralite co-founder leads ISDC to global glory

Kochi: International Skill Development Corporation (ISDC), a global leader in British education and skills, has achieved a remarkable milestone by winning the prestigious PIEoneer Awards 2025 in London. Recognised worldwide as a benchmark for excellence in international education, the PIEoneer Awards celebrate innovation, collaboration and impact. ISDC emerged victorious in the Public–Private Partnerships in Education category, standing out among six world-renowned finalists.

ISDC, founded nearly a decade ago by Tom Joseph, a native of Vazhakkulam, fondly known as Kerala’s “the city of pineapple”, in Ernakulam district and Julien Machot, a French investment banker, works extensively with governments, professional bodies and universities in the UK and across the globe. It has impacted over half a million learners across the globe through its various initiatives. In India, it collaborates with over 350 universities, including many of the country’s leading institutions.

One of ISDC’s flagship initiatives, the capacity building project in developing countries in partnership with the Governments, providing alternative education pathways to school leavers, secured its place among the finalists.

The glittering awards ceremony, held at the historic Guildhall in London, brought together more than 500 leaders, innovators and changemakers from around the world. ISDC’s triumph was particularly noteworthy as it edged out global giants including Kaplan International (UK), Arizona State University (US), QA Higher Education, Ulster University (UK), Laurel Springs (US) and Pagoda Projects (UK) with TupuToa (New Zealand).

“This recognition reflects ISDC’s unwavering mission to create meaningful partnerships that transform education globally. At the heart of our work is the learner, and this award acknowledges our commitment to bridging academia with real-world practice, preparing students to thrive in a future-ready world,” said Teresa Jacobs, Executive Director – Learning, ISDC.

Co-founder Tom Joseph, Executive Director for Strategy & Development, added, “This award is a testament to ISDC’s belief that meaningful partnerships can transform education. We are deeply honoured to be recognised among the world’s best and this motivates us to continue creating pathways that shape the future of learners worldwide.”

Tom, who moved to the UK as a student in 2007, co-founded ISDC to spread British education internationally. He played a pivotal role in introducing British professional qualifications, including the the most popular one such as ACCA, to India, where ISDC is now one of the world’s largest ACCA providers. Since inception, Tom has spearheaded ISDC’s strategy, designing new education products, building sustainable processes and shaping market and brand directions.

Beyond ISDC, Tom serves as Director of New Initiatives at Jain Deemed-to-be University and is the Chief Facilitator of the Future Kerala Mission, an initiative of Jain University’s Kochi campus aimed at making Kerala a better place to live. He is also actively involved in the online & digital learning space through various initiatives. He also serves on the boards of global organisations such as the World Design Council, Institute of Analytics and AI Society International, and is a founding member of the Bengaluru Design Festival. An active angel investor, Tom supports start-ups in Kerala and abroad, spanning sectors like education, edtech, retail, e-commerce, technology, hospitality and fintech.