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Business leaders appointed to board for UK employment and skills commission

10 December 2007

The Government today announced the Commissioners who will be members of the new UK Commission for Employment and Skills.

Innovation, Universities and Skills Secretary John Denham said:

I am pleased we have been able to attract a board of such a high calibre with such a broad range of representation from the private, public and third sectors, and from the trade unions. The UK Commission will have an unprecedented opportunity to influence the employment and skills systems of the four nations of the UK, helping our systems be more responsive, relevant and high performing for the 21st century.

Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain said:

Our aim is to achieve an 80% employment rate, but to do that we must ensure those looking for work have not just the drive but the skills to equip them for the modern work place. This is an impressive board bringing together a range of individuals with an outstanding track record of delivery in their fields. They will be driving change, helping to deliver economic competitiveness, social justice, and opportunity for all.

The establishment of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills was a key recommendation of the independent report by Lord Leitch 'Prosperity for all in the global economy - world class skills'. Sir Michael Rake, chair of BT is the Chair of the UK Commission; his appointment was announced in June 2007.

Sir Mike said:

These appointments have been approved by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretaries of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, Work and Pension, and Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, and Ministers from the Devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This level of interest and endorsement signals the importance that employment and skills issues have at the highest levels of Government. We have a valuable and challenging role ahead. I look forward to working with my Board and with stakeholders across the nation to build a system of excellence to achieve our ambitions for a world class workforce.

Name Role Sector
Lord Victor Adebowale Chief Executive, Turning Point  
Jeremy Anderson Head of Financial Services, KPMG Europe Financial Services
Sarah Anderson Director, Simple Solutions Ltd Recruitment
Brendan Barber General Secretary, Trades Union Congress  
David Brennan Chief Executive Officer, AstraZeneca Manufacturing/Pharmaceuticals
Stephen.A.Carter Group Chief Executive, Brunswick Group LLP Media/communications
Murray Coleman Chief Executive Officer, Bovis Lend Lease Construction
Professor Alan Gilbert President & Vice-Chancellor, The University of Manchester Higher Education
Philip Green Chief Executive, United Utilities plc Utilities
Larry Hirst Chief Executive, IBM United Kingdom Limited IT
Christopher Hyman Chief Executive, Serco Group plc Business Services
Julie A Kenny Managing Director, Pyronix Ltd Manufacturing
Sir Robert Kerslake Chief Executive, Sheffield City Council Local Authority
Richard Lambert Director-General, CBI  
Charlie Mayfield Chairman, John Lewis Partnership Retail
Ioan Morgan Principal, Warwickshire College Further Education
Dave Prentis General Secretary, UNISON  
Liz Sayce Chief Executive, RADAR  
Grahame Smith General Secretary, Scottish Trades Union Congress  
Valerie Todd Managing Director for Group Services, Transport for London Transport

Notes to Editors

  1. These appointments are for up to three years and have been made following the Code of Practice of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
  2. The Chair of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills is Sir Michael Rake, Chair of BT. Sir Michael was a member of the CBI's President's Committee from 2001 to 2006, and is a member of the CBI International Advisory Committee. He is a member of the International Business Council of the World Economic Forum. He is Chair of Business in the Community, and is on the Board of the Prince of Wales' International Business Leaders Forum. He is a Vice-President of the Royal National Institute for the Blind, and is on the Advisory Board of the Judge Institute at the University of Cambridge. Chris Humphries is the newly appointed Chief Executive. He will take up post in January 2008. He was appointed as Director General of City & Guilds - one of the largest Awarding Bodies - in April 2001. He was formerly Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce from 1998-2001, and Chief Executive of the TEC National Council from 1994-1998. Chris was a founder member of the national Learning and Skills Council.
  3. The UK Commission for Employment and Skills will operate across the UK and was a recommendation of the independent report by Lord Leitch 'Prosperity for all in the global economy - world class skills' and published in December 2006. The UK Commission will play a central role in raising the UK's skills base, improving productivity and competitiveness, increasing employment and making a contribution to a fairer society. It will play a critical part in securing for the UK the ambitions of achieving a world class profile on skills by 2020 and the aspiration of an 80% employment rate.
  4. The UK Commission will be established in April 2008 and will take on many functions of two existing bodies - the Sector Skills Development Agency and the National Employment Panel - which will close in 2008.
  5. Sector Skills Development Agency was established in 2002 and is responsible for funding, supporting and monitoring the network of 25 Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). An employer-led Board provides additional strategic support and advice. The SSDA is a non-departmental public body with representatives across the UK. http://www.ssda.org.uk
  6. The National Employment Panel is composed of top business executives along with public sector and community leaders. They provide independent advice on welfare reform and labour market issues to Ministers in the Treasury, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Department for Education and Skills. http://www.nationalemploymentpanel.gov.uk