Press Release

Skills for Justice welcomes new appointment at UK Commission for Employment and Skills

20 November 2007

Skills for Justice, Sector Skills Council for the Justice sector, has welcomed the appointment of Chris Humphries to the post of Chief Executive of the new UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES).

The organisation comes into being on 1st April, and the current Director General of City & Guilds will take up his new post in the new year.

The establishment of UKCES was a key recommendation of the independent report by Lord Leitch entitled 'Prosperity for all in the global economy – world class skills', which was published in December.

The CES will be tasked with securing a highly skilled workforce for the UK, increasing employment levels and engaging with more people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the workforce.

It is anticipated that the work of UKCES will be closely aligned to that of the Sector Skills Councils. John Randall is Chair of Skills for Justice, the Sector Skills Council for the Justice sector. He said:

"This appointment is excellent news. I have worked with Chris at City & Guilds, and on committees at the former NCVQ. I know from personal experience of his commitment to the skills agenda. I look forward to working with him to forge an effective partnership between UKCES and the Sector Skills Councils."

Alan Woods OBE, Chief Executive of Skills for Justice said:

“Improving skills levels is undoubtedly the most challenging, and the most important issue facing the UK today. The formation of UKCES represents a renewed focus on skills and coordinated approach to workforce development. This can only be a positive thing for employers within the Justice sector and those working within it.”