Ian Livsey Appointed as new SummitSkills Chair

Ian Livsey, current chief executive of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) has been appointed as the new chair of SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council for building services engineering. He will begin his term on 1st January 2009.

Ian’s contribution to the skills agenda is extensive. Prior to his role with the GLA Ian was chairman of TrustMark, the initiative to protect consumers from rogue traders in the domestic construction sector. He was also formerly managing director of the Centre for Rail Skills, a membership body involving engineering, construction and passenger transport companies in the national rail industry. Before that he was chief executive of the Guidance Accreditation Board, setting standards for adult careers information and guidance.

At SummitSkills Ian will be responsible for leading the organisation to deliver the various projects within the Sector Skills Agreement, ensuring the building services engineering sector has a skilled, sustainable workforce. Another key role will be steering SummitSkills to meet the targets of the Leitch implementation plan and its new governing body, the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES).

Commenting on Ian’s appointment:

Ian Livsey: “I’m delighted to be joining a Sector Skills Council as well regarded as SummitSkills and leading it through the ever-changing and challenging skills landscape. This appointment gives me the opportunity to apply my broad built environment and skills background to help the organisation excel. I look forward to working with the executive team and all staff to take SummitSkills on to achieve even greater things.”

Current SummitSkills chair Simon Bartley: “Leading SummitSkills to the respected state in which it stands today has been a rewarding experience. I’m now pleased to be handing the reins to someone as enthusiastic and committed as Ian.”

SummitSkills’ chief executive Keith Marshall OBE: “I’m hugely grateful to Simon for building SummitSkills to where it is today from scratch, just five years ago. We now welcome Ian to guide the organisation through its next phase of activity and delivering the challenging goals set by Leitch, the UKCES and the skills policies of the devolved administrations.”

Ian has a PhD in physical science and an MBA from WarwickBusinessSchool. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Chartered Management Institute.

Published: 31 July 2008

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