New Regional Chair for Learning and Skills Council – For approval

Press Information

New Regional Chair for Learning and Skills Council

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) East Midlands, the organisation responsible for ensuring the delivery of high quality education and training for young people and adults, has appointed its new regional chair to lead the new East Midlands Regional Council.

Roger Begy, OBE is leader of Rutland County Council, a board member of the East Midlands Regional Assembly and of East Midlands Tourism, in addition to his interests in the food industry. He takes up the role as the first chair of the East Midlands Regional Council, which will be formally established in September 2008.

Congratulating Roger on his appointment, LSC East Midlands regional director, Tom Crompton said: “As an organisation, we have a single aim; to improve the skills of the nation. Roger has been involved with the LSC since its inception and will now play a key part in driving forward this crucial agenda within the East Midlands, ensuring the voices of employers and learners are heard, and listened to, at the highest level.

“At the same time, I would also like to thank John Kirkland OBE, who previously chaired the LSC East Midlands and has been chair of LSC Derbyshire since 2001, as well as all of the local chairs and council members who have helped us over the years.”

Roger Begy, OBE, responded: “I am excited about the opportunity to work with colleagues at the LSC as we prepare for an important period of change. There has been significant progress over the last few years but much remains to be done and I am looking forward to helping with the next stage of the journey. I aim to bring a pragmatic, commonsense influence to the agenda, sharing the passion of the LSC for improving the skills locally, regionally and nationally.”

The role of the new regional chair is to provide challenge, support, and leadership to the LSC’s work; and in doing so help to shape a world class education and skills system for the East Midlands.

Roger will play a key role in ensuring that the LSC continues to deliver for learners and employers, whilst supporting the LSC during the transition to new delivery arrangements. He will also lead the process for recruiting members to the new Regional Council over the course of the next two months.

Ends

Notes to Editors

Learning and Skills Council

• The LSC exists to make England better skilled and more competitive. We are responsible for ensuring the availability of high-quality education and training for everyone. We have a single goal: to improve the skills of England’s young people and adults to world class standards. Our vision is that young people and adults in England have knowledge and skills matching the best in the world and are part of a truly competitive workforce. We work nationally, regionally and locally to deliver this ambition on behalf of learners and employers. Visit www.lsc.gov.uk/inourhands
• The Further Education and Training Act 2007

The new Regional Councils – established as part of the Further Education and Training Act 2007 – will inform the LSC’s decision making at a regional level, guide progress and make sure the Government’s strategy for education and skills works on the ground.

The Act streamlines the LSC’s “non-executive tier” replacing 47 Local Councils with 9 Regional Councils, resulting in a more simplified, less bureaucratic, structure, as well as being aligned to the organisation of the LSC executive team. In this way, the new Councils will reflect both the local and regional needs of learners and employers.

· Roger Begy, OBE

Roger Begy started his business career as a graduate trainee with Alcan Aluminium before becoming Managing Director of Alcan Polyfoil. Roger has remained in the food industry ever since, running the sweet corn interests of Green Giant in both the UK and Europe, starting a food brokerage business and then joining British Sugar to become Sales and Marketing Director. He moved on to become Deputy Managing Director of the parent company Berisford Bristar, with responsibility for all their food companies in the UK and abroad. He is currently involved in a start up company that has developed a half-calorie sugar. Roger has been Leader of Rutland County Council since 2003. He is a Board Member of the Regional Assembly and of East Midlands Tourism. He was chairman of LSC Lincolnshire & Rutland and a member of the Regional Board since their inception. He received the OBE for services to further education this year.

Lizzie Carr

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