Skills charity WorldSkills UK appointed Rooney Anand as the new chair of its board. Mr Anand, who is chief executive of pub retailer and brewer Greene King, will take up his post in January 2019, replacing Carole Stott.
Mr Anand has led Greene King plc for 13 years and during his tenure, the business has become a FTSE-250 company. He was named business leader of the year at the 2016 Lloyds Bank National Business Awards.
“We are delighted to welcome Rooney to the business at such an exciting time in WorldSkills UK’s development,” said Ms Stott. “Rooney is an experienced leader, who has worked at the highest levels of business across the UK. He is passionate about the future for young people and supporting local communities and has developed a highly successful apprenticeship programme within Greene King that focuses on opportunity for all.”
Business experience
WorldSkills UK chief executive Dr Neil Bentley said: “Carole has done an amazing job as chair of WorldSkills UK over the past six years, and I would like to thank her for her dedication and support as the organisation has evolved. Rooney has a fantastic background and breadth of business experience and has built a reputation for excellence and quality. I am looking forward to working together.”
Mr Anand said boosting the involvement of businesses and governments in WorldSkills UK’s work was key to helping raise the bar on skills and improve the UK’s long-term competitiveness. “I am certain that, with the highly capable and enthusiastic team already in place, WorldSkills UK will go from strength to strength.”
The news comes on the day before the start of WorldSkills UK LIVE (previously known as the Skills Show), which takes place at the NEC in Birmingham from 15-17 November.
In September, Tes Global and WorldSkills UK announced a strategic partnership.
