New Go Skills chair says new licence top priority

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Sunday, 08, Jul 2007 12:00

Nick Mitchell takes over as Stephen Telling steps down

Nick Mitchell, new Chairman of GoSkills, the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for Passenger Transport, has made gaining re-licensing his top priority as his appointment was announced today.

Mr Mitchell is the former HR Director for the Go-Ahead Rail Group and before that Virgin Trains, prior to rail privatisation he was Deputy Managing Director of Intercity West Coast. He now runs a consultancy business and serves on the Railway Pensions Commission.

Mr Mitchell takes over from outgoing Chairman Stephen Telling, Chairman and Chief Executive of Tellings Golden Miller Group PLC, who has held the role since July 2006 following the resignation through ill-health of the late Chris Moyes OBE.

Mr Mitchell already has substantial knowledge of GoSkills having been appointed as a non-executive Board director in January 2006 and also acting as Chairman of the company’s Stakeholder Board. He says: “On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Stephen Telling for his contribution to GoSkills over the last eighteen months. Stephen has ensured GoSkills’ role and work has been understood by our sector and this will go a long way to bolstering our case for re-licensing. I am looking forward to this new challenge, we have a new Commission for Employment and Skills coming into operation this year and they need to know what we have achieved and what we plan to do in relation to the challenging Leitch skills agenda.

“We must also ensure effective implementation of the Sector Skills Agreement and continue to promote GoSkills’ mission to be the first port of call on skills issues in passenger transport.”

Peter Huntington, GoSkills’ Chief Executive, added: “We welcome Nick’s appointment as our Chair. His strong background in the rail industry has given us insight into the skills and training requirements of the industry. Nick’s close involvement with employees as part of his previous work in industrial and employee relations, personnel, and training and development, means he is well informed on the issues that cut across our sector. I should also like to echo Nick`s comments on our outgoing Chairman. Stephen took over at a difficult time for GoSkills but immediately reassured staff with his clear grasp of the issues and his general support and accessibility. We are delighted he remains on the Board. ”

Ends

Press enquiries please contact:

Richard Tibenham – Communications Manager - 0121 635 5530, email: richard.tibenham@goskills.org

or Fraser Tennant – Communications Executive – 0121 635 5531, email: fraser.tennant@goskills.org