CBI welcomes appointment of Sir Michael Rake as chair of the new Commission for Employment and Skills

The CBI has welcomed the appointment of Sir Michael Rake as chair of the new Commission for Employment and Skills, which starts work in April 2008.

Rake was previously international chairman of business services firm KPMG, and will shortly take up the post of chair at communications giant BT.

Richard Warner, principal policy adviser at the CBI, told Personnel Today: “Rake is a high-profile, successful businessman. We are very happy with his appointment.”

The commission, set up in response to the Leitch Review, aims to increase employer engagement and investment in skills.

The new body will take over the Sector Skills Development Agency, the governing body of the UK’s network of sector skills councils, and the National Employment Panel, which advises government on labour market policies and performance.

Warner said he hoped the new commission was not just a rebadging exercise.

“We want to make sure the [Leitch] reforms are in place – employers are looking for progress,” he said.

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