David Blunkett has appointed Bryan Sanderson to be Chair of the new Learning and Skills Council which comes into effect from 1 April 2001 with the implementation of the new post-16 arrangements for education and training.

A business leader with international experience, Mr Sanderson is Group Managing Director of BP Amoco plc and Chief Executive of BP Amoco Chemicals. The DfEE says that "As a leading business figure, he will set the vision for the new body which will lead post-16 learning and skills development."

Mr Sanderson commented: "Learning and skills and the management of 'intellectual' rather that physical property are now increasingly the keys to business success in today's competitive economy. In my business career, I have travelled to many of the 100 countries in which BP Amoco operates, and also lived overseas several times. I have learned a great deal about the approach to learning and skills in other countries, but more importantly, I have been able to look at our own system from the outside.

"I believe the most important role of Learning and Skills Council Chair will be to bring together individuals from different cultures, academic disciplines and work experience, and create a new culture which allows the Learning and Skills Council to meet its significant goals. That must be an empowered culture, with flexibility and authority to local Learning and Skills Councils who will be the engine of change.