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Skills Development Scotland
19/06/2008
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop, today announced the appointment of Damien Yeates to the post of chief executive of Skills Development Scotland.
Ms Hyslop said:
"I am delighted to announce the appointment of Damien Yeates to the post of chief executive of Skills Development Scotland. He brings with him more than 16 years of senior level experience within the economic development and skills sectors in Scotland. He also has a solid track record of running organisations very successfully at chief executive level.
"Skills Development Scotland now has its chair, board members and chief executive in place and an inaugural meeting of the new Board is scheduled for June 24. I look forward to monitoring progress of Skills Development Scotland during the coming months."
Chair of Skills Development Scotland, Willy Roe said:
"Damien Yeates is an excellent choice of chief executive to lead Skills Development Scotland. He has a sound understanding of the challenges to be addressed by SDS and I look forward to working with him, fellow board members and SDS staff to deliver the Scottish Government's vision for skills in Scotland."
Damien Yeates said:
"Skills Development Scotland presents a real opportunity to transform many aspects of Scotland's approach to skills development. It will be vital for all in SDS and all involved in Scotland's skills development to find new ways to work together to rise to the challenge."
Damien Yeates was Chief Executive of learndirect scotland/ Scottish University for Industry, one of the organisations brought together to form Skills Development Scotland. Prior to that he was chief executive of the Govan Initiative which was awarded the Scottish Business Excellence Award in 2005.
SDS came into operation on April 1, 2008 and is a non-departmental public body and a company limited by guarantee.
It was formed by bringing together Careers Scotland, key skills and training elements of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and learndirect scotland/Scottish University for Industry.
Damien Yeates was appointed chief executive of learndirect scotland in October 2006. He was previously chief executive of the Govan Initiative. Damien has more than 16 years' experience gained across a broad range of economic and social initiatives in Glasgow. During the past decade, in partnership with key agencies and individuals, he has initiated a number of highly innovative and successful programmes to promote skills and lifelong learning, including the establishment of the Digital Media Academy, the Community Technology Academy Network and the Blended Learning of Construction Skills (BLOCS) programme. Damien previously held directorships of the Scottish Urban Regeneration Forum and Realizations International Ltd. He holds a Bachelor of Business Studies degree from Dublin City University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Strathclyde.
The pay range of the post is £110,000 to £125,000.