Gilbert joins skills body

Manchester University's vice-chancellor will represent higher education on the new UK Commission for Employment and Skills. Alan Gilbert joins 19 business and trade union leaders on the commission, which will be established in April 2008 and will take on the functions of the Sector Skills Development Agency and National Employment Panel. The founding of the commission was a recommendation of Lord Leitch's report on skills. Ioan Morgan, principal of Warwickshire College, will represent further education.