Asset Skills new Chief Executive - Sarah Bentley to replace Richard Beamish

October 2011

Former Joint Managing Director of the Centre for Enterprise Sarah Bentley is to take over as Chief Executive of the Sector Skills Council (SSC) Asset Skills when Richard Beamish retires next year.

Sarah Bentley will join Asset Skills, the SSC for facilities management, housing, property, planning, cleaning and parking, as Chief Executive Designate at the end of November and will become CEO when Beamish leaves in the spring.

Current UK Operations Director Steven Proudfoot will become the organisation's Chief Operating Officer.

Sarah Bentley has experience of working with both employers and government on skills issues. Her career has taken her through a variety of senior roles, including at the Learning and Skills Council (now the Skills Funding Agency), the East Midlands, Regional Skills Partnership, OCR Examinations, Calcom and the Centre for Enterprise.

It was at the Centre for Enterprise that she took on the role of Joint Managing Director, increasing the organisation's income stream. Her work with Calcom has included working with international and global businesses to develop effective integrated customer service strategies, and leading on the design and implementation of major programmes for multinational organisations.

Chris Cracknell, Chair of Asset Skills said: "I am delighted that we have, in Sarah, the ideal person to build on the impressive achievements of Asset Skills under Richard Beamish's leadership, and to take us to the next level in a world where skills are becoming more important than ever to business success".

Richard Beamish, Chief Executive of Asset Skills, said: "Sarah's knowledge, ability to work with people and her strategic approach mean that, not only is Asset Skills is safe hands, it can also look to a challenging future with real confidence, making a real difference in the sector.

"The combination of Sarah as CEO and Steven Proudfoot as Chief Operating Officer means we can continue to reflect employer needs and skills and deliver meaningful solutions".