Improve, the Food and Drink Sector Skills Council, has been officially launched and has revealed the identity of its chief executive.
The organisation received approval from Ivan Lewis, the parliamentary under secretary for skills and vocational education. Jack Matthews, former director of the Sector Skills Development Agency, is to be chief executive.
The council has been set up to help recruit, retain, develop and identify a skilled workforce for the food and drink sector.
The major subsectors covered by the organisation include meat, fish, bakery, dairy, frozen and chilled foods, including ice cream, all other food
manufacturing, soft and alcoholic drinks. Paul Wilkinson, chairman, said: “The creation of Improve will help current employers develop a better skilled workforce and make the industry attractive to those considering it as a career.”
Matthews added: “Improve is set to be instrumental in driving skills and productivity.”