The Financial Services Skills Council (FSSC) has appointed Sarah Thwaites as its new Director of Skills Development.

The new role is responsible for drawing together all aspects of the FSSC’s work with employers and developing industry solutions designed to meet employers’ needs in a fast-changing environment.

Employers are central to the work of the Skills Council, but Sarah’s appointment becomes particularly pivotal following the publication last December of Lord Leitch’s Review of Skills. This Treasury-commissioned report strongly emphasised the need for employers to be the driving force for change in the UK’s skills agenda.

FSSC Chief Executive Teresa Sayers said: “Sarah’s role will enable us to take the work of the FSSC’s educational team into business development and into the marketplace. She will enable the FSSC to develop a range of industry solutions that equip firms as they work to attain and maintain competence – in a regulated or non-regulated environment. Sarah’s considerable experience in this field, working with the industry regulator, will be invaluable.”

Sarah was responsible for the development and implementation of the FSA's Training and Competence requirements which firms need to achieve.  In her role, Sarah has also been responsible for training the industry on the FSA's rules through workshops, conferences and distance learning materials.

Sarah joins the Financial Services Skills Council early in August.