A NEW chairman has been named for the Wiltshire education, employment and skills board.

Selwood Housing Group boss Barry Hughes will chair the board — set up in 2014 to help co-ordinate groups working in education, employment and skills.

He said being chosen for the role was "a real honour and a responsibility I take very seriously".

“I’m looking forward to working with learners, educational and training providers and employers to provide the right people, with the right skills, for the right jobs, to drive economic growth in Wiltshire," he said.

Mr Hughes previously worked for Associated Newspapers as finance director for the Evening Standard and Metro.

Fleur de Rhe Philipe, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for economic development and skills, said: “I am delighted that Barry is taking this opportunity to drive forward the implementation of this new strategy, putting employers at the heart of the employment, skills and education system in Wiltshire to push growth in the county’s economy.”