Skillsmart Retail, the Sector Skills Council for Retail, is appointing Martin Beaumont as its new chair.

Beaumont recently stepped down as CEO of the Co-operative Group, a post he held for five years, previous to that he was Chief Executive of United Co-operatives.

A Cambridge graduate, Beaumont was also a former partner at KPMG, where he specialised in management consultancy.

Meanwhile Justin King, CEO of Sainsbury's, has been appointed a Skillsmart patron alongside other retail industry leaders. King was director of food at Marks & Spencer and worked for ASDA/ WalMart and Haagen Dazs.

Anne Seaman, chief operating officer of Skillsmart Retail, said: “We are pleased that Justin and Martin, two leading figures in retail, are working with us to underline the importance of skills to business success.”