From a DfEE press release:
Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett today announced that Tim Melville-Ross is to be the new Chairman of Investors in People UK. He will take up his appointment on 1 October 1999.
Mr Melville-Ross has demonstrated his commitment to the Investors in People (IiP) Standard by leading two major organisations to gain recognition. First as Chief Executive of the Nationwide Building Society, an organisation with some 13,000 people; and more recently as Director General of the Institute of Directors where he has just completed a five year term.
David Blunkett said:
" I am very pleased to announce this new appointment. I firmly believe that Tim Melville-Ross is ideally placed to take forward Investors in People UK and the Standard into 2000 and beyond. Since the IiP Standard was launched in October 1991 around 15,000 organisations have been recognised with a further 21,000 currently working towards it.
" And to help encourage more small firms to reach the Standard, Individual Learning Accounts will offer individuals the means to manage, plan and invest in their own learning and training. This year Training and Enterprise Councils which deliver the accounts, are targeting employees in firms with under 50 people. Additionally, the UfI -the University for Industry - will bring new, cost-effective, high quality education and training opportunities to staff in small firms.
"It is initiatives like these, commitments to invest in education and training, which will smooth the path for more small businesses to strive for IiP status."
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Melville -Ross said:
" I am delighted to take up the challenge of chairing Investors in People UK and hope that I will be able to build on the enormous success it has already achieved under the chairmanship of Sir Brian Wolfson and his excellent team. I have a strong commitment to the Investors in People Standard, having led both of the organisations of which I have been Chief Executive to successful recognition.
" The Government has set challenging targets for Investors In People. With the commitment I have already seen demonstrated by those involved with the Standard, I have every confidence that working together we can meet those targets."
