Estelle Morris and Huw Edwards become Skillset Patrons

Baroness Morris of Yardley and BBC News reader Huw Edwards have joined Skillset’s board of patrons.
Former Minister for the Arts and Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Morris, who was made a life peer in May 2005, has been named President of the board of patrons which includes Lord Puttnam CBE, Dawn Airey, Lord Alli, Peter Bazalgette, Lord Bragg, Greg Dyke, Michael Grade C.B.E., Michael Kuhn, Roger Laughton CBE, Denise O’Donoghue OBE, Trevor Phillips, Mark Thompson, and Parminder Vir OBE.
Skillset, the Sector Skills Council, works with the audio visual industries to ensure they have the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time in order to maintain and enhance their competitiveness and productivity.
Baroness Morris of Yardley, said: “I have long been an admirer and strong supporter of the work Skillset does so I am delighted about joining them as President of Patrons. When Government launched the Sector Skills Council network Skillset was a trailblazer and has become a model of excellence in terms of the sector approach to tackling education and skills development issues. It’s a great pleasure for me to be working with them.”
Huw Edwards, said: "Developing the skills and talent of people working in our industry is an important issue which I am very passionate about. By making sure our workforce can access the best education and skills – technically; editorially; and creatively – we help progress and, ultimately, grow our industry. I’m very pleased to be joining such an illustrious band of industry figures as a Skillset patron, and doing my part to help them help the industry.”
Lord Puttnam of Queensgate, said: “I am delighted that Estelle and Huw have become fellow patrons. As the new President of patrons Estelle’s passion, energy and vision will be absolutely invaluable in helping Skillset to achieve its objectives. By continuing to serve as a Patron I look forward to being able to support Estelle in her new role.”
Dinah Caine, Chief Executive of Skillset, said: “We are thrilled to have Estelle and Huw as Patrons. Huw is an experienced broadcaster whose knowledge and expertise is greatly welcomed and Estelle, having worked for both the Department of Culture Media and Sport and the Department of Education and Skills, has a deep understanding of and commitment to the work Skillset does across the audio visual industries. Her input and support has always been invaluable and we look forward to her taking a greater role in the future as our President of Patrons.”
(GB)