Dame Moira Gibb appointed Chair of skills organisations

Following the recent merger between Skills for Care and the National Skills Academy for Social Care (the Skills Academy), a competitive process to select a new Chair from November has been completed.

The Chair Designate, Dame Moira Gibb, will succeed Professor David Croisdale Appleby, who will have served the maximum two three-year terms as Chair of Skills for Care in November 2014. This follows the news that Professor Croisdale- Appleby has been appointed by the Rt Hon Norman Lamb MP, Minister of State for Care and Support, as Chair of the Standing Commission on Carers.

Dame Moira is a Non-Executive Director at NHS England, the UK Statistics Authority, Chair of City Lit Adult Education College, member of the Council of Reading University and previously Chief Executive with Camden Council during which time she also chaired firstly the Social Work Taskforce and then the Social Work Reform Board.

Dame Moira said: “I am delighted to take up this important role at a vital time for social care. We need a 21st Century, integrated social care and health service that will meet the needs and aspirations of our society.  We can only do so through a workforce that is confident, committed and capable – in other words, up to the job. Skills for Care and the Skills Academy have a crucial role to play in ensuring we have the leadership, learning and development to support everyone working with those who need care and support, at a time of continuing, substantial reform.

“I’d like to pay tribute to Professor David Croisdale-Appleby, Independent Chair of Skills for Care, for his vision and energy over the last six years. Under his leadership, Skills for Care’s reputation has grown hugely. The recent, successful merger with the Skills Academy is a significantly important achievement, as it gives 17,000 adult social care employers a single body to access support to develop the skills and knowledge of their workers from day one of induction through to senior management roles. I also offer my warm congratulations to David on his recent appointment as Chair of the Standing Commission on Carers.”

Chair of Skills for Care, Professor Croisdale-Appleby said: “I am delighted that such a strong appointment as my successor has been made at this pivotal time for adult social care, and have offered my congratulations to Moira.  It is a great testament to the reputation and achievements of Skills for Care that someone of such distinction and with such appropriate skills and experience has been appointed to lead forward the merged organisation.  This is great news for Skills for Care and the Skills Academy and for our sector as a whole.”

Chief Executive Sharon Allen said: “It has been a great privilege and pleasure to work with David since my appointment as CEO. He has worked tirelessly to ensure those who most need care and support, have a voice at the highest levels of our social care and health services, and amongst opinion formers and policy makers. I wish David every success when he steps down later this year and offer my congratulations on his appointment as the Chair of the Standing Commission on Carers to which role I know he will bring the same energy and expertise. The sector will continue to have a wonderful ambassador in David.

“In Moira we have found a fantastically capable and committed new Chair, someone who will be able to help shape our work to meet the opportunities ahead.  Moira has a deep understanding of the social care, health and education sectors and the experience to be able to provide wise counsel to our new Board. I look forward to working with her in the years ahead.”

Glen Mason, Director of People Communities and Local Government at the Department of Health, said: “This appointment is central in consolidating the recent merger of Skills for Care and the Skills Academy, as it will help build on the achievements of both organisations On behalf of DH I pay huge tribute to David for all that he has achieved whilst leading Skills for Care with Sharon, his skill and drive have ensured Skills for Care has consistently delivered what employers and our whole sector need. Moira is a formidable talent who will ensure our current and future social care workforce truly delivers on behalf of people who need care and support. Together with Sharon Allen, adult social care leadership, learning and development are in safe hands.”