Richard Beamish to the Chief Executive of Asset Skills, the sector skills council for facilities managements, housing, property, planning, cleaning and parking – industries that affect the lives of most people in the UK.

Under his leadership, Asset Skills has equipped 1638 women cleaners with managerial skills, launched Scotland’s first online diploma in housing and helped scores of adults across the UK who struggle to read and write.

Before taking the helm at Asset Skills, Richard was the Director of the National Council for the training of Journalists and Chief Executive of the Print Education Forum. He spent more than 13 years working for the Newspaper Society which produced occupational standards for journalists and established Newspapers in Education which promoted local and regional newspapers as educational resources. His job before print was as a school teacher.

With his wealth of experience in the field of learning, Richard is well equipped to promote training amongst employers and ensure new standards for vocational qualifications meet their needs.