People 1st CEO moves on

After ten years with People 1st, Brian Wisdom has announced his intention to move on from his position as CEO in the latter half of 2014. He will remain as an ambassador for the passenger transport and tourism skills and workforce development charity, providing continuity and an extended handover period for the organisation. Having led the organisation since its inception, he is now to pursue other non-executive opportunities. Chief Operating Officer, Simon Tarr, will be appointed as interim MD while the board considers the organisation’s long term strategy.

Brian said, ‘The past ten years have seen huge changes in the skills landscape and I am extremely proud of everything the People 1st team has achieved. It now seems like the right time to move on and let the business look at what it wants to achieve in the next ten years. We’ve vastly increased the number of apprenticeships within the sector, with more than 60,000 apprentices gaining qualifications in 2012/2013, and have worked with employers and providers to help increase the links between them. We have made great strides towards diversity through Women 1st and we’ve also helped the UK enter the top ten destinations worldwide for the warmth of its visitor welcome for the first time. With such great achievements and the success we’ve had with improving the image and professionalism of our industries, it’s the right time to move on.’