Former Barclays chief executive Antony Jenkins has been appointed shadow chair of the Institute for Apprenticeships.

Mr Jenkins (pictured) will help to design the organisation’s structure and will work closely with the current team in preparing it to start operations in 2017.

The Institute for Apprenticeships’ primary responsibility will be to act as the ultimate decision-maker on approving apprenticeship standards and assessment plans to ensure they are of high quality.

Mr Jenkins is currently the chairman of Business in the Community, a charity that helps businesses to tackle a wide range of issues affecting their communities.

Employers in control

Skills minister Nick Boles said: “Antony brings more than three decades of experience from the heart of business to the role and will help shape the Institute for Apprenticeships so it meets the needs of employers. We’re putting employers in control when it comes to apprenticeships because it’s employers who know the skills, training and experience their future workforce needs to succeed.”

Mr Jenkins said: “Apprenticeships are something I care passionately about. I am delighted to be taking on this role and working closely with different sectors that will be important in helping to create opportunities for millions of our citizens and providing great talent for business.”

FE SPECIAL OFFER: click here to try out a TES Further Education subscription for just £1 for four weeks.

Want to keep up with the latest education news and opinion? Follow TES FE News on Twitter, like us on Facebook and follow us on LinkedIn

Photo credit: Chatham House