The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) has appointed four new commissioners.

Gail Cartmail, assistant general secretary for Unite the Union, Scott Johnson, chief executive of Chas Smith Shopfitters Ltd, Toby Peyton-Jones, HR director at Siemens UK & North West Europe and Neil Mclean, chair of the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership have been appointed on a three year term.

They will join the 23 existing commissioners led by Charlie Mayfield, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership.

“I am extremely pleased to welcome four Commissioners of such high calibre,” Mr Mayfield said.

“They join the Commission at an exciting time, as we seek to ensure that skills development is really embedded within industrial policy to help boost jobs and growth.

“Gail, Scott, Neil and Toby join our other new Commissioners, Paul McKelvie and Scott Waddington, who were appointed by the Scottish and Welsh government respectively, and joined us last month.”

The appointments were announced by business secretary Vince Cable earlier today.

“Building a skilled workforce is a key part of our efforts to stimulate economic recovery and growth,” Mr Cable said.

“I am therefore delighted to announce these appointments, the diverse backgrounds and viewpoints represented by the new Commissioners will strengthen the Commission’s capacity to deliver skills for growth across all sectors.”