Listen to this story Members can listen to an AI-generated audio version of this article. 1.0x Audio narration uses an AI-generated voice. 0:00 0:00 Become a member to listen to this article Subscribe David Bell has resigned as vice chair of Skills England, citing the demands of his other commitments in higher education. Bell had juggled his national role at the government agency for the last 18 months alongside his day job as vice chancellor and chief executive of the University of Sunderland. He was appointed in February last year to lead the newly established Skills England, alongside chair Phil Smith and joint chief executives Tessa Griffiths and Sarah Maclean. The Department for Work and Pensions said it had no plans to recruit a replacement vice chair and an existing board member would deputise for Smith as needed. Bell, a former Department for Education permanent secretary and Ofsted chief inspector, said he maintained a “keen interest” in the skills system but took the decision to stand down “due to the demands of my other commitments”. Earlier this year, he was also tasked with leading an independent review on antisemitism in colleges. His report detailing recommendations is due to be published this autumn. “It has been a great pleasure to be part of Skills England’s informed, energetic and enthusiastic board,” Bell said. “I’m proud that Skills England has already made an important contribution to bringing about the kind of coherence and responsiveness necessary if we’re to make sure our country has the skilled workforce it needs, both now and in the future.” Smith said: “I want to thank David for his outstanding contribution to the board and wish him all the very best for the future. We appreciate the time and considerable effort he has dedicated to the role of vice chair, alongside his many other commitments. “His insight and considered judgment have been invaluable in guiding Skills England, as we launched and have worked towards bringing more cohesion, momentum and pace to a system that had become too complex.” Skills England was set up as an executive agency of the Department for Education, tasked with coordinating cross-government strategies on the country’s skills needs. Bell, who received between £20,000 and £25,000 a year from the agency, had stressed its role was to provide an “evidence base” for England’s skills requirements but it was up to ministers to decide on spending and resources. Following the machinery of government change last September, Skills England became part of the Department for Work and Pensions.