Greene King boss to take the reins at education charity

By Nikkie Sutton

- Last updated on GMT

New position: Rooney Anand is taking up the post next year
New position: Rooney Anand is taking up the post next year
Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand will be joining education and skills charity WorldSkills UK after he leaves the pubco next year.

It was announced that Anand, who has led the Suffolk-based brewer and operator for 14 years where he was managing director of Greene King Brewing Company before succeeding Tim Bridge as chief executive in 2004 after joining the Greene King board in 2001, would be stepping down from his role​ earlier this month (November).

On Anand joining the charity, WorldSkills UK outgoing chair Carole Stott said: “We are delighted to welcome Anand to the business at such an exciting time in the company’s development.

“Last year saw the launch of our new five-year strategy, focused on a review of our governance as well as assessing our impact as an organisation and the market conditions we face going forward to diversify our offer.”

Experienced leader

She added: “Anand is an experienced leader, who has worked at the highest levels of business across the UK. He is passionate about the future for young people and supporting local communities and has developed a highly successful apprenticeship programme within Greene King that focuses on opportunity for all.

“I am sure his corporate experience will bring a new energy and business focus that will help the executive team to drive the organisation on to further success, helping more young people to build successful careers and making a positive contribution to the UK’s productivity challenges.”

WordSkills UK CEO Neil Bentley praised the outgoing chair’s service and welcomed Anand into the fold.

He said: “Stott has done an amazing job as chair over the past six years and I would like to thank her for her dedication and support as the organisation has evolved.

“Anand has a fantastic background and breadth of business experience and has built a reputation for excellence and quality. I am looking forward to working together.”

Best start

The Greene King chief executive will take up the new post in January 2019 and he welcomed the new opportunity to help people into work.

He added: “I am very much looking forward to building on the great foundations already established by Stott, Bentley and the team at WorldSkills UK to help inspire more young people right across the UK to get off to the best possible start in work and life, and demonstrating to business the value of investing in the next generation of high flyers.

“Boosting the involvement of businesses and governments in the organisation’s work is key to helping raise the bar on skills and improve the UK’s long-term competitiveness.

“I am certain that with the highly capable and enthusiastic team already in place, WorldSkills UK will go from strength to strength.”

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