News in Brief

Larry Hirst, general manager IBM UK and Ireland, to become chairman of e-skills UK

e-skills UK has announced that Larry Hirst, General Manager, IBM UK and Ireland, will become Chairman of e-skills UK from the 2nd February 2004.

As the Sector Skills Council for IT, Telecoms and Contact Centres, e-skills UK unites employers, educators and government on a common, employer-led agenda for skills-improvement and the resulting productivity increase in the UK. The organisation has a range of leading edge projects for driving change including Computer Clubs for Girls (CC4G) and e-skills Passports.

Larry Hirst, General Manager, IBM UK and Ireland said: ?I believe firmly in the need to improve skills in these sectors at every level for the benefit of the UK economy. My connection with e-skills UK over the years leads me to believe that this is the organisation that will be the engine for such change, and I am therefore very pleased to be able to increase my involvement.?

Karen Price, CEO, e-skills UK said: ?We are delighted that Larry has agreed to take on the role of Chairman and I know e-skills UK will benefit enormously from his contribution. His standing in our community will help us drive home much needed change as we press on with our agenda to transform the skills for IT, Telecoms and Contact Centres across the UK. I?d also like to thank Gareth Cadwallader, our previous Chairman, for the support and guidance that he has generously provided to e-skills UK over many years.?

Larry Hirst biography
Larry Hirst is the General Manager of IBM in the UK & Ireland. Prior to this position he was Vice President, Financial Services Sector, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Larry Hirst joined IBM in 1977 as a Sales Trainee in London, UK. In 1990 he became European Director of Services Industry. In this position he was responsible for IBM?s Banking, Insurance and Retail Distribution Industries. In this role he also had responsibility for the IBM laboratories in Boeblingen, Barcelona and Stoneham. In April 1992 he was appointed Executive Assistant to IBM?s Chairman in Armonk, NY, USA.

Click here for a copy of the full press release.

Posted on 29 Jan 2004