Peter will retain his post as the Chief Executive of the Education Funding Agency (EFA) with separate accountability for each agency’s budget.

Nick Boles said:

I am pleased to welcome Peter to his new post. He brings a wealth of experience in skills and in working with employers.

In his new role leading both SFA and EFA he will join up our programme of reform across the education and skills sector.

Peter Lauener said:

I am delighted to take on this role and am looking forward to the challenge of making a difference in the skills sector. I have a long-standing interest and commitment to apprenticeships and skills and I am keen to be involved in the next stage of reform.

Paul Drechsler, Chair of the SFA’s Advisory Board commented:

I am looking forward to working with Peter as we take the Skills Funding Agency onto the next stage of its development. It will be great to have someone with his commitment, experience and knowledge of the sector at the helm as we prepare for the next phase of change.