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Damien
Yeates Appointed as The Chief Executive of The Scottish University For
Industry.
The Scottish University for Industry known to the
public as learndirect Scotland, was established by
Scottish Ministers and launched its
services in October 2000.
 Deputy
Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Allan Wilson, today announced
the appointment of Damien Yeates to succeed Frank Pignatelli CBE as the
chief executive of the Scottish University for Industry.
The Scottish University for Industry (SUfI), known to the public as
learndirect Scotland, was established by Scottish Ministers and launched its
services in October 2000.
Damien Yeates is at present the chief executive of the Govan Initiative, a
local economic development company responsible for regenerating the economy
of the Greater Govan area of Glasgow, focusing on employability, education
and training and support for the social economy of the area.
Among the many ground-breaking initiatives developed by the Govan Initiative
over recent years has been the creation of the Hills Trust Academy, the
first Cisco Community Networking Academy in Europe. As one of only eight
centres in the UK to achieve Microsoft Regional Academy status it offers the
Microsoft official curriculum alongside curriculum offerings within the
Cisco Networking Academy programme.
Deputy Minister Allan Wilson said:
“I am delighted that Damien has accepted the post of chief executive of the
Scottish University for Industry. His experience of social and economic
regeneration and his impressive track record in tackling social exclusion
and promoting skills and employability through technology, will be
invaluable as SUfI moves to its next stage of development. I congratulate
him and wish him well in what is an important and exciting position.”
Welcoming the appointment, Billy Allan, chairman of SUfI added:
“Damien’s extensive relationships and experience with the business community
nationally and internationally combined with his strong commitment to, and
success in, tackling social and economic exclusion give the board great
confidence that he will maintain and develop SUfI’s strong reputation”
NOTES:
1. Damien Yeates has been involved in economic development, regeneration and
lifelong learning for the past fourteen years; has held marketing positions
in Scandinavia and Germany; and worked in a pioneering high-tech design team
in his native Ireland developing an innovative micro-hydro turbine.
2. Over the past decade, in partnership with key agencies and individuals,
he has initiated a number of highly innovative and successful programmes to
promote skills and lifelong learning, including the establishment of the
Digital Media Academy, the Community Technology Academy Network and the
Blended Learning of Construction Skills (BLOCS) programme.
3. Damien is a director of the Centre for Confidence Building and
Well-being, a director of the Scottish Urban Regeneration Forum and a
director of Realizations International Ltd. He holds a Bachelor of Business
Studies degree from Dublin City University and a Master of Business
Administration from the University of Strathclyde.
4. The core mission of the Scottish University for Industry is to support
and encourage the development of a more competitive economy and a more
inclusive society through education and training.
5. SUfI is an Executive NDPB with private limited company status.
Contact either Kathleen Travers at learndirect Scotland on 0141 285 6174 or
Stuart Lewis: 0131 244 2682 for further info.
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