Acas, the Advisory, Consiliation and Arbitration Service, has appointed its first full-time Chief Executive.

John Taylor, who is currently Cheif Executive of the Training and Enterprise Council for South-East Wales, returns to Acas after many years at the end of March. He replaces Rita Donaghy, who has been part-time Chair since October last year following the retirement of former Chair John Hougham in April 2000.

Speaking about his appointment, John Taylor said: ‘With the nature of the workplace changing so radically, this is an
exciting time to rejoin Acas – a very different organisation from the one I knew in the 1970s. Factors such as the increase in individual rights, the effects of competition in the marketplace and the need for flexibility in the labour market mean that Acas has never had a more vital role in giving guidance to both employers and employees. Acas is now the first stop for preventing and solving workplace problems, not just the last resort. I am looking forward to building on Acas’s excellent reputation as the independent experts in employment relations and to shaping its services so it can meet the challenges of the future.’

Welcoming the appointment Rita Donaghy, Chair of Acas, said:

“I am delighted that John Taylor has agreed to join us as Acas’s first Chief Executive. Acas is about people and for people so John’s wealth of experience in balancing the need for a skilled workforce in today’s competitive environment with the need to promote opportunities for individuals to develop in the workplace will be invaluable. Acas faces many new and changing demands in the modern employment environment and John will play a central part in ensuring
we fulfil them.”