Charlie Mayfield, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, has been appointed to lead and reform the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES), business secretary Vince Cable has announced.

UKCES is the non-departmental public body tasked with helping to improve employment and skills provision across the UK.

The move follows the Cabinet Office’s recent report on Public Bodies and the ongoing review of the UK Commission led by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The review, while acknowledging that the independence of UKCES makes it a valuable source of expert advice to government, recommends it should be slimmed down and refocused.

Charlie Mayfield succeeds Sir Mike Rake, chairman of BT, with immediate effect. Rake has chaired the UKCES since its inception in 2008.