Sarah Sillars is to stand down as Semta CEO at the end of December.

Ms Sillars and her executive team are currently in the final stages of a two-year project to significantly restructure the Engineering Skills Council.

She said: “Semta has transitioned itself to provide solutions that are employer-led and co-funded with the Government. We now have the right structure and skilled personnel with the experience to confidently move forward to provide the service that employers need to build for the future in an exciting market-place.”

Semta’s chief operating officer Ann Watson will take up the post of chief executive on 1 January.