The former chief executive of now defunct regional development agency Advantage West Midlands has taken up a new position north of the border. Mick Laverty will take up his new role as head of Glasgow-based The Student Loans Company in January.
Mr Laverty will join SLC in December in succession to Ed Lester before formally taking over the hot seat in the New Year. Mr Laverty said: “I am excited and proud to be appointed as SLC’s Chief Executive as they invest in a major programme of change and modernisation. I have a strong commitment to customer service and I know the SLC plans to put customers at the very heart of their service modernisation. ”
“I have worked closely with a number of Universities and further education colleges and know the difference they can make to their local economies and communities as well as their students’ futures. I am therefore delighted to be working in the education sector as the SLC seeks to improve the services it provides for them and their students.”
Mr Laverty, who has a long career in leading customer facing organisations in local government and other public bodies, is remaining a director of the Birmingham Hippodrome.
Ed Smith, Chairman of the Student Loans Company, said: “I am delighted we have appointed Mick Laverty as our Chief Executive. He has a significant track record in delivering high performing public services. “
We are committed to improving the services we provide and modernising our delivery systems and business model. Mick’s skills and experience will be invaluable in leading the organisation as we develop and expand the services we provide to students and the higher education sector.”
Universities and Science Minister David Willetts was another to wish Mr Laverty well in his new role. ”Mick Laverty has enormous experience of delivering public services and will build upon Ed Lester’s good work. He will ensure that the Student Loans Company goes on improving its service to students and universities,” he said.