THE man who has led skills training in Herefordshire for the past four years is to step down.

Alan Curless, aged 58, from Ross-on-Wye, will retire as executive director of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Learning and Skills Council early next year.

He became chief executive of the former Hereford and Worcester Training and Enterprise Council in 1990 and became boss of the Learning and Skills Council when it was set up in 2001, having been given an OBE three years earlier in recognition of his services to training, commerce and enterprise.

"I'm fortunate to have enjoyed the whole of my career and am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to have held so many interesting and exciting positions," he said.

"But after 40 years in public service, I feel it's time for me to develop some more personal challenges and finally have the opportunity to lower my golf handicap!"

The Herefordshire and Worcestershire Learning and Skills Council was rated in the top 10 per cent of LSEs by the Government last year and secured a Grade one for its audit and internal control procedures.

Mr Curless also led the steering group which led to the establishment of the Malvern Hills Science Park.