Marc Bolland, the former chief executive of Marks & Spencer, has been appointed as a government jobs adviser to address the growing youth unemployment crisis in the UK. Bolland, who led the retail chain from 2010 to 2016, will chair a summit of business leaders as part of his role.
About one million people aged 16 to 24, or one in eight, are currently not in education, employment or training (Neets). An interim report by former health secretary Alan Milburn warned this figure could rise to 1.25 million by the 2030s without radical action.
Bolland, who also previously led Morrisons, will serve as lead non-executive director at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). He was chosen due to his involvement with the charity Movement to Work, which has already helped over 200,000 unemployed young people find jobs.
The government said Bolland will work with leading chief executives across sectors to create clear routes into work and tackle youth unemployment. He will also advise Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden on responding to Milburn's findings. A key part of his role will involve collaborating with charities to support disabled young people in accessing training and employment.
Bolland said he was 'honoured and passionate' about working with the government, adding: 'I know that working hand in hand with business to support young people gives them the best possible chance of success.' The proportion of Neets in the UK is significantly higher than in many other developed countries, with about 12.5% in Britain compared to 5% in the Netherlands.
