Sussex Learning and Skills Council (SLCS) has appointed three new directors to head its main departments.

The newly-established council, based in Brighton, is responsible for the planning and funding of all post-16 education and training in the county, except for higher education.

Melanie Hunt has been appointed director of strategy and standards.

She has a background in teaching and management in schools and colleges of further education and was a member of the Further Education Funding Council Inspectorate.

She said: "I was born and have lived and worked most of my life in Sussex. I look forward to ensuring that people in the county have access to high-quality, relevant education and training.

"We intend to work with a wide range of partners to achieve this aim."

David Smith is the new director of operations. His experience is in teaching and managing in further education colleges and in lecturing in management development in higher education.

He is committed to and involved in community and economic development activities in Sussex and will be responsible for the majority of the contracting arrangements between the SLSC and a wide range of providers.

He said he was looking forward to helping individuals, communities and businesses in the region, through partnerships and collaborative thinking.

Christopher Agg is the new director of corporate services. He trained as an accountant with Price Waterhouse and joined the council after 20 years in the travel and financial services industries.

He said: "Joining the SLSC at the very beginning is a tremendously exciting opportunity to not only help build their systems and procedures, but to add value to training in the county."

Henry Ball, executive director of the council, said: "These appointments mark a critical milestone in our progress. Together, we will have a major impact on post-16 learning in Sussex, bringing significant improvements for individuals and employers."