23. David Cragg, Learning & Skills Council

As the first regional director of the West Midlands Learning and Skills Council, David Cragg leads a pioneering and far-reaching strategy to plan and fund all post-16 learning in the region.

Mr Cragg became regional director in January 2004, having been the first executive director of Birmingham and Solihull LSC since the organisation's launch nationally in 2001.

The move put him in charge of one of nine such regional divisions. He has been at the forefront in helping to develop a steady stream of new state-of-the-art college buildings in the area, such as Matthew Boulton College in the city centre.

The LSC was also heavily involved in establishing the Rover Taskforce within days of the collapse of MG Rover's Longbridge plant.

Prior to the inception of the LSC, Mr Cragg was the first chief executive of Birmingham and Solihull Training and Enterprise Council.

In 1997, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Central England in recognition of his services to higher education and industry.

At the beginning of 2008, he was awarded the OBE in recognition of his services to education and training. In June this year, Mr Cragg formally took on the national lead in the development of the new Skills Funding Agency, with key responsibility for creating more integrated employment and skills systems.

His interests include listening to classical music, walking and supporting Aston Villa FC.