The Learning and Skills Council's chief executive Mark Haysom has stepped down with immediate effect, following difficulties faced by his further education college rebuilding programme.
Former Audit Commission chief executive Sir Andrew Foster is preparing a report on the LSC's college capital programme.

Mark Haysom, in his resignation statement, said: 'I don’t need to wait for that report to be published before making my decision because it will, I’m sure, confirm what I now know – that there have been failures in the way that the LSC has managed the programme'.

'No matter where those mistakes have been made and no matter how many people have been involved in the capital programme, as the chief executive of the LSC I am, of course, finally accountable. That is why I have made my decision to step down at this time'.

Haysom has been in the job for five and a half years. By resigning now, Haysom has foregone any extra payment, estimated to be £250,000, which he would have been entitled when the LSC is dissolved in 2010. Haysom will not receive a bonus for performance in the year to March 2009, which could be as much as £46,763.

Former KPMG man Geoff Russell, has been appointed to take over as the LSC's acting chief executive. Geoffrey Russell said: 'My first priority will be to urgently increase the certainty and clarity around the capital funding programme but also to continue the smooth running of the LSC during this period'.