He begins his new role as chief executive of AssetSkills, a Sector Skills Council for the property and facilities management sector, today (1 April).

Beamish went out on a high his last event was the successful launch of the Big Books for schools at the DTI last week. The series of five books, which link into the National Curriculum, is designed to promote the industry at primary schools level.

An announcement on Beamish's PEF replacement is expected within the next week.