Whitehall mandarin Peter Lauener is taking over from James Wates as the next chairman of the Construction Industry Training Board – but will begin his new job while still working as the interim boss of the Student Loans Company.

Lauener (pictured) only joined the Student Loans Company back in November last year, after he was parachuted in to take over from Steve Lamey who was sacked from the £200,000-a-year role earlier that month following an investigation into his conduct.

The CITB said he will “initially” combine both roles – a move which will worry some as the training group reaches a critical time in its future.