Westminster Kingsway College has appointed business and regeneration expert Ruth Duston as its new governors’ chair.
She takes up post next month with the retirement of six-year chair David Kogan, who is principal of the Wasserman Media Group based in London’s Global Media Rights division.
Ms Duston is currently chief executive of a number of business partnerships and heads up more Business Improvement Districts than anyone else in the UK, including the Victoria BID, The Northbank and the soon-to-be-created BID in the City of London.
Through her roles she works extensively with academic and vocational institutions, and is an advocate of the role that business can play in ensuring young people secure sustainable future job opportunities.
She said: “I am looking forward to joining the excellent team at Westminster Kingsway College and helping them achieve their ambitious goals for the future. My experiences in running multiple organisations, bringing both the private and public sectors together, and delivering large scale programmes of change will, I’m sure, add value and I am keen to get to work.”
Mr Kogan’s retirement plans were announced by the college around eight months ago.
Andy Wilson, principal, said: “Westminster Kingsway is enormously grateful to Mr Kogan for the six years of leadership he has provided to bring stability to the college.”
Meanwhile, Marcus Kingwell has been unveiled managing director of the newly-formed AoC (Association of Colleges) Sport.
He joins the organisation from London Sport, where he led the creation of a new, city-wide organisation for community sports development. He brings more than 15 years of senior experience in sport, leisure, health and wellbeing.
Mr Kingwell said: “I feel privileged to be taking on the role of AoC Sport managing director at such an exciting time for college sport. There is great potential to increase participation, investment and awareness of sport in the sector, and make a real impact on students’ lives.”
Joining Mr Kingwell in leading college sport is Clare Howard, as deputy managing director. She was previously head of sport policy at the AoC.
Richard Atkins, chair of AoC Sport and president of the AoC, said: “Our vision is that every college student is encouraged, supported and has the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity as an integrated part of their college experience, contributing to learning, progression to employment and the development of active and sporting habits for life.”
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