It will be all change at the top for Leeds City College this year with the retirement of principal Peter Roberts and a new governors’ chair already in post from Wednesday (October 1).
Mr Roberts, a father-of-two and chair of the 157 Group, revealed to college staff his intention to call it a day late last month.
He said: “I turn 60 over the course of this academic year and have decided to retire
next summer.
“To cut a long story short, I have worked in the education sector for some 37 years, and been in FE since 1983.
“I have somehow managed to be in senior management for over 20 years and have been a principal/chief executive since 2002. It is simply ‘my time’.”
He said that no timescale had been set for his replacement to be in post, but that interviews were expected to take place after Christmas with a successor in post near
the end of the current academic year —
when he retires.
Neil McLean, who has been chair of the college board since 2009, has stepped down, but continues as a board member until
the expiry of his term of office in April
next year.
Dr Shaid Mahmood (former vice chair) became the new chair of Leeds City College from the start of this month.
“I am sure that this will be an excellent appointment although Neil will be a very hard act to follow and has been superb as chair,” said Mr Roberts, who started in FE as a lecturer in leisure and recreation at Sheffield’s Stannington College.
Mr Roberts has also worked at Selby College and in 1992 became vice-principal of Rotherham Sixth Form College and later York College. In 1997 he moved as principal to Stockport College before moving, as principal, to Leeds City College in 2009.
“Mr Roberts has led Leeds City College through a period of rapid change and development in the past five years, doing so with tremendous energy and dedication and establishing it as one of the largest and successful FE groups in the country,” said Dr Mahmood
“His retirement after some 37 years — many of them in leadership roles — is thoroughly well deserved. His successor will have a fantastic opportunity to further shape and lead an exciting, vibrant and forward looking college.”
Mr Roberts will step down as 157 Group chair in November, having served in the
post for two years, with the election of a
new chair.
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