Seevic College has appointed Dan Pearson as its principal after Nick Spenceley announced his retirement in February, following a battle against cancer.
Mr Pearson joins the provider in Essex from Redbridge College, where he was deputy principal for three years.
He said he was “honoured” to be in a position to “add value” to Seevic College’s “strengths, and lead on curriculum innovations and improvements, to ensure we offer unique and high-quality learning experiences for our students”.
He added: “Despite the inevitable challenges principals face during this time of area reviews, I feel reassured the spirit and passion of the college staff will give me support and keep me energised.”
Mr Pearson said he was looking forward to bringing some new ideas to the campus.
He said: “I want to make sure students are leaving college with the skills employers want. We will work very closely with local and national employers to give our students every possible opportunity to succeed in securing employment.”
Laurel Penrose will be the new principal at Bath College from August.
She takes over from Matt Atkinson who has decided to leave to set up a business offering leadership support to education providers after leading the college since 2007.
Ms Penrose is currently the deputy principal at North Warwickshire & Hinckley College (NWHC) and South Leicestershire College (SLC). Before this, she was vice principal for curriculum and quality across the partnership.
Of her new appointment, Ms Penrose said: “I have already experienced the warmth of the college’s welcome and been delighted to hear the positive views of students concerning the support and delivery given by staff.
“It was a pleasure to walk around the college and experience the confidence and enthusiasm of colleagues. I am really looking forward to working with staff to further progress the college and build on current good practices.”
Carole Stott, chair of the board of governors at Bath College, said she was looking forward to Ms Penrose joining and “working with the staff and the board to build on the excellent work of Matt Atkinson”.
Meanwhile a the new Nottingham College, made up of a merger between New Nottingham College and Central College Nottingham, has appointed businessman John van de Laarschot as its chief executive.
Mr van de Laarschot has worked in both the private and public sectors in his 35-year career, at Coca-Cola, Mars, PepsiCo, Torridge Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Carole Thorogood, chair of the designate board at the new merged college, said: “John brings extensive private and public sector experience in leadership and managing change, qualities we required in candidates for this important role.
“Once the necessary contractual arrangements are in place, John will assist us with transition planning towards the launch of Nottingham College later this year.”
And Ofqual has announced Julie Swan as its new executive director for general qualifications.
She will take up the position permanently after a spell as the acting executive director when her predecessor, Ian Stockford, left the exams regulator to join AQA in December.
Ms Swan has worked for Ofqual for seven years and was most recently associate director for regulatory policy.
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