Your weekly guide to who’s new and who’s leaving
The educationalist Dame Asha Khemka DBE has been made deputy lieutenant of Staffordshire.
Ms Khemka, who is principal and chief executive of West Nottinghamshire College, was appointed by Her Majesty’s lord-lieutenant of Staffordshire, Ian Dudson CBE KStJ at a ceremony last week.
The title is awarded to people who have served their local community or have a history of public service in other fields.
In the role, she will support the lord-lieutenant with his ceremonial duties throughout the year, including representing him at civic and voluntary events.
In 2009, Ms Khemka was recognised for her services to further education with an OBE in the new year’s honours list, and received a damehood in the 2014 honours list, making her the first woman of Indian origin in 83 years to receive the title.
She also received the accolade of ‘Woman of the Year’ in 2014, from then prime minister, David Cameron.
Of her newest title, she said: “As a long-standing resident, I am proud and humbled to be asked to represent the Staffordshire lieutenancy and serve the place where I have lived for almost 20 years.
It is a huge honour to be appointed as a deputy lieutenant of the county that I love so much.”
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Denise Brown is to be the next principal and chief executive of Stoke-on-Trent College.
She takes up the role from her current position as vice-principal of South Essex College, where she was responsible for updating the college’s courses to suit the needs of students.
Ms Brown began her further education career in 1988 as a lecturer and policy advisor at London’s Newham College, becoming principal in 2010. She stepped down in 2014, moving to her current position as vice-principal at South Essex College.
She said “I am really looking forward to working with the very able and dedicated staff at the college and getting to know Stoke-on-Trent better.
“The city reminds me very much of my home town of Oldham – a place of rich industrial heritage surrounded by beautiful countryside populated by warm, friendly people.”
Neil Bromley, the college’s chair of governors, said “Denise was chosen, following a rigorous selection process, because of her wealth of experience, her expertise, authority and passion for education. She was exactly the kind of person we were looking for.”
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Alex Scott is the new principal of Itchen College in Hampshire.
He joins the college from Brockenhurst College, where he was vice-principal for ten years, before which he had been deputy principal at Barton Peveril College, having joined first as a teacher and worked his way up through the ranks.
“I am excited to be joining the college, returning to the area of Southampton where I spent my childhood,” said Mr Scott. “I have waited for the position of principal at Itchen Sixth Form College to become available for a number of years.”
He will replace interim principal Vanessa Cass, who returns to her previous post as deputy principal.
If you want to let us know of any new faces at the top of your college, training provider or awarding organisation please let us know by emailing news@feweek.co.uk
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