Barnfield College has announced that its new principal will be Tim Eyton-Jones.
He is currently the principal of John Ruskin College, but is due to leave in March.
Mr Eyton-Jones leaves the sixth form college, in South Croydon, having joined in 2009 — the year before it was rated as inadequate by Ofsted. It was revisited by inspectors last year, who gave it an outstanding grade.
He said: “I am very sad to be leaving John Ruskin College as it is a truly outstanding organisation. I will miss the energy and professionalism of the staff and students and I want to wish them all success for the future. I would also like to thank everyone for the support I have had while in post.”
A college spokesperson said: “The corporation would like to thank Mr Eyton-Jones for his hard work, commitment and inspirational leadership over the last five years.”
Monica Box, Barnfield College interim principal, will remain in post until Mr Eyton-Jones joins. She has previously led City College Manchester, South Kent College and more recently Kensington and Chelsea College, each in the capacity of interim principal.
She replaced previous interim principal Dame Jackie Fisher at the end of October. Dame Jackie’s interim position was initially for six months, but at the request of the board she agreed to stay on for a further three months.
Governors’ board chair Robin Somerville said: “I’m confident that under Mr Eyton-Jones’s leadership Barnfield College will go from strength to strength, and he will finish the much needed transformation of the college started by Dame Jackie and continued by Ms Box in their interim capacities.”
The recruitment process to replace Mr Eyton-Jones at John Ruskin is under way.
Meanwhile, the 157 Group has elected Sarah Robinson OBE, principal of Stoke-on-Trent College, to serve as chair for the next 12 months.
She takes over from Peter Roberts, chief executive of Leeds City College, who has been chair since November 2012.
Ms Robinson said “I am delighted to be taking on the role of chair at an immensely important time for FE.
“As next year’s general election approaches, the 157 Group’s role in influencing policy will be vital to securing the best possible education and skills system for learners and employers.”
She said she was “proud” of the 157 Group’s work.
Ms Robinson added: “I pay tribute to Peter Roberts, who has led the 157 Group so expertly for the last two years, and to my fellow members of the 157 Group, for their continued commitment to our work.”
Dr Lynne Sedgmore CBE, executive director of the 157 Group, said, “Enhancing the lives of learners and improving the experience of employers is central to everything that colleges do — and Stoke-on-Trent College is an excellent example of that.
“I am therefore delighted that Sarah Robinson will be our chair for the coming year, and I look forward to working with her for the benefit of our education and skills system.”
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