Peterborough Regional College (PRC) is on cloud nine with the appointment of Royal Air Force director of flying training Terry Jones as its new principal.
Mr Jones, who oversees the famous Red Arrows, takes over from interim principal Ioan Morgan next month.
Mr Jones also oversees three UK bases responsible for education and training, including vocational training and distance learning in his current post and will be heading to a college rated as good by Ofsted its last inspection in December 2011.
“The college made great strides under the previous leadership and I intend to carry this journey forward to make it one of the very best colleges in the UK,” he said.
He added: “I’m passionate about high standards in education and training and committed to serving our learners, the wider community and businesses in Peterborough and beyond.”
College corporation board chair Andrew Stafford said: “Terry was the unanimous choice of the board to become the new principal and we’re delighted he accepted the role.”
And former Learning and Skills Improvement Service trustee Ayub Khan is taking over from Mark Ravenhall as chief executive of the Further Education Trust for Leadership (Fetl) on an interim basis from today (June 15).
Mr Khan, previously a Fetl trustee, said: “Fetl has a clear focus to help lead thinking in the FE and skills sector and has made good progress with its grants and fellowship programme.
“We know it’s a challenging time in the sector but there is opportunity. The body of knowledge we are building will help forge new ways of working.
“There is much to do to and I look forward to supporting Fetl in the next phase of its development.”
Jill Westerman, Fetl chair, said: “Ayub will oversee the strategic and operational elements of Fetl, strengthen resources and help ensure a smooth transition, building on the work that has already been achieved.”
Meanwhile, Midkent’s acting principal Simon Cook has been given the post on a permanent basis.
Mr Cook, a former apprentice, had stepped up from vice principal in July last year following the death of principal Sue Mcleod.
Mr Cook said: “I have such great hopes and ambitions for our students, I know from personal experience how much we can change people’s lives as I would not be here without a college like ours.
“I want to make sure all our students have the same life-changing opportunities I did.”
Governors’ chair Sheila Potipher told staff at the college, which slipped down a Ofsted grade last month from good to ‘requires improvement,’ that the board had unanimously confirmed Mr Cook’s appointment in May.
“Simon joined MidKent from Cornwall College in 2013 as the vice principal since which time he has worked tirelessly to steer us all through some of the most challenging times we have experienced to date,” she said.
“His skills, experience and enthusiasm for FE are evident to us all and I am thrilled that he is going to continue the positive work already underway.”
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