City of Bristol College principal Lynn Merilion has announced her decision to resign for personal reasons.
Ms Merilion, who took the college to a grade three Ofsted rating in June last year having been in post for six months when it slumped from outstanding to inadequate in April 2013, will remain as principal until November — or until her successor is appointed.
“I have greatly enjoyed my time as principal at City of Bristol College and am proud of what we have achieved over the last three years,” she said.
“Last year, however, I had a period of ill health which made me reassess the balance I have in my life in terms of work.”
She added: “I will be at the college until a new principal is appointed after which I will be exploring new work opportunities.”
Derbyshire-based independent learning provider (ILP) Positive Outcomes has promoted its former training and development directors to joint managing directors.
Kelly Ball began working at the grade two-rated ILP in 2002, joining the senior management team in 2011, and Ryan Longmate joined Positive Outcomes in 2010 and the senior management team the following year.
Meanwhile, governors at grade one-rated Barnsley College have announced the appointment of Chris Webb, currently their deputy principal for finance and development, as the new college principal.
He is expected to take up the role from September after current principal Colin Booth OBE has left to take up his new post at Leeds City College.
Mr Webb, a former deputy principal at South Thames College and director of school at Newcastle College, said: “I am delighted and humbled to be appointed. At the heart of any successful organisation are fantastic staff and I am excited to be working with the best team at one of the best colleges in the country to shape education in the wider region.”
Mr Booth’s move to grade two-rated Leeds to become its new chief executive in light of the retirement of its current principal and chief executive Peter Roberts, was announced in March.
Mr Booth said: “I am delighted to be appointed and I am very much looking forward to starting work at Leeds City College where I will be working with an excellent group of governors and building on the great work that Peter has completed over the last six years.”
And Northamptonshire’s grade two-rated Tresham College of Further and Higher Education deputy principal and managing director Rachel Kay becomes principal of Macclesfield College, also a grade two, next month.
“Leaving Tresham College is among the hardest decisions I have ever had to make,” she said. “It is an amazing environment in which to work, and I will miss my colleagues with whom I have shared a remarkable and highly successful adventure.”
She added: “Becoming the new principal of Macclesfield College is my dream job in my home county. It was an offer that I simply could not refuse and I can’t wait to begin the latest exciting chapter of my career in the field of further and higher education.”
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