Bosses at Lincolnshire’s New College Stamford will be hoping for a period of stability after appointing their fourth principal in just over year.
Janet Meenaghan has taken the helm, replacing interim principal John Allen. It comes after Mr Allen’s predecessor, April Carrol, was initially put on extended leave in March having been hit with two votes of no confidence from staff.
She in turn had been appointed in July last year following the retirement of Andrew Patience.
However, Ms Meenaghan was upbeat about the college prospects.
“I have only been here a few weeks, but I’m already very proud of what I have seen, both with regards the students and the staff,” she said.
“We have exceeded our enrolment figures this year and are financially very sound. I think the future of New College Stamford is very bright.”
Ms Meenaghan was formerly deputy principal of Selby College, and prior to that held various roles at FE colleges in Manchester, Peterborough and Grantham. She was also a lecturer at the University of Humberside and worked at the Learning and Skills Council.
Meanwhile, Plumpton College, in Sussex, has announced that Jeremy Kerswell will take over as principal when Des Lambert retires at the end of the month.
The appointment will take effect from October 5 when Mr Lambert ends his tenure of more than 40 years at the college, including 15 years as principal.
“Plumpton College has an excellent reputation among the rural communities it serves in Sussex and further afield and among its many partners,” said Mr Kerswell.
“That is a tribute to the dedication of the staff and to the wise and steady leadership Des has provided. I am proud to be following in his footsteps.”
Mr Kerswell is currently area head at land-based Bridgwater College’s Cannington Centre and has previously worked at other land-based colleges, including Brinsbury and Hadlow.
He has a degree in animal science from Reading University.
In Ipswich, Viv Gillespie has officially taken up her position as principal of Suffolk New College, having held the post at South Worcestershire College.
She joins having taught and managed in FE for more than 25 years and will be filling the void left by Professor Dave Muller’s retirement after 16 years as principal.
“I am delighted to join Suffolk New College as principal and I am very much looking forward to the opportunities ahead, working with staff, governors and students, as well as local employers and partners in the community, to lead the College in its next stage of development,” she said.
“I have already found that there is a great deal of support for the college from the town and the county.”
And Skills Show organisers Find a Future have appointed Dr Neil Bentley as new chief executive.
Dr Bentley will join the education careers advice organisation in Autumn from Outstanding — a start-up not-for-profit membership network for LGBT leaders.
He replaces Ross Maloney who left to join the Scouts as director of operations.
Dr Bentley said: “I am looking forward to building on the great foundation already established to help inspire more young people right across the UK to get off to the best possible start in work and life.”
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