Learning Curve Group has appointed Jac Ingram as its new group operations director.

She joins from awarding organisation NCFE where she spent 11 years as director of business operations.

Ms Ingram said: “I am proud to have helped NCFE achieve so much over the past decade and to grow into an organisation with international ambitions, but there are many new challenges ahead with Learning Curve Group.

“There is nothing as satisfying as helping learners achieve the qualifications that change lives, and I aim to ensure Learning Curve Group’s provision remains far-reaching and exceptional in quality.

“I have watched the company grow and excel, and I’m delighted to be joining it at such an exciting phase in its development.”

A qualified chemist, Ms Ingram started her career working at the Sellafield nuclear plant in Cumbria, where in 1992 she became the first female shift manager of the Magnox Nuclear Reprocessing plant.

She switched to education seven years later to work at East Durham College, managing all subcontracted delivery, flexible distance learning, apprenticeships and the then Labour government’s flagship New Deal scheme, moving to NCFE in 2004.

Meanwhile, the Association of Specialist Colleges (Natspec) will be under new leadership come January following with news that Alison Boulton is standing down as chief executive.

She will be replaced by Clare Howard, the current managing director of Association of Colleges Sport.

Ms Boulton said it had been a “privilege to lead Natspec through these changing, and challenging, times”.

“My lifelong passion has been to improve the quality and experience in education for young people with disabilities and working alongside dedicated and expert staff in member colleges to enable young people to achieve their goals has been immensely rewarding,” she added.

Her replacement, Ms Howard, has led sport and health policy at AoC since September 2010 and has more than 25 years’ experience in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

She said: “Although we are operating in times of scarce resources, it is vital that Natspec represents the voices of young people and their families to improve outcomes, quality of life and reduce long term costs to the public purse.”

Elsewhere, the Stafford College principal saga has taken another turn with the temporary appointment of Ian Clinton.

The interim posting follows the resignation of Beverley Smith, who stepped down as principal last month following five votes of no confidence from staff.

Mr Clinton, who oversaw an improvement in Stockport College’s Ofsted rating from ‘inadequate’ to ‘requires improvement’ during a stint in charge from around February last year to April this year, will start at Stafford — also rated as requiring improvement — on November 4.

Chair of governors Mark Winnington said: “We are looking forward to Ian bringing his expertise to the college and supporting the staff and students.”

Mr Clinton, who was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list for services to FE, previously led Blackburn College from 2004 until the end of 2013. It was given an outstanding Ofsted rating at last inspection, in November 2007.

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