A decade’s career in the chief executive hotseat has come to an end for Denis Hird at Kent-based independent learning provider JTL.
He has stepped down and is due to be replaced at the end of next month by former Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) managing director Jon Graham.
Ian Livsey, JTL chair, said: “Denis has made an enormous contribution to JTL and he leaves with our very best wishes.
“He has kept me closely informed of his plans throughout and although I know he will be pursuing his own business interests in the future, I am sure that he will continue to be involved in some way with training and development in the building services engineering sector.”
JTL, based in Orpington, was rated as good by Ofsted after its most recent inspection just over two years ago when it had around 4,700 learners mainly aged 16 to 18 and on advanced apprenticeships in electrical, plumbing, heating and ventilating, and engineering maintenance trades.
Mr Graham, a qualified FA referee and ECB cricket coach, said: “JTL has a proud record in supporting the well-being and development of skills in the electrical, plumbing and heating trades and this is reflected in some great progress over the last 25 years.
“The company has many highly skilled and dedicated staff and I am looking forward to working with them in helping JTL develop and grow its impressive services.
“The challenge is now taking the organisation to the next level and I am greatly looking forward to my new role.”
Meanwhile, the overhaul of Lewisham Southwark College has been completed with the appointment of Chris Bilsland OBE to corporation chair having already served as a governor since December.
He takes over from John Landeryou following a short handover period, which comes just weeks after it was announced Carole Kitching would be taking over as principal in a permanent capacity from July. She will replace interim leaders Jo Lomax and Ioan Morgan, who ditched the college’s failed Lesoco rebrand amid ongoing work to improve from the grade four inspection result of January last year.
“I am very proud to have been appointed as chair of Lewisham Southwark College at this vital time,” said Mr Bilsland, a former chamberlain of the City of London and CIPFA president.
“I know how important the college is to South London.
“Having got my life chances as a result of going to an FE college, I am determined to ensure that Lewisham Southwark College once again becomes a beacon of good practice.”
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