New City College chief Gerry McDonald elected next AoC president

The chief executive of a large London college group has been elected as the next president of the Association of Colleges.

New City College boss Gerry McDonald will take on the role from Birmingham Metropolitan College principal Pat Carvalho on October 16, after winning this year’s election against Anna Dawe, principal of Wigan and Leigh College, and Rebecca Gater, principal of Solihull College & University Centre.

McDonald has worked in further education for three decades. He became Tower Hamlets College principal in 2013 before running New City College when it was formed in 2017 following mergers between campuses across Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Epping Forest, Redbridge and Havering.

McDonald said: “I am delighted to have been elected AoC president 2026-27.

“Building on the work of my predecessor, Pat Carvalho, I will continue to advocate for our sector and the critical role that colleges play in our communities.

“Never has our sector been more important and our voice so relevant. I will do all I can to ensure that the impact of colleges is seen, understood and valued by as wide an audience as possible.”

McDonald is chair of the AoC’s employment policy committee, a serving college leader on the National Leaders for Further Education programme, led by the FE Commissioner, and deputy chair of the Education and Training Foundation.

He also serves on the Greater London Authority’s London Energy Mission Board. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2025 new year honours for services to further education.

David Hughes, chief executive of the AoC, said McDonald is a “true champion of further education” and brings with him “enormous knowledge and experience” in the sector.

“Gerry has given much to AoC already, through his work leading our employment and pay negotiations committee,” Hughes added.

“I look forward to continuing to work closely with him to influence policy and funding and make the most of the many opportunities coming our way.”

AoC presidents are elected by the organisation’s college members. They serve for a maximum of two years and act as ambassadors for the membership organisation and the wider further education sector.

Carvalho, outgoing president and principal of Birmingham Metropolitan College, has held the role since 2024.

She said: “It’s been a privilege to serve at AoC president over the last two years, and I do hope I have made worthy contributions.

“We have a great member organisation rich in expertise and experience ably led by David Hughes. The sector is now entering a period of unprecedented changes and although this feels daunting, I know our sector has the ability to make the most of these opportunities to get the best outcomes for our students, staff and communities.”

Hughes said: “The president role is an important one for AoC and for members, and I want to thank Pat Carvalho for the hard work she has put in, the impact she has made and the support and advice she has given me and the team in AoC as president.

“I also want to say a big thank you to Anna Dawe and Rebecca Gater for putting themselves forward for the role; it was absolutely brilliant to have three candidates running, and it shows the importance and value the position has for the sector.”