York College principal steps down due to health reasons

Lee Probert has left with immediate effect

Lee Probert has left with immediate effect

20 Oct 2023, 17:06

More from this author

The principal of York College, Lee Probert, has stepped down with immediate effect.

The 40-year-old’s decision follows a “series of health investigations”, the college said in a statement.

“We send Lee every good wish in respect of his health and thank him for his work over the last four years in strengthening the college’s external relationships and guiding the college through the difficult Covid period,” the college added.

He has been replaced on a temporary basis by deputy principal Ken Merry, with a process to appoint a permanent successor to begin shortly.

Probert has also stepped down from the board of the Skills and Education Group.

He joined York College as chief executive in June 2019 from City of Bristol College, where he was principal from January 2016.

Prior to that he was deputy chief executive at Hull College, where he spent nearly seven years in total.

Probert also chairs the board of governors at Millthorpe School in York and is a trustee of the York Centre for Voluntary Services.

Latest education roles from

Headteacher

Headteacher

Cloughside College

Calderdale College – Vice Principal – Adults, Apprentices and Higher Education

Calderdale College – Vice Principal – Adults, Apprentices and Higher Education

FEA

Director of MIS – York College & University Centre

Director of MIS – York College & University Centre

FEA

Deputy Principal, Curriculum & Quality

Deputy Principal, Curriculum & Quality

City College Plymouth

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

Confidence, curiosity, and connection: How colleges are building learners for life

Acting as the bridge between school and adulthood for many young people, colleges play a powerful role in shaping...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

A Decade of Impact: Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards Celebrate 10 Years of Inspiring Change at Landmark London Event

Friday 7th November 2025 - Over 700 guests gathered at the Hilton London Metropole for the 10th annual Multicultural...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

EPA reform: changes inevitable, but not unfamiliar

Change is coming and, as always with FE, it’s seemingly inevitable. I’ve spent over 20 years working in the sector....

Advertorial
Sponsored post

Funding Is Flowing, Demand Is Rising — It’s Time for FE to Deliver on Green Skills

As the UK races toward net zero, the government says it wants to back 2 million green jobs by...

Advertorial

More from this theme

Colleges, Staff

UCU reveals January strike days in 32 colleges

Teachers and lecturers will walk out for three days over pay and workloads

Anviksha Patel
Colleges

DfE’s £20m spike cash helps buy 9,000 student places

With student numbers climbing sharply, colleges in northern England are using emergency cash to buy new buildings and convert...

Josh Mellor
Colleges

FE providers in scope for £925 international student levy

The levy will fund targeted maintenance grants for disadvantaged students

Josh Mellor
Colleges

Royal recognition: 4 colleges win top national prize

Queen Elizabeth Prizes announced for disruptive construction training, AI-powered ESOL, automotive skills leadership and an SME innovator

FE Week Reporter

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *