Troubled college appoints permanent principal and chief exec
West Nottinghamshire College has announced the appointment of its new permanent principal and chief executive.
Andrew Cropley is set to take over from interim principal and chief executive Martin Sim. It is expected he will start the role in July 2019.
Sim was appointed after Dame Asha Khemka left as the college received a Financial Health Notice to Improve after requesting an extra £2.1m in funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).
Currently the principal of Craven College, in Skipton, North Yorkshire, Cropley is credited with developing a pioneering partnership between the institution and Leeds United Football Club, enhancing its business curriculum through a link with the Skipton Business Improvement District, and growing its provision for students with learning difficulties.
Previously, he was interim principal at Cadbury Sixth-Form College, Birmingham, which he led from financial crisis to a successful merger with Sandwell College.
The 53-year-old, of Coal Aston, Derbyshire, comes with a wealth of experience in the further education sector, having worked in senior roles for the past decade, including at colleges in financial recovery.
He said he was “excited” to be joining West Notts and to have the opportunity to play an instrumental role in its “rebirth”.
Cropley said: “I have an absolute passion for the mission of further education and I’ve loved every day that I have worked in the sector, seeing the amazing things that it does for young people and adults in enhancing their skills, employability and careers.
“West Notts is a college that has so much to offer, in a community that needs a thriving, successful, local further education college. As somebody relatively local to the area, the opportunity to come and play a part in the rebirth of the college was one that I simply could not resist.
“I am coming here to make it the best college that it can be; to make it part of a successful community and to enable everyone who comes through our doors to fulfil their potential. If we do that, then everything else will follow naturally. I’m really excited by the prospect.”
Recognising the challenge ahead in restoring the college’s fortunes, Cropley said: “My message to staff and the wider community is that I’m really confident about the future of the college. If we all work together and are determined to do our utmost to take it forward, West Notts will fairly quickly become everything we know it is capable of being.”
Welcoming the appointment of Cropley, chair of governors Sean Lyons said: “After a rigorous selection process, we believe we have found the outstanding candidate in Andrew and we look forward to him joining us.”
