Chief executive of cash-strapped Notts college stands down

The chief executive of a cash-strapped Nottinghamshire college has stood down with immediate effect.

Dame Asha Khemka has left West Nottinghamshire College after it received a Financial Health Notice to Improve after requesting an extra £2.1 in funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).

The college is now set to be referrerd to the FE Commissioner for “an independent assessment of the college’s capability and capacity to make the required changes and improvements within a reasonable period of time”.

West Nottinghamshire College said earlier this year that it was having to let 100 staff go in order to make £2.7m worth of savings.

Following Dame Asha Kemka’s resignation, Nevil Croston, chair of governors at West Nottinghamshire College, said: “Following a special meeting of the board of governors and in light of the current challenges faced by the college, the principal and chief executive has announced she has stepped down from her position with immediate effect. The board thanks Dame Asha for her service and for the difference she has made to the college and the local community during her tenure. We are now working with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and the FE Commissioner’s office to appoint an interim principal until a national search for a permanent replacement can be implemented.

“Although we are not the only college to experience financial difficulty at this present time, the board and senior leadership team deeply regrets that the organisation has found itself in this position. We have every confidence in our ability to successfully implement our recovery plan and ensure our provision for students and employers remains first-class. Although we can’t rule out having to approach the ESFA for further funding, we are committed to correcting the college’s finances in a way that minimises disruption to staff, students and the communities we serve while maintaining an excellent experience for our students.

“The college’s strength has always been in providing high-quality education and training that makes a real difference, and the current challenges will not change that. We have already made significant progress in achieving this year’s enrolment targets, and across-the-board we are seeing our students achieve their qualification and move on to their next steps, whether that be further study or employment.

“The focus now is on building on this positive start to the year, working closely with colleagues and their representatives, and with the local community, to ensure our continued success for the future.

“We are very much open for business.”