Leicestershire colleges complete merger

Two colleges in Leicestershire have completed a merger which will see them operate under the umbrella of a new education provider.

Brooksby Melton College in Melton Mowbray and Stephenson College in Coalville announced their intention to join forces in May last year.

The merger has now been formally completed following a competitive Structure and Prospects Appraisal, a rigorous consultation period and due-diligence spanning 12 months.

Both colleges now sit within the newly-formed SMB Group.

Dawn Whitemore, chief executive and principal for the Group, said: “This is an exciting time for our staff and students, as both Colleges will now work together to provide an even stronger offer for all our stakeholders. This truly is a merger of equals and I am looking forward to maximising the provision we can offer, with the learner remaining firmly positioned at the forefront of everything we do.

“The merger process ran incredibly smoothly due to our ideally matched culture, vision and education offer, which gives me huge confidence in the progress and growth we will be making as a Group in the near future.”

The two institutions share approximately 10,000 students between them.