New Leeds City College chief executive revealed

PETER Roberts has been named as the new chief executive of Leeds City College.
Mr Roberts, who is currently principal of Stockport College, will take up the post at what is to become one of the UK’s largest further education institutions in July.
Neil McLean, chairman of the board of governors at Leeds City College and managing partner of law firm DLA Piper’s Leeds office, said: “I am delighted that Peter has agreed to accept one of the biggest and most prestigious jobs in further education.
“The board believes that he has the drive, experience and passion to make Leeds City College an outstanding institution that will provide the skills and training for a world class city.
“Competition for the post was strong and the governors were impressed by the calibre of all candidates. Peter is a very experienced and well respected educational leader with a national profile and a strong track record in leading major organisational and cultural change.
“I am confident that his appointment will ensure that Leeds City College gets off to the best possible start.”
In his seven years at Stockport, Mr Roberts has helped the college to achieve ‘beacon status’, winning a number of national accolades.
Mr McLean also paid tribute to the existing principals of Leeds College of Technology, Leeds Thomas Danby and Park Lane College which are due to be dissolved on March 31.
Mr Roberts, who was deputy principal at York College before he joined Stockport and will lead a board of 20 governors at Leeds City College, said: “I am very pleased to be offered the opportunity of turning the vision for Leeds City College into reality.
“This is one of the most exciting and significant jobs in further education. I am very much looking forward to working with staff, students, parents, employers and the wider Leeds community to create a college with an enviable national reputation.”
Students and employees of the existing three colleges will automatically transfer to the new institution on April 1.
Leeds City College will be the biggest educational institute in Leeds with 60,000 students and a turnover of £70m a year.