A leading academic has been appointed to take charge of the parent group of Newcastle College.
Liz Bromley, who was previously deputy vice chancellor at the University of Central Lancashire, will take up the post of chief executive at NCG later this month.
The post has been vacant since last October when then chief executive Joe Docherty resigned suddently following a turbulent time at the group which included criticism from Ofsted and the closure of a school it ran.
The Newcastle-based group - which runs seven colleges, two training providers and around 2,500 staff spread across 61 locations around the UK - had appointed Chris Payne as acting chief executive after Mr Docherty’s resignation. He will now become deputy chief executive.
Ms Bromley said: “I am truly delighted to be joining this ambitious group of colleges. Further Education has never been needed more or been better placed to answer the needs of our emerging workforce, and to offer opportunities to everyone who wants to learn.
“NCG represents everything that matters most in the education sector - offering relevant learning at all levels in our local communities, but also working across boundaries to ensure best practice in teaching and leadership development right across the sector.
“I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues and privileged to be leading NCG as we open up opportunities for learners right across the UK.”
Ms Bromley has worked in a number of senior roles in the education sector, including at the University of Salford and Goldsmiths, University of London. She has also been a board member of the National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education, the CBI North West and a governor and trustee of the Sir John Brunner Foundation.
NCG grew out of Newcastle College but now also runs colleges in Carlisle, Kidderminster, Lewisham, Southwark and West Lancashire.
Group chair Peter Lauener said: “Liz will bring huge drive and creativity as well as a successful track record in education leadership.
“On top of that she brings an absolute commitment to developing the highest standards of education and training in all our colleges so that they can provide a beacon of opportunity for all our learners in the diverse communities we serve.”
