Stratford-upon-Avon College and Solihull College & University Centre are pleased to announce the appointment of Barbara Hughes as their new Chair of Governors.
Barbara joined the Governors in January 2017 initially as part of Solihull College & University Centre following a 40-year career in Further Education and Skills, including roles as a teacher, senior manager and inspector. She took the reins from John Bolt on 1st August having been elected by the Governors in February 2019. Barbara takes over at an exciting and challenging time for the College working closely with the Principal, John Callaghan, Chief Operating Officer Lindsey Stewart and the Senior Management Teams and a team of 16 Governors.
John, the previous Chair for the last three years has been a great asset to the College. He oversaw some key developments and achievements including the successful merger of Stratford-upon-Avon College and Solihull College & University Centre in February 2018.
The combined College has a good reputation nationally and locally as a safe and stimulating place to learn with a history of high success in qualifications for students and apprentices and a curriculum that meets the needs of employers. In her new role Barbara, with the support of Corporation colleagues, will oversee investment in new courses, improvements in resources and growth in numbers of students and apprentices, while maintaining careful financial management of the College’s budget. Funding for the Further Education sector has reduced in real terms by 30% over 10 years and the sector continues to campaign for realistic and fair funding with the new Government.
The College has already started to improve the campus at Stratford-upon-Avon with an investment of £8.25 million over 3 years to ensure there is wider choice for local communities and modern and efficient facilities for students and apprentices.
Barbara commented “I am proud to be chosen as Stratford-upon-Avon College and Solihull College & University Centre’s new Chair of Governors, and to help guide the merged College to provide an outstanding level of education and training to our local communities, maintain good financial health and be a safe and welcoming place to learn. This is one of the best colleges in the country and we as Governors want to take it to the next level of success and be THE College of choice in the West Midlands.”
