New principal of merged Shropshire colleges named
The new principal of a partnership between two colleges has been announced.
On the back of a consultation starting for the merger of North Shropshire and Herefordshire and Ludlow Colleges, Ian Peake has been announced as the new principal.
Mr Peake has been principal and chief executive at the Herefordshire and Ludlow College since 2004, and has overseen several college mergers in the past, including ones in Herefordshire and Shropshire.
The current merger will secure a sustainable future by offering students in both communities a broad range of courses, a spokesman said.
Mr Peake said: “I am delighted and honoured that the board of North Shropshire College has asked me to serve as principal for the months leading up to the merger with Herefordshire and Ludlow College.
"This is a very exciting development for both partner institutions that will enable us to create a new, diverse and financially stable college to provide the very best education and training to every student.”
The merger talks began last year after a previous potential merger with Reesheath College fell through.
North Shropshire College chair of governors Gillian Richards said: "The board and I are thrilled to welcome Ian Peake to lead North Shropshire College in the coming months prior to merger.
"Now is absolutely the right time for Ian to join us and we are both excited and ready for the necessary work that will need to be done to ensure a successful merger which will benefit the communities of Herefordshire and Shropshire.
"We wish Ian every success in the future.”
