An experienced education chief has been appointed as the new principal and chief executive of North East Scotland College (NESCol).
Liz McIntyre will take over from principal Rob Wallen, who announced his retirement earlier this year.
Ms McIntyre – who was chosen after a “rigorous selection process” by the NESCol board – has been serving as principal and chief executive of Borders College since 2006.
She previously filled the same role at Bath College and was the vice-principal of a large college in South Kent.
Yesterday, Ms McIntyre said she was “delighted” to be joining the NESCol team.
“The college is very successful and I look forward to working with the board and the staff of the college to build on this success and to continue to provide excellent learning experiences for students,” she said.
“I also look forward to working with partners across the region to ensure that education, skills and training are delivered in a way that supports the future ambition and prospects of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.”
The selection panel chose Ms McIntyre because she is “very aware” of the challenges facing the north-east economy and “realises the critical importance of having at the heart of any economic recovery a thriving, innovative and successful college”.
Ken Milroy, regional chairman of the college management board, said: “NESCol is a highly successful college and the position of principal attracted some very strong candidates from across the UK.
“We were looking for someone to build on the great work that our current principal has achieved, someone with ambition and drive to help us realise the vision we have for the college in the region.
“We knew we were also looking for someone who could lead and support our objectives over the next stage in the college’s development which of course includes our ambitious estates strategy and Liz fulfils this.”
Mr Milroy added that he is looking forward to working with the incoming principal when Mr Wallen leaves for his “well-earned retirement”.
NESCol manages campuses in Aberdeen and Fraserburgh as well as the Scottish Maritime Academy in Peterhead and a host of other learning outposts in the region.