Andy is a highly accomplished and values-driven chief executive officer (CEO) whose career in the education and skills sector spans over 37 years; 25 within senior leadership positions. Having been the CEO and principal at four college groups — each with its own set of challenges — he has honed his skills in curriculum development and quality improvement, as well as coaching learning management teams.
Andy is adept at delivering business turnaround and financial recovery through his leadership, utilising his data and financial intelligence and his stakeholder relationship-building skills; raising morale and building consensus across diverse stakeholder groups.
Andy’s most recent CEO position was at Greater Brighton Metropolitan College (GB MET), having been appointed by the Corporation to lead the College’s recovery during formal intervention with the Further Education Commissioner (FEC). His eleven-month tenure included overseeing the development and implementation of the College’s education recovery plan and the professional development of the senior leadership team. Most notably, Andy was responsible for ensuring the merger with the Chichester College Group was delivered to schedule, co-designing the post-merger group and college structures, and supporting the recruitment to senior designate posts.
Prior to GB MET, Andy was appointed to lead Gateshead College through an FEC-led Structure & Prospects Appraisal and subsequently an Independent Business Review. He developed strategies for curriculum, estates and finance underpinned by a restructuring programme and the release of assets. He also conducted a comprehensive review of the senior leadership to inform a new structure and remuneration package, which were approved by the Board, FEC and the Education and Skills Funding Agency. Furthermore, Andy rationalised the College’s portfolio of subsidiary companies, overhauled its subcontracting arrangements and strengthened both its internal and external audit functions. In addition, he comprehensively strengthened Gateshead’s governance by redesigning its committee structures and terms of reference, appointing a new permanent chair and recruiting new governors.
Andy’s other note-worthy experience includes securing a unique multi-million-pound investment from central, regional and local government for Kensington & Chelsea College following the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the subsequent collapse of a merger. He co-designed the strategic options assessment with the FEC, politicians and campaign groups, as well as stabilising internal operations, making quality improvements to teaching and learning, and overseeing a major cost reduction programme to enable financial recovery.
Andy also has experience of creating new strategic plans and designing the associated transformational change programmes, and implementing new management information systems and business planning processes.
In addition to his associate position at Rockborn, Andy is also the Managing Director of MIE Partners, providing transformational coaching for leaders within the not-for-profit and public sectors. He also holds two non-executive director positions; a governor at a college group and a trustee supporting a specialist FE provider through educational recovery.
