Real Lives: Former lecturer Alex Craig returns to college

A SENIOR figure in the further education sector who has strong links to Edinburgh College is to join the institution's executive body.
Alex CraigAlex Craig
Alex Craig

Alex Craig is among four new staff members appointed to the top-level management team.

He will become depute principal as the college presses ahead with a wide-ranging restructure.

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Alex is already familiar with Edinburgh College, having been a lecturer, head of school and assistant principal at Telford – one of the organisation’s legacy institutions – from 1992 to 2009.

He said: “I’m delighted to be returning to Edinburgh as the new depute principal at Edinburgh College, and I’m excited to be working with the principal and all stakeholders to drive the college forward through the next stages of its journey.

“It’s a huge honour to have this opportunity at what is a really important time for the college, and to be supporting the development of further education in the region. I’m looking forward to meeting staff and teams soon and to working alongside some very talented people.”

The executive team is now five-strong and headed by Principal Annette Bruton, who welcomed confirmation of the new appointments.

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She said: “This is an important milestone in our development and the delivery of our transformation plan.

“The calibre of the new team members means we’re in a really strong position now to make the necessary changes to our curriculum and financial model to ensure we’re successful, sustainable and able to meet the needs of students, businesses and our economy.”

The college carried out an extensive recruitment process for all posts and considered a wide field of high-quality applicants. “The standard of applicants was excellent and the successful appointees faced very tough competition for the posts,” Ms Bruton added.

Her team will lead the college during a crucial period as it undertakes a three-year programme of transformation that will fundamentally reshape its curriculum and financial model.

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The transformation plan will ensure the curriculum provides the right training in key growth areas where there is a demand for skills from industry.

It will also build on existing good practice to ensure students have the best education experience possible.

Joining Alex are new assistant principals Jon Buglass, Mike Jeffrey and Jonny Pearson.

Ian McKay, Edinburgh College’s chair of the board of management, said: “These are vital roles so it was important we got the appointments right, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.”

The assistant principals began their roles on Friday.

The new depute principal will start in October.

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