Dr Anne Murdoch, OBE, who has been Principal and CEO of Newbury College for 16 years, recently announced her intention to retire at the end of the year. As well as the College's longest serving principal, Anne is also the only female principal in its 70-year history.
Previously the Deputy Principal at Farnborough College of Technology, Anne Murdoch joined Newbury College in 2001 when it was located off the Oxford Road in Newbury. Anne oversaw the relocation of the College to its current, purpose-built site on Monks Lane in 2002, and has since developed the campus facilities to include a sports hall, construction training centre, training restaurant and, most recently, an engineering solutions laboratory.
The College, which was OFSTED rated good' in 2009, 2015 and 2017, also plans to open a new primary school ' Highwood Copse ' in 2018.
Speaking about her career, Anne said: It has been an honour and privilege to have spent most of my career within the education sector and my greatest joy to have served as Principal and CEO of Newbury College for over 16 years. The staff, students and partners have been an inspiration to me and I will miss them greatly.
Now that the College has had another good' OFSTED inspection and is in a strong financial position, it's a good time to hand over the leadership. The College is moving into an exciting new phase of development, with a new primary school planned and excellent facilities for science, technology, engineering and maths in place ' I have no doubt it will go from strength to strength.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my colleagues for their support over the years.
Anne was awarded an OBE in 2012 and graduated from the University of East Anglia with a Doctorate in Applied Education in 1983.
The College has also recently appointed a new Corporation Chair, Geoff Knappett. Geoff, former director of Newbury Building Society, who served on the College's corporation board for over eight years, and took over from West Berkshire Council's Chief Executive, Nick Carter whose term ended in April. Chris Boulton, Chief Executive of Greenham Common Trust, and Peter Allen, a retired businessman, have also recently joined the board.
Commenting on Anne's retirement, Geoff said: The governors express their sincere appreciation and gratitude for the way Anne has managed the College. Her drive and inspirational leadership have made a significant contribution to the College's success and achievements over the years. She will be greatly missed by governors, staff, students and stakeholders alike and she will leave with our very best wishes.
It is anticipated that Anne's successor will be in post from 1 January 2018. Anne will continue to work on a part-time basis to see the development of the primary school through to its opening, along with other campus projects. She will also help the College celebrate its 70th birthday next year.