City college appoints education expert as chair of governors

Coventry’s leading FE college has appointed a nationally-renowned education expert as its chair of governors.

Professor Adam Boddison, who is Chief Executive at the National Association for Special Educational Needs and Chair of Whole School SEND, takes over the role from Sue Noyes at Coventry College next month.

Boddison was Director of the Centre for Professional Education at the University of Warwick and sits on the boards of the Active Learning Trust and the Academies Enterprise Trust, which together provide education for more than 40,000 children across 80 schools.

Noyes, former Chief Executive of East Midlands Ambulance Service, is stepping down after more than three years in the role.

Boddison said the chance to shape education provision in his home city had been the major draw to taking the role.

He said:

“I went to university here and have lived here with my family for 20 years, and I know what an important role Coventry College plays in providing young people with the relevant skills for the workplace and therefore helping to drive the local and regional economy.

“I have had considerable experience at all levels of governance in schools and the third sector, and I feel very passionately about the role of further education. It does not achieve the prominence and recognition it should considering the vital role it plays, and when it comes to funding it has too often been the poor relation.

“The chance to help drive and develop Coventry College is really exciting, and I am very much looking forward to working with the senior team.”

He is set to leave his role at the National Association for Special Educational Needs at the end of August and has been appointed CEO for the Association for Project Management.

Boddison takes up his role on August 1 as the college prepares to move all its operations to its city campus where it delivers a wide range of full-time, part-time and Higher Education programmes for school leavers and adult learners

Principal and CEO Carol Thomas paid tribute to Noyes and said Boddison was joining at a vital time in the College’s development.

“This is a very exciting time for Coventry and the college,” she said.

“The city is undergoing a transformation, due in no small part to UK City of Culture, and we are entering a new phase of development with the delivery of all our services coming from our city campus.

“The fact that Adam has a proven track record over two decades in education and that he lives in the city, is an ideal combination to help take us forward.

“Sue has been a superb chair of governors and has been an invaluable support to me since I arrived at the college a year ago.”

Noyes added:

“I wish Adam, Carol and the team at the college all the best for the future.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the role and will be following the College’s fortunes in the coming months and years.”