Julie Nerney is new chair of the AoC

The Association of Colleges has today announced Julie Nerney as their next chair of the board, taking over when Carole Stott MBE steps down at the end of the year.

Julie is currently chair of the board of governors at Greater Brighton Metropolitan College, having previously led the City College Brighton and Hove board. She has spent much of her career as a successful entrepreneur and now supports businesses with organisational transformation and change management. In 2012, she played a key role as part of the leadership team in delivering the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Julie, a Chartered Director for the Institute of Directors, also undertakes voluntary work with the Princes Trust, and ambassadorial roles for government aimed at improving improve diversity in public life.

Speaking about her new role, she said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the AoC as their new Chair. I am passionate about the contribution that colleges make to support students in achieving their goals.

“It will be great to be part of an organisation that does such fantastic work providing support and leadership to the sector at both national and local level, including its influencing of government on policies impacting the sector, students and staff.

I’m really looking forward to meeting members once I take up post in January.”

Julie will replace will replace Carole Stott MBE, who will leave the organisation at the end of her term in December 2018.

Carole said: “Being chair of AoC and working alongside such passionate and committed staff across our membership is a privilege and pleasure, as well as a big responsibility. Our colleges play such an important role in their communities and in our success and wellbeing as a nation. They are forces for good that develop talent, transform lives and support individual and collective prosperity and success. They should be supported and cherished and that is why the role of AoC is such an important one.”