New Chair sets out ambitious plans for South Staffordshire College

South Staffordshire College is announcing the appointment of a new Chair of Governors, Steve Burgin, who has been appointed to succeed Councillor Ray Faulkner as he steps down to take the Vice Chair position after almost nine years in post.  

The former Vice President of GE Power in Europe and Pro Chancellor of Staffordshire University, Steve Burgin is currently interim chair of University Hospitals North Midlands NHS trust following a distinguished career in electrical engineering.

Born in Stoke-on-Trent, Steve has worked in engineering for over 40 years, beginning his career as a student apprentice with General Electric Company (GEC) in 1975, alongside studying for an Electrical Engineering degree from Staffordshire University.

He has worked in the energy sector for most of his career in a range of disciplines and management roles, notably as Country President of Alstom in 2008 where he was responsible for the company’s UK transport and energy activities. He also played a pivotal role in the acquisition of Alstom’s energy business by GE. In 2016 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by Business in Staffordshire.

Steve Burgin will be joined on the board by new recruits Phil Tapp, the head teacher of Wolgarston High School, and Vicki Mackintosh who is head of ports business services at Associated British Ports.

Chief Executive Principal Graham Morley said,

“The appointment of Steve Burgin is a very exciting one for the College. Steve has a proven track record of highly effective Board leadership. His experience in the energy sector will further improve our excellent employer relations. 

“Along with the new governors Phil Tapp and Vicki Mackintosh, the College has a really strong balance of experience in both education and industry on its board.

New Chair of Governors commented “The College is indebted to Councillor Ray Faulkner for all his hard work over the last nine years. Having grown up and brought my own family up in Staffordshire it is a real honour to be appointed as Chair. South Staffordshire College is at the heart of education in the area, with thousands of learners receiving high quality education that enable them to shape their future careers.

“I want to ensure that the College is well-placed to combine technology with excellent teaching practices, in order to maintain its outstanding record of employability for college graduates.”

Chief Executive Principal Graham Morley concludes:

“The appointment of a new chair of governors is part of the long-term strategy of the College with changes in its senior leadership team. As I approach the end of my own tenure in post, the College will also be looking to appoint my successor, and that individual will have the unique opportunity to select his or her own deputy, as we are very proud to announce that current deputy chief principal Rob Boucherat will next year be moving to KPMG to head its national Apprenticeship programme. Rob’s achievement reflects extremely well on us all at South Staffordshire College and we wish him every success with his new nationwide role.”