Toni Pearce becomes first NUS president from FE

The National Union of Students (NUS) has promoted Toni Pearce to president of the organisation, making her the first person to fill the role without first attending university.

Pearce, previously NUS Vice-President (Further Education), was elected to the position after winning the first round of votes today at a national conference in Sheffield. She received 424 of the 732 votes cast.

“I’m really proud to have been given the opportunity to build the student movement around a vision for public education, and to be leading NUS as we build towards the next general election,” said Pearce.

“Between now and 2015 we need to hold a full and frank debate about what education means to society and to properly articulate the public value of education in communities up and down the country.”

The majority of students NUS represents are in further education. Pearce’s manifesto pledges included inking college and university students’ unions together to fight for local wins in the upcoming general election, campaigning for a single central admissions system for all colleges and universities, and increasing efforts to organise and support students to run and win campaigns in their local areas.

Toni Fazaeli, chief executive of the Institute for Learning (IfL), said: “As vice-president (further education) for the past two years, Toni has been a stakeholder representative on IfL’s advisory council; we would like to thank her for her participation in IfL’s governance, and to wish her well in her new role. Her enthusiasm will help to raise the profile of further education and skills, and the needs of learners in our sector, alongside those in higher education.”

Natalie Thornhill