THE NEW boss of Bradford College has pledged to keep driving up student satisfaction and achievements.

Andy Welsh takes over from Michele Sutton as Group Chief Executive of Bradford College on August 1 when she steps down after ten years in charge.

Mr Welsh has been a long-time colleague of hers. In his role as Group Chief Operating Officer, he has already overseen the transformation of the College estate, which includes the development of the Trinity Green Campus in 2008, The David Hockney Building in September 2014 and will now oversee the third phase of the accommodation strategy, the new Advanced Technologies Centre which will open in September 2015.

He said: “It is a fantastic honour to be taking the lead role at a very exciting point in the development of Bradford College and its wider Group. We have a fantastic new building opening in September and another to open in 2015 to support advanced manufacturing in Bradford.

"This significant investment in resources will assist the hard work of our staff and students as we continue to improve student satisfaction and achievements. I am looking forward to building on the benefits we share with Appleton and Samuel Lister Academies and the Bradford Studio School in the College's role as academy sponsor; this mutually beneficial partnership has helped improve performance for all and is a major benefit to education in Bradford.”

The Bradford College Group includes City Training Services, Inprint and Design, Beacon Recruitment and Bradford College Education Trust.

Mrs Sutton leaves the College at the end of July to enjoy retirement but has said she will miss "the buzz".

Her career started as a secretary returning to education as a mature student and working mother eventually becoming Bradford College Group Chief Executive and Association of Colleges President.

She said: “I will be leaving the College in the hands of a very strong and capable team. It has been a privileged to have led the College through periods of change. I will miss the buzz. I will miss the celebrations of student and staff successes. I leave knowing that equality and diversity, quality in the curriculum, openness and honesty are embedded in our culture and underpin everything we do.”