[A] new principal is set to take over at Kendal College next week following the retirement of Graham Wilkinson who has been at the helm for the past 18 years.
Kelvin Nash, 46 originally from South Wales, moves from the Heart of Worcestershire College where he has been Vice Principal for almost six years.
Mr Nash was educated in Aberdare and studied Business at the University of Glamorgan before training as a teacher in Economics at the University of Worcester. Despite having a few years in Retail Management early in his career, he has worked in the Further Education sector for 19 years.
A keen visitor to the Lake District, Mr Nash will initially be relocating to the Penrith area and is looking forward to getting to know more of Cumbria, its businesses and people.
He said: “I’m only really familiar with the more touristy areas at the moment so I’m looking forward to discovering the more hidden bits around the county. I like biking so you might see me on my bike in the country lanes or out training for half marathons as I like to try to do a few of those every year.”
Mr Nash will be moving from a college with around 800 staff and 20,000 students with 12 different sites up to 30 miles apart, to a college around a quarter of its size but had no hesitation in applying for and going on to accept the job.
“A smaller college is appealing because it brings different benefits and challenges,” he adds. “You can be more visible and more hands-on but you’ve got to punch above your weight just to be on a level playing field with some of the bigger players, and for me, that’s part of the attraction.
“There’s a growing number of colleges at the moment that are foreseeing difficulties and I’m fortunate that Kendal isn’t one of those. Graham has been a really good pair of eyes, ears and hands. What you see is what you get, and I see a college with a good reputation, a good estate and good staff. There’s a culture of respect and high standards across the organisation and further afield. In fact, I have already had employers, business people and even the MP from the area get in touch to congratulate and wish me well in my new role. I think that’s really telling of Kendal College’s importance to the town and Cumbria that employers and businesses want both the college and me to do well.”
Kelvin takes up his new role as principal of Kendal College next week (Monday 28th May).
