A respected county business leader has been appointed chair of governors at Wiltshire College and University Centre.
Paddy Bradley is chief executive of the TransWilts Community Rail Partnership and a trustee of charity Alabare. The former head of the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership was awarded an MBE for services to Wiltshire’s community and economy in 2023.
Wiltshire College has campuses in Chippenham, Lackham, Salisbury and Trowbridge.
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He said: “I’m really excited because there is so much going on, including the new Wiltshire Business School and investment in agricultural technology at Lackham; the exciting healthcare zone at Salisbury; Tech Trowbridge’s fantastic opportunities; and a lot more in the pipeline."
Wiltshire College and University Centre principal and chief executive Iain Hatt said: “We have been fortunate with a succession of great chairs and I am delighted that we now have someone with Paddy’s experience and knowledge of the business and education landscape to continue that work.
“His years at the helm of the local enterprise partnership and his strategic vision will be a tremendous asset to WCUC as we build on the momentum here and continue to deliver on our strategic plan.”
Mr Bradley said the college was an important contributor to Wiltshire’s economy.
“It’s a key player and the work it does has an impact on thousands of people every year, not just the students but also their families," he said. "It helps them get on a track towards a qualification and potentially into a line of work – and what a great start that is for them.”
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The new chair said he would be championing the college to businesses to help them understand what it can offer.
“We are absolutely committed to supporting the economic development of Wiltshire,” he added. “We offer excellent, highly professional and flexible training for businesses.
“We can ensure staff become more skilled, which is what helps businesses grow, and we can do it in a way that enables them to study while they work, which benefits learners and employers. We will continue to engage with businesses to increase our understanding of the skills that are needed in the Wiltshire area, now and in the future.”
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