Audrey Cumberford FRSE has been appointed Principal of Edinburgh College to take over from Annette Bruton who is retiring this year after 40 years working in education and the public sector.
There was a rigorous recruitment process and Audrey has been given the task of leading the college in its future development.
Until now she has been Principal of West College Scotland and is said to be a successful leader with considerable experience of colleges and public life in Scotland.
Professor Sir Ian Diamond, Chair of the Board, said: “Audrey was the outstanding candidate and she will be a really excellent Principal. We couldn’t be happier that she is coming to lead Edinburgh College as we enter a very positive stage in our development, with the delivery of our new Strategic Plan and Blueprint for the future. She has extensive experience and an in-depth understanding of the education landscape. Most importantly, she has a genuine passion and strong record in ensuring students and college employees are at the centre of everything we do and that they are all supported to succeed.
“Thanks to the excellent work led by Annette Bruton, the college is now in a great place. She has been an incredible Principal and will hand over a robust, financially sustainable college that is getting better all the time and has a clear sense of its strategic direction. Audrey is the ideal person to continue this work, driving the college’s development and making sure we are meeting the needs of students, employees, businesses, policy makers and our economy.”
Audrey has been Principal at West College Scotland since 2012. Before that, she was Principal of Reid Kerr College, one of the colleges that merged to become West College Scotland.
Audrey, who began her career in college management in 1996 at Telford College, one of Edinburgh College’s legacy colleges, said:
“I am delighted to be joining Edinburgh College at such an exciting time in the college’s development.
“I know I am joining a college with strong foundations which is well placed to meet the many challenges facing education in the 21st century. I also know how skills and training can transform lives and I bring with me a deep commitment to ensuring that Edinburgh College provides the very best of both for its students and stakeholders.
“Being Principal of West College Scotland for five years has been enormously rewarding but I am now looking forward to meeting the many talented staff at Edinburgh College and maintaining the significant momentum created there by Annette Bruton.”
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