Ken Merry has been appointed York College & University Centre’s new principal and chief executive.
Mr Merry has been acting chief executive and principal since October 2023. He was appointed by the governing body following a thorough search and selection process.
He said: “I am both delighted and humbled to have been given the opportunity to lead the wonderful York College & University Centre as the next principal and chief executive.
“It is an honour and a privilege to become the latest custodian of this great, historic college.
“I am committed to making York College a truly brilliant institution leading the region’s training and skills agenda, whilst ensuring that the college becomes a key partner in the communities we serve.”
Mr Merry was appointed as the college’s deputy chief executive and principal in June 2023.
He arrived at Sim Balk Lane having formerly been the vice principal for quality at Barnsley College, where he helped the South Yorkshire institution achieve an “outstanding” Ofsted grade in 2022.
Mr Merry started out in education as an A level travel and tourism teacher at New College Pontefract and has also served as an Ofsted inspector.
He grew up on a Rotherham council estate where, he has previously stated, youngsters generally ended up “either at a further education college or in prison” and he believes, for him, education provided a means of “changing his life”.
Mr Merry is also a trustee of the Prisoners’ Education Trust and, outside of work, is a passionate Rotherham United fan and enjoys reading crime thrillers, swimming and travelling.
Ian Looker, the chair of governors, said: “On behalf of the governing body, I am delighted to announce that Ken Merry has been appointed as the new principal and chief executive of York College & University Centre.
“The governors have been impressed with the leadership Ken has provided to date and are confident that he will continue to provide the right leadership for York College in the future, reflecting its core values and leading it towards a successful future.”
