COLLEGE GROUP LEADER APPOINTED VICE CHAIR OF CWLEP

Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Principal and Chief Executive of the North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC), and Chief Executive of the Midland Academies Trust, has been appointed vice chair of regional business organisation, the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP).

The announcement was made as Nick Abell takes up his post of new chair for the CWLEP and the two leaders from the business and further education sectors will work together alongside the CWLEP board to help address the economic priorities of Coventry and Warwickshire, creating new jobs and boosting productivity.

Marion takes up the role at an exciting time for the region which will see Coventry becoming City of Culture for 2021, for which NWSLC has just been named as the official Apprenticeships Partner. The college has recently launched a campaign to recruit 15 new apprentice roles offering a range of opportunities to work in the critical skill areas required to deliver a memorable and professional experience for all those taking part in the 2021 city-wide celebration.

An existing CWLEP board director, Marion chairs the Productivity and Skills Business Group. She served a three-year term as a non-executive director at the Department for Education and was awarded an OBE for services to education in 2009. Marion is also a member of the Coventry and Warwickshire Skills Advisory Panel, a Trustee of the National Society Council (Church of England), and Deputy Chair and Trustee of WorldSkills UK.

Marion said, “I am delighted to take up the role of vice chair of the CWLEP at this period of great challenge and fantastic opportunity. The coronavirus crisis is making its impact felt across the business community and it has never been more important for us to work together in partnership to make sure that skilled individuals can make a positive contribution to the region’s recovery and growth.

“The college is at the forefront of innovation and has made strides in its deployment of digital solutions to provide a continuity of service in further education both over the lockdown period and as we move into new ways of working at the start of the academic year.

“I am looking forward to collaborating with Nick and the board at the CWLEP during what promises to be an exciting and positive year for Coventry and Warwickshire.”

Both the CWLEP chair and vice chair appointments have been made following delays to the formal recruitment process caused by the coronavirus pandemic which has now been re-scheduled for spring 2021.