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What does a typical working day look like, and has this changed since the onset of Covid?
The significant part of my job is interacting with people, from students, colleagues and other key stakeholders. I am not going to lie, being the Principal of a college means there is never a dull day. It ranges from working with people to develop our strategic plan and performance indicators, to litter picking in Bootle. I love it.
What is on the top of your to-do list?
Making sure that students we train leave us with the most relevant skills and knowledge so that they can get better jobs and have better lives. Our students deserve every opportunity in life and so it’s our responsibility to make this happen. To do this we must continue to foster stronger links with employers and work hand in hand with them to understand the needs they have now and in the future.
What is the best advice you have been given in your career?
The best piece of advice I have ever been given which has steered the way I act, is to not only make sure that I always to try to do the right thing but also do it in the right way. I think at times decisions are not always implemented in the right way in some organisations. So it is essential that we are not only doing the right things, for the right reasons but we are also aware and considerate in how we go about our day to day activities. I/we don’t always get it right, but I know we will always reflect and seek to improve.
If you weren’t doing your current job what would be your ideal role?
A Gin taster. In all seriousness, probably teaching again. I love it. The day to day interaction with students is amazing. Watching people of all ages develop in a variety of ways, not just by gaining a qualification. Seeing them go on to be successful in whatever shape that comes in for them is an amazing privilege and one that I have never taken for granted.
Who is your role model (business or personal) in business?
This is an odd one for me because it’s not a famous person and it isn’t a single person. I have worked with, and for, so many people in my career and I would say that 4/5 have really inspired and challenged me to ensure that I am focused on the important things in life and work. They are leaders who have engaged with teams with empathy and passion. These individuals are authentic and honest about their strengths and the mistakes they make and as a consequence motivate and inspire the people around them.
In your personal opinion, how can we maximise the development of talent within young people and how do your aspirations for Hugh Baird fit in with that?
We are fortunate to live in a region with so much talent, regardless of age and as I mentioned earlier, our ability to maximise those talents relates to the strength of the relationships between the employers (those who need the skills) and colleges (those who train the skills). I have seen this work at our College really well. This relationship is at its best when the employer has a passion to share what they need and when the college is flexible and adaptive enough to meet those needs.
My aspirations for the College are intrinsically linked to this. We have set the vision of being the best College in the country for our stakeholders, which obviously includes employers. To make this a reality, we need to continue to engage with even more industry leaders, ensuring that everything we do at the College enables our students to leave being equipped for the world of work. This then in turn leads employers to be confident that they will have the best employees of the future. It is an exciting time to be in education and I am looking forward to engaging with even more employers to make this happen.
Why choose Liverpool City Region?
Because it’s Liverpool City Region.
I have worked in Blackpool, Blackburn and Halifax and have always lived in Liverpool (I think I spent most of the last 14 years either on the M6 or the M62). I just couldn’t bring myself to move and this is because there is no place I would rather be.
I mean it when I say that I feel so fortunate to be Principal of a college in my home city. It is exciting, vibrant and full of passion. Liverpool is a special place, with good people and amazing culture and I feel so lucky to call it home.
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