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Inspire Education Group appoints Rachel Nicholls as Chief Executive Inspire Education Group (IEG), the further education organisation consisting of Peterborough College, Stamford College and University Centre Peterborough, announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive. Rachel Nicholls will be taking over the position on 1 July 2022 from Janet Meenaghan, who joined Stamford College as Principal in 2015 and became Chief Executive of IEG when it was formed in August 2020. Rachel joined Peterborough College as Acting Principal in November 2018, having previously been Deputy Principal of Stamford College. She currently holds the role of Deputy CEO of IEG. Ian Jackson, Chair of Governors at IEG, said: “Rachel is a natural successor to this role and we have no doubt that she will continue the exemplary progress that Janet has achieved as Chief Executive.
“Not only does Rachel know both Peterborough and Stamford Colleges extremely well from her previous positions, but she has also delivered exceptional improvement at Peterborough over the past four years. In a recent visit, Ofsted praised IEG for its high educational standards and putting students and apprentices at the centre of everything it does. “We extend our sincere thanks to Janet for her dedication and support, and wish her well in her new appointment as CEO and Principal of Nottingham College.” Janet Meenaghan said: “While I am looking forward to taking on new challenges as CEO at Nottingham College, I am sad to say goodbye to my colleagues and the students in Stamford and Peterborough. It has been enormously rewarding to be a part of the improvement journey for IEG and I know that Rachel is the ideal leader to take the Group forward.”
Rachel Nicholls said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as CEO of Inspire Education Group and excited about our next phase of development as we build on the fantastic work across the group. I believe that Further Education has the power to transform lives and help people get good jobs. I will be working tirelessly to ensure we meet the needs of employers and the communities we serve.”
New ‘recruit’ Ashley appointed to help meet regional job market demand offer with the agency itself! Ashley added: “My partner was placed in a role with Anne Corder Recruitment a few years ago, told me how amazing they were and suggested I get in touch. “After a long chat with Managing Director Nel Woolcott, she told me that I was just what the businesses was looking for as part of their expansion plans and offered me a role. As the regional jobs market continues its robust recovery from the pandemic, a leading recruitment agency has strengthened its team to help meet client and candidate demand. Peterborough-based Anne Corder Recruitment has welcomed Ashley Phillips, an experienced retail and operations HR manager/partner, to the team. Ashley has taken on the role of HR & general recruitment specialist, after registering as a candidate turned into a job
“I feel that I bring a degree of understanding and empathy when it comes to the HR sector. Having held or managed the roles that I am tasked with recruiting for, gives me an insight into the requirements which helps both the business and the candidates. “Along with my experience of running my own business I understand recruitment across multiple sectors and the challenges we all face in finding the right candidate for the business and the right business for the candidate.”
Ashely added: “It has been fantastic to speak with the HR managers out there to see how adaptive and exceptional they have all been through the pandemic. My aim in my new role is to make recruitment as smooth and easy as possible for both the candidate and the employer.” Ashely spent many years working in all aspects of retail management for large supermarkets all over the country, and in 2016 decided to focus on a HR career path. He said: “I gained my CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personal Development) qualification and was able to transition from operational management to HR management.” Nel commented: “Ashley brings a new dimension to the business and is a perfect fit with our team. His knowledge and firsthand experience of HR roles is invaluable, particularly at what is now a very busy time in the regional jobs market. We are delighted to have him on board.” connected 23
