College Websites

Simon Nixon

I am a fully qualified public sector accountant with 30 years’ post qualification experience, including the last 22 as a strategic resources professional in the further education sector, most recently at Preston College for the last 7 years.

Despite my accountancy background, it is a long time since I have thought of myself as an accountant. I am much more interested in getting involved in all areas of College life, interacting with staff in all disciplines and taking an active role in learner engagement.

As the first in my family to attend university, I have a passion for education and its power to transform lives. Public service is important to me, with a particular focus on integrity and transparency.

In my spare time, I enjoy family time with my wife and two grown up sons, although they will tell you that I spend far too much time outside running. I am getting slower as I get older, and have long since abandoned my hopes of getting below 3 hours for a marathon, but I still love it.

Previous Principals/CEOs

Louise Doswell

There is no biographical profile of the Principal on the College's website yet. This detail is from the 2021 appointment article.

Louise has worked in further education since 1999 and has held a range of senior appointments, most recently as Deputy Chief Executive and Principal at York College, where she served for 13 years. She has worked across curriculum and professional services functions and has expertise in strategic planning, infrastructure development and working with employers. As part of the Government’s policy to invest in higher technical education, Louise led the development of the Yorkshire and Humber Institute of Technology, working with partners across the region and securing substantial capital investment.

Partnerships have been a strong theme of Louise’s leadership and she has worked with the Department for Education, local government bodies, employer and local community groups. In addition, she has actively contributed to the development of national policy through both the Association of Colleges and active membership of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

https://www.preston.ac.uk/new-principal-and-chief-executive-announced/