The chief executive of Capital City College Group (CCCG) has agreed to take a pay cut of 5 per cent from the beginning of next year to help create an atmosphere of “mutual trust” between management and staff.

Roy O’Shaughnessy was appointed chief executive at London’s biggest college group in June, replacing Andy Wilson, who retired.

A CCCG spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Roy has offered to take a 5 per cent pay cut, effective from 1 January 2019. Staff pay in FE has suffered in recent years and Roy has taken this unprecedented step because of his personal commitment to fairness - in essence, he is practising what he preaches.”

The news comes as the college group agreed a pay deal that will see some of its staff receive an extra 5 per cent in 2018-19.

In the last academic year, lecturers at the group’s three FE colleges - City and Islington College; the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (Conel); and Westminster Kingsway College - walked out over pay for eight days.

‘Atmosphere of mutual trust and respect’

Mr O’Shaughnessy, who has also agreed to waive his bonus for this year, announced that he will be aiming to take a pay cut “as a step to help create an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect across the organisation”.

The staff pay deal at CCCG, which will be backdated to September, means staff earning under £55,000, who will receive the extra 5 per cent, could have up to an extra £130 per month in their pay packets.

Those earning between £56,000 and £76,000 will earn an extra 3 per cent, while those earning £76,000 or more will not get a pay increase this year.