Greater Brighton Metropolitan College board chair Julie Nerney has been announced as the next chair of the Association of Colleges. She will take over from Carole Stott, whose term comes to an end in December. 

Ms Nerney (pictured) previously led the City College Brighton and Hove board. She is an entrepreneur and now supports businesses with organisational transformation and change management. In 2012, she played a key role as part of the leadership team in delivering the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. A chartered director for the Institute of Directors, she also undertakes voluntary work with the Prince’s Trust.

‘Passionate about colleges’

She said she was thrilled to be the AoC’s new chair. “I am passionate about the contribution that colleges make to support students in achieving their goals. It will be great to be part of an organisation that does such fantastic work providing support and leadership to the sector at both national and local level, including its influencing of government on policies impacting the sector, students and staff.”

Carole Stott said being chair of the AoC and working alongside passionate and committed staff across its membership was “a privilege and pleasure, as well as a big responsibility”. “Our colleges play such an important role in their communities and in our success and wellbeing as a nation. They are forces for good that develop talent, transform lives and support individual and collective prosperity and success. They should be supported and cherished, and that is why the role of AoC is such an important one.”