Dr Shaid Mahmood, chair of the Luminate Group, has been named as the new Association of Colleges chair.

In his time as chair of Luminate, he has overseen the transformation of education in the group developing its vision and its brand, supporting and challenging the management team to reverse declining financial and quality performance against a challenging backdrop of economic disadvantage and educational underachievement. 

Mahmood, who also a chief officer at Leeds City Council, said he was honoured and humbled to be appointed. 

Teacher pay: AoC recommends 1% pay rise - or £250

Long read: Meet Sally Dicketts, the new AoC president

Exams 2021: What you need to know on vocational exams

He said: “Our members are central to our work and their support and challenge is crucial to amplifying the influence of further education on national policy and funding. Undoubtedly, these are challenging times for the nation.  

“They are also exciting times with much progress already being made by the AoC with opportunities for FE to play its part in the nation’s recovery and the improved resilience of its communities; and for FE colleges to be positioned at the heart of systems leadership in education in their localities. It is why I’m honoured and humbled to be appointed as chair of the Association of Colleges.”

‘A challenging but exciting time’

David Hughes, chief executive of the AoC, said: “I am delighted to welcome Shaid to the Association of Colleges and look forward to working closely with him in his new role as chair.

“This is a crucial time for the AoC and for the FE Sector - we have the immediate and future impacts of Covid, an imminent White Paper, and the continued push for funding and reform. I am confident that Shaid will help steer AoC and the sector through what is going to be a challenging but exciting time.”