Sally Dicketts, chief executive of Activate Learning has been appointed as the next Association of Colleges’ president.
Ms Dicketts will take over the role on 1 August from Steve Frampton, who has carried it out for two terms. She has worked in further education since 1985 and is a campaigner and advocate for the learning and skills sector.
Ms Dicketts said she was delighted with the appointment and that she would work hard to promote the FE sector and ensure learners are given the best opportunities to succeed.
She added: “Having worked in further education since 1985, I have seen enormous changes to our sector and have overseen the Activate Learning Group of colleges through some difficult and turbulent times - none more so than now.
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“As we move into a post-Covid world, we will need to unite as a sector to ensure we have the funding and support we need to continue to help our communities and be the engines of social mobility that we have been for so long, and I recognise both the pitfalls and benefits of the proposals set out in the government’s White Paper. The global pandemic has shone a light on a lot of the things we do as education providers, and I think there are lots of opportunities for us to change and adapt our approaches to meet our learners’ needs in the future.
“I want to create a united voice for the FE sector, where we collaborate with clear values of respect, empathy and understanding of different communities we serve.”
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Steve Frampton said his two years in the role had been the best of his life. “It has been a genuine honour to represent the sector I love, and I’ve had experiences and opportunities that I will never forget. From day one, I was given so much support - from leaders, governors, staff, students, stakeholders and the amazing staff at AoC. I know that Sally will have that same support, and she will always have mine,” he added.
“AoC has never been more important to the sector than it is right now, and the role of president has never been more vital. Sally is a hugely experienced, trusted and respected leader with a unique perspective and I know she will do great things for us all. I look forward to working with Sally to ensure a smooth transition when my term ends and hers begins. There’s always an inevitable sadness to leaving a role you love, but I will leave happy in the knowledge that it is in such great hands.”
