Dame Asha Khemka has resigned as principal and chief executive of Vision West Nottinghamshire College. Her move comes only weeks after it was revealed the college had been issued with a financial notice to improve after requesting exceptional financial support.

The notice brought Vision West Nottinghamshire College into scope for referral to the FE commissioner.

Dame Asha Khemka was among the highest paid principals in England. In 2016-17, she received a remuneration package of £262,000 - slightly less than in 2015-16, when it was £275,000.

In a statement published this morning, the college’s chair of governors Nevil Croston said: “Following a special meeting of the board of governors and in light of the current challenges faced by the college, the principal and chief executive has announced she has stepped down from her position with immediate effect.”

Financial difficulty

“The board thanks Dame Asha for her service and for the difference she has made to the college and the local community during her tenure. We are now working with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and the FE commissioner’s office to appoint an interim principal until a national search for a permanent replacement can be implemented.”

He added: “Although we are not the only college to experience financial difficulty at this present time, the board and senior leadership team deeply regrets that the organisation has found itself in this position. We have every confidence in our ability to successfully implement our recovery plan and ensure our provision for students and employers remains first-class.”

The chair said that although the college could not rule out having to approach the ESFA for further funding, it was “committed to correcting the college’s finances in a way that minimises disruption to staff, students and the communities we serve while maintaining an excellent experience for our students”.

‘High-quality education’

“The college’s strength has always been in providing high-quality education and training that makes a real difference, and the current challenges will not change that. We have already made significant progress in achieving this year’s enrolment targets, and across-the-board we are seeing our students achieve their qualification and move on to their next steps, whether that be further study or employment.

“The focus now is on building on this positive start to the year, working closely with colleagues and their representatives, and with the local community, to ensure our continued success for the future. We are very much open for business.”