FE News | Lisa Capper MBE, newly appointed Managing Director and Director of the Sandwell Family of Colleges.

The Sandwell family of colleges(@sandwellcollege), which includes Sandwell College, Cadbury Sixth Form College and Central Saint Michael’s Sixth Form, has announced the appointment of Lisa Capper MBE as Managing Director and Principal, who will take up the post in November.

Lisa takes over from Graham Pennington, who has been CEO and Principal at Sandwell College since 2014, transforming the family of colleges into one of the largest providers of education for young people in the country.

Lisa joins from her role as CEO and Principal at Stoke on Trent College, where she was instrumental in transforming the quality of provision and financial health of the college, securing significant partnerships and profile for its continued success in meeting the skills needs of learners and employers.

Prior to her role at Stoke on Trent, Lisa led much of Nacro, the social justice charity, including the transformation of Totton College. He was Group Deputy Principal of North Warwickshire and Hinckley College and Chief Executive of the Academies Trust.

She previously worked in the senior civil service as an FE specialist at the Department for Education and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, leading initiatives such as Skills for Life and Worldskills.

Lisa was an independent governor of De Montfort University, supporting apprenticeships and was the first female president of the National Deaf Children’s Society. In January 2021 he was awarded the MBE for services to young people.

Commenting on her appointment, Ms Capper said:

“I am delighted to be joining the Sandwell family of colleagues at such an exciting time. The college offers young people and residents of Sandwell and Birmingham a great opportunity to achieve their education and skills ambitions and develop their careers. I look forward to working with the talented and dedicated teams across all sites and hope I can bring my skills and experience to build on their outstanding achievements.”

Alan Taylor, Chair of the College’s Governing Council said:

“Lisa brings extensive leadership and governance experience in further education and, through her roles in colleges, charities and government, a demonstrable commitment to the learners we serve. We are delighted to welcome Lisa to the Sandwell family of colleagues and look forward to her joining us in the autumn.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Graham for all his work and contribution to the Colleges progress over the last decade. Under Graham’s leadership and working collaboratively, we have seen colleges go from strength to strength.

“Graham’s tenure as headteacher has seen a transformation of the Sandwell family of colleges, becoming one of the largest providers of education for young people in the country, with improved quality and our best Ofsted result, outstanding finances, an amount of several million pounds. investment program and the best pay and conditions for college staff in the Midlands. Graham leaves us in a strong position with considerable optimism for the future.”