Principal Nick Bennett to retire

Nick Bennett, Principal and Chief Executive of Gower College Swansea, has announced his decision to retire in July 2013.

By that time Nick, who was previously Principal of Gorseinon College, will have been in the teaching profession for 36 years, including 34 years in the Welsh Further Education sector and 11 as a Principal in Swansea.

His time at Gower College Swansea has been largely taken up with matters arising from the merger of the two legacy colleges at Swansea and Gorseinon.

“I believe that we have instituted a process of integration that should stand the college in good stead for the future,” says Nick. “We have developed and refined an organisational structure that should provide a sound basis upon which to harmonise fully the college’s systems and curriculum. Many of these achievements were formally recognised by Estyn in their inspection of the college in January this year.”

“I count my time at Gower College Swansea and Gorseinon College as amongst the happiest of my career as well as a privilege and great honour. I have worked with two Corporation Boards and management teams who have supported me unstintingly through some difficult times and who have also been there to celebrate our triumphs.”

“I feel doubly privileged to have worked with a fine group of teaching and business support staff whose collective effort has made our college what it is today. I am confident that the college’s future is secure and that it will go from strength to strength. I wish my successor and all staff the very best in the years to come.”

After his retirement, Nick is looking forward to spending more time with his family and on his other interests in the arts and in smallholding.

The Governing Body of the college will meet shortly to begin the process of selecting a successor to the role.