Derek stands down after many years at the helm

DEREK LLOYD recently chaired his last meeting of the Pembrokeshire College Corporation Board of Governors after 19 years as Chairman.

 Derek became a member of the Board in 1992 and became Chairman in April 1995 following the retirement of Councillor Bill Phillips. In his outgoing message Derek spoke of the many changes to the College over the past 20 years. He spoke of the significant investment in the College estate and the high regard with which the College is held within the sector for its innovation and good practice, providing a unique environment for learners. He paid tribute to the senior management team and all the staff at the College for their hard work, dedication and ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. In response, Chairman-Elect Stephen Harrison thanked Derek for his enormous contribution to the work of the College and stated that he had been instrumental in what had been achieved under his strong leadership. He also referred to Derek’s involvement on the Board of ColegauCymru (the body that represents further education colleges in Wales) and read a tribute from the Chief Executive Dr John Graystone thanking Derek for his steady hand and wise counsel which had helped ensure that the FE sector had been able to respond positively to the challenges it has faced over recent years. The College will not be losing the vast experience of Derek as he takes up the position of President of the newly formed Pembrokeshire College Advisory Forum. Stephen will chair his first meeting of the Board on July 8, the last meeting of the current academic year, and is looking forward to the challenging role. Stephen is an economics graduate from Aberystwyth University and a chartered accountant. He was a partner in PWC for 27 years and at the time of his retirement was Chairman for Wales and the West region. Stephen is currently non-executive director/adviser to a number of companies based in Wales. He is also a member of the Competition Appeal Tribunal. His role in PWC gave him exposure to the education sector and he has been advisor to a number of further education colleges and universities. His interest in education and training is reflected by his previous roles as chairman of the former Swansea Further Education College and The Competitiveness and Skills Board for the West of England (covering the four local authorities around the City of Bristol). Supporting him in his role as Vice Chairman will be Andrew Brown. Andrew is a chartered engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers. He was, until retirement in 2012, the Engineering Director for Milford Haven Port Authority having started as the Port’s first Port Engineer in 1990. He has been a College Governor for over eight years and has been Chairman of the College’s Audit Committee since 2010. College Principal Sharron Lusher added her thanks to Derek for supporting her and the previous two Principals under his Chairmanship and for his direction in leading the Board and the College. She also paid tribute to the former Vice Chairman Danny Fellows, who sadly passed away earlier this year, stating that Derek and Danny were a formidable team, ably supported by their colleagues on the Board of Governors and that she looked forward to working with Stephen and Andrew and other members of the Board of Governors in steering the College through an exciting time for further education in Wales.