PEMBROKESHIRE COLLEGE is pleased to announce Dr Barry Walters as its new Principal following a rigorous two-day selection process. Barry took up the role with immediate effect after a period as Interim Principal following the retirement of Sharron Lusher at the end of June last year. He takes over the helm at an exciting time for the College with plans in place for a £7 million development at the Merlins Bridge campus.
Following the appointment by the Corporation Board, the Chair of the Board, Caroline Oakley, commented: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Barry Walters as the new Principal of Pembrokeshire College. We are confident that Barry will continue to work to ensure that the learners of Pembrokeshire receive the best educational opportunities possible and to lead the College in its next stage of growth and development.”
With a PhD in Electrochemistry, Barry has undertaken research projects in universities in China and Sweden. Prior to joining Pembrokeshire College, he worked for Kingston University with his final role as Head of School of Business and Information Management. He joined Pembrokeshire College in 2000 as Head of Faculty for Business, progressed to the role of Assistant Principal in 2002 and Deputy Principal in 2011.
Barry has a broad range of experience in both further and higher education sectors and is a Director of the College University Skills Partnership with Swansea University and the Darwin Centre for Biology and Medicine and is Vice Chair of a Local Primary School Governing Body. He sits on a number of other boards including the City & Guilds National Advisory Panel for Wales, Pembrokeshire’s Public Services Board and the Regional Learning and Skills Partnership’s Provider Group.
Speaking after the announcement, Barry commented: “I am extremely proud to have been chosen to lead one of the best performing colleges in Wales. We have a strong Estyn profile for both further education and work-based learning and continue to put learners at the heart of everything that we do.“
“There are challenging times ahead for post-compulsory education and training but we have an outstanding team of staff who are committed to helping our learners to achieve the skills that will allow them to progress to higher levels of study or to employment. I am particularly keen to continue the partnership work with the local authority to ensure education in Pembrokeshire offers the best opportunities to the young people of the county. At the same time, we are committed to working alongside local employers to ensure that we are doing everything we can to support them to prosper and grow.”
