Further Education Colleges Property Development Conference

Association of Colleges – David Hughes, Chief Executive

David is the Association of College’s direct liaison with government and works tirelessly to represent the challenges and needs of the sector to politicians and other stakeholder groups. He joins the event to outline how the past 12 months have altered student and staff perception as to what makes a good teaching environment, to talk about the changing requirements of college estates and to speak about how the sector is addressing the green agenda and technological advancements.

Newcastle College Group – Liz Bromley, Chief Executive Officer

Newcastle College Group is one of the UK’s largest college and training groups, and the first FE institution to be awarded Taught Degree Awarding Powers. With two campuses in the region they support 17,500 students in the North East and contribute to the region’s economy through the creation of jobs and skills. Liz will bring an education perspective to the conversation around potential devolution as well as discussing the contribution the sector can make to future inclusive growth and development.

Luminate Education Group – Colin Booth, Chief Executive

Luminate Education Group comprises Leeds City College, Keighley College, Harrogate College, Leeds College of Music and the White Rose Academies Trust, with a total of 30,000 students and over 3,000 staff. With an Ofsted grade of ‘good’ with ‘outstanding’ features, the group works closely with the Leeds Enterprise Partnership and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to provide learners with courses and apprenticeships to bridge the skills gap and meet regional market demand.

The group recently revealed major plans for a new campus for Leeds City College which will include top quality sports, education and residential facilities. The plans include a new community space, in the form of a multi-use games area, and it’s hoped that this will act as a catalyst for investment in the local area.

Bradford College – Susan Gott, Head of Facilities Management

Bradford College is one of the largest Further Education colleges in the UK, with over 20,000 students and one of the largest providers of Higher Education (Degree) courses outside of the University sector. Sue will discuss the colleges work to update and develop its estate, as well as providing an insight into the process of securing government investment for campus development.

Hugh Baird College – John Billington, Director of Facilities & Technical Services

Serving more than 5,000 students over 300 course, Hugh Baird College is one of the largest and leading providers of education and training in Liverpool and Merseyside. The college continues to invest in its estates and features four separate campuses across the city. John will discuss the ongoing work to invest in and develop these campuses, including their plans for the future.

Glasgow Kelvin College – Lisa Clark, Director of Corporate Services

Glasgow Kelvin College is the newest of Glasgow’s three regional further education colleges. Formed by the merger of John Wheatley, North Glasgow and Stow colleges in November 2013, there are 4 main campuses and 40 affiliated learning centres located across the city. The college has recently developed an innovative learning centre taking ideas from colleges in Finland, and Lisa will share some thought leadership on this project and how their outside of the box thinking enhances the education they are able to provide.

Barton Legal – Bill Barton, Director

Bill has specialised in construction for over 30 years – recognised as a leading individual in construction law. He has substantial experience in conducting adjudications, mediations and arbitrations as well as litigation within the TCC, ICC and LCIA. Throughout his experience he has acted for main contractors, specialist sub-contractors, public sector organisations and developers providing advice on contracts, adjudication, arbitration and litigation. With experience is drafting amendments and negotiating a wide range of industry contracts including JCT, NEC IChemE and FIDIC Bill is perfectly placed to lead the discussion and conversation on our first panel.

Burnley College – Karen Buchanan, Principal

Burnley College is planning an extension to its £100 million campus to provide for the large increase in student number it has seen in recent years. The work will see the construction of a 27,000 sq ft teaching block as well as a 10,000 sq ft sports centre and will be funded by a £6m loan from Burnley Council. Karen will discuss the expansion and how it will allow the college to build on its position as England’s highest achieving college

LocatED – Guy Wheeler, Senior Development Manager

Guy is a chartered surveyor with over 12 years’ experience of acquisitions, asset management and regeneration. Guy has worked on a varied range of commercial, mixed-use and residential development schemes with a number of prominent public and private sector developers, agencies and landowners.

West Herts College – Gill Worgan, Principal and Chief Executive

With the Barnfield Campus redevelopment set to take shape over four stages in the next few years, Gill joins our event to talk about the changing face of college investment and design and how the further education sector can be proactive in changing it’s facilities to meet the growing needs of evolving student demographics.

LocatED – Rav Cheema, Senior Associate

Rav is a chartered surveyor with 5 years’ property experience, most recently with JLL. Rav has provided agency and development consultancy services to a range of public and private sector clients across the Midlands. Prior to that, Rav worked as a Quantity Surveyor for a Lincolnshire based main contractor.

Burnley College – Stuart Arnfield, Director of Finance and Resources

Burnley College are working on a major project to further develop its £100m Campus to ensure it continues to offer up-to-date facilities for the region’s learners. Under the expansion plan, the college are developing a four-storey building within the grounds of the Princess Way Campus that will provide 20 interactive classrooms and specialist facilities. In addition, the College’s sports and fitness centre is set to be expanded, as well as a proposed £12.5m, 20,450 sq ft industrial hub scheme and the delivery of three more educational buildings on six acres of former playing fields. Burnley Council have recently agreed planning permission for the expansion of the college site in January, estimated to create 150 new hobs and attract an extra 2,000 students.