Forth Valley College Principal Dr Ken Thomson has been presented with his OBE at a Buckingham Palace ceremony for services to education, economic development and the communities of central Scotland.
Dr Thomson received the Order of the British Empire from His Royal Highness Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, at an event held on Tuesday 5 November. Ken was joined at the ceremony by his wife, daughter and one of his sons.
Commenting on the award, Dr Ken Thomson OBE, said: “I feel honoured and delighted to have been presented with an OBE and see it as an endorsement of what everyone at Forth Valley College has been doing over the last few years to help Make Learning Work in the Forth Valley area.”
The FVC Principal took on the role in 2013 and in that time he has driven forward an innovative Making Learning Work ethos and whole campus approach to education and training, which has resulted in a range of positive outcomes for students, staff and partners and a skilled workforce for the future.
Under his leadership, the College won the Association of Colleges Beacon award for Innovation in Further Education for 2014 at a national ceremony held at Westminster. Since then FVC has become multi-award winners for best practice in several areas from institutions such as TES, the College Development Network, the Scottish Training Federation and the SQA.
Personally, Ken was awarded the Stirling Council Provost’s Civic Award in the Academic category in 2016 and has been active in raising the profile of the College locally, nationally, UK wide and internationally.
Projects close to his heart have included: the successful and ground-breaking Schools College Opportunities to Succeed (SCOTS) programme which has helped hundreds of fourth year school pupils across Forth Valley make career defining decisions helping them into further education courses, Modern Apprenticeships or full-time jobs; working closely with local authorities and the University of Stirling on projects such as the Falkirk Economic Partnership, Stirling City and Clackmannanshire Commission and the City Deal funding projects for Stirling and Clackmannanshire and for the Falkirk Investment Plan.
However, it is fitting that Ken should receive his OBE just a few weeks before he takes possession of the keys of the new £78 million Falkirk Campus, which will open in January 2020, and will complete FVC’s ambitious estates plan which also saw the opening of new campuses in Alloa (2011) and Stirling (2012).
Ross Martin, Chair of the FVC Board of Management, said: “The forthcoming opening of our magnificent Falkirk HQ, completing our multi-site campus serving the Forth Valley and beyond, is a physical reminder of Ken’s presence and stature as our Principal. Of course, it’s what happens inside - and increasingly outside - our wonderful buildings with their state-of-the-art facilities which matters most to our students, staff and industrial partners and Ken’s honour is rightful recognition of his role in leading the college’s efforts in that regard.”
Andrew Smirthwaite, President of Forth Valley Student Association, said: “Ken is nothing but dedicated to his role here at the college which is why he is deserving of the accolade. Ken works with us at the Association to ensure we have the biggest impact for our students and advises us to ensure we target the correct people for the needs of the students.”
Clackmannanshire Council Chief Executive Nikki Bridle said: “The Council is pleased to see Ken's achievements and contribution being formally recognised. We have enjoyed an effective working relationship with Ken and Forth Valley College as a member of Clackmannanshire Alliance, in driving innovation and ambition for our young people. We will continue to work with the College’s senior team to create the best training and skills development opportunities for Clackmannanshire and already have exciting projects in the pipeline building on the great relationship and shared values between the College and Council.”