Forth Valley College Principal Dr Ken Thomson and Scotland’s Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science Shirley-Anne Somerville have jointly welcomed the appointment of Ross Martin as the new FVC Board Chair.
Mr Martin – who was previously CEO of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry and prior to that Policy Director with the Centre for Scottish Public Policy – took up his position on Tuesday 1 August.
He replaces Hugh Hall who served the college as Chair for eight years and recently became Principal of Fife College.
With a long track record of developing and delivering excellence and innovation in a range of sectors both public and private, Mr Martin’s experience comes from working with businesses, Government, schools, local authorities and other colleges and universities, such as West Lothian College and Heriot Watt University.
Mr Martin, said: “I am delighted to be appointed to Chair of the Board of my local college, particularly considering its well-earned, sector leading reputation for continuing to work closely with employers through its very highly regarded strategy ‘Making Learning Work’.
"I am very much looking forward to working with the other members of the Board, with Ken and his great staff team to build on the excellent work already done, helping to deliver even greater success for Forth Valley's students in support of the regional economy."
FVC Principal Dr Ken Thomson, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ross as our new Chair to our Board of Management and are excited at the thought of working closely with him to further enhance the success we have had in recent years here at Forth Valley College. Ross is an experienced leader with a proven track record in public policy, public service reform and an extensive knowledge of business and government. He is the ideal person to fill this important leadership role and steer the ship as we begin the development of our new Falkirk Campus and in delivering our new Strategy to 2022.
“In 2014 we embarked upon our ambitious and award-winning ‘Making Learning Work’ mission and we are confident Ross will help us realise our 2022 vision for the College by building on all the great work that has gone on during the last few years.”
Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “Ross brings with him a wealth of experience which I am sure will prove invaluable in his new role. Colleges are key to our ambitions in widening access to further and higher education, enabling successful learners and generating a skilled productive workforce to drive our economy. I am sure that Ross will play his part in promoting this agenda locally in Forth Valley and nationally across the wider college network.”