A new principal has been appointed to head up City of Wolverhampton College following the decision by the current postholder to stand down at the end of this academic year.
Louise Fall, who is currently the college’s deputy principal, will take up the position of principal and chief executive on 1 August 2024 and replaces Mal Cowgill who is stepping down after six years in the role.
Ms Fall has 20 years’ experience in the further education sector, and joined the college as quality improvement director in 2014 before becoming vice principal for student engagement in 2020 and deputy principal in 2022.
Speaking of her appointment, Ms Fall said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed principal of the college. I am committed to ensuring the college continues to serve the needs of local people and local employers and that we continue to develop courses and apprenticeships to meet local demand.
“There are exciting times ahead with the opening of our new £8.1million Advanced Technology and Automotive Centre in September and the new campus in the City Learning Quarter due to open in September 2025 and I am looking forward to leading the college and its dedicated staff, students and apprentices through the next stage of its development.”
Mike Hastings, chair of the board of governors at the college, said: “The board of governors is very pleased to have appointed Louise Fall as our new principal and chief executive. Louise has been a key member of our leadership team since 2014 and an integral part of our ongoing college developments. We look forward to continuing to work with her on delivering our vision of outstanding student experience and success for all”.
Outgoing principal Mal Cowgill, said: “I have worked with Louise for a number of years and am confident that I am handing over the reins to someone who will continue to work with our amazing teaching and business support staff to provide local people with needs-led first-class training opportunities in outstanding facilities and continue its position as a leading provider of further education in the West Midlands region.
Ms Fall will be supported in the role by Peter Merry, the college’s current deputy chief executive, who has been promoted to the post of deputy principal and chief executive.
For details of all courses and apprenticeships offered by the college go to wolvcoll.ac.uk.
