The Bournemouth & Poole College is delighted to announce the appointment of Phil Sayles as its new Principal and Chief Executive Officer. Phil will take up this position in January 2022, following Diane Grannell’s retirement.
Phil joins The Bournemouth & Poole College following an already successful career in Further Education, working at many different levels within College settings. He said: “I started in Further Education as a part-time tutor and worked my way up through curriculum leadership and Director roles at Grimsby College and Lincoln College, experienced wider aspects of college leadership as Deputy Principal at Rotherham College and am currently Principal and Chief Executive at Selby College in Yorkshire.”
The College’s Chair of the Corporation, David Ford, said: “Phil demonstrates a huge passion for learning, forward vision and commitment to the highest quality of teaching. We are confident that Phil’s experience and skills will lead us on the next part of our journey to outstanding.”
Phil is equally as passionate for the future of The Bournemouth & Poole College. He said: “I'm excited and proud that I will lead the college at an important time, when technical skills for work or further study are vital to local people of all ages. The college has a pivotal role in training the workforce of the future in key sectors such as engineering, health, digital, business, construction and many others.”
Of course, there are other perks to working and studying at The Bournemouth & Poole College – the beautiful Dorset area. Phil is looking forward to this too, and said: “I have spent most of my life living and working in the Midlands and North and am now at a point in life where we can move to, live in and explore the beautiful area of the country that Bournemouth & Poole College is set within.”
Phil will join The College at an exciting time. The Lansdowne site is soon to benefit from part of a £1.5bn government fund to improve the estates and learning environments, new courses are continually launching in exciting new sectors, and The College’s departments, staff and students continue to win awards in all areas of study. When asked about his plans for The College, Phil recognised the importance of continuing to grow connections with industry, and said, “The college already works with over a thousand employers and stakeholders, providing apprenticeship training and other training. I bring experience to help it do even more in this field, so it can help fuel company growth and recovery from the pandemic.”
Ian Girling, Chief Executive of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has enjoyed a close relationship with The College for many years. He’s looking to the future too, and said, “I’d like to offer a very warm welcome to Phil. We have worked closely with Bournemouth and Poole College as a Dorset Chamber Business Partner for several years and highly value our relationship with the college. Never has it been more important for business and education to work closely together in addressing the current and future skills needs of our businesses and we really look forward to working with Phil and his team in continuing to build on our great relationship. I’d also like to pay tribute to Diane Grannell who I’ve worked closely with over the last few years and Diane leaves a great legacy and has always placed great emphasis on partnership working.”
Diane Grannell, the current Principal and CEO of The College, said, “Although it is with a heavy heart that I am leaving The Bournemouth & Poole College, I am pleased to hear that I am leaving its leadership in such capable hands. I wish Phil all the best for his new role and hope to see The College continue growing and developing in the coming years. I’m planning on working closely with Phil over the next six months to ensure he has everything in place for his new position.”
The staff and students at The Bournemouth & Poole College look forward to welcoming Phil in the new year and will, of course, wish Diane all the best for her retirement at the end of the year.
