A SURGE in student numbers and a number of major building projects has resulted in an expansion of roles at Askham Bryan College and its main centres in the North of England.

It sees Liz Philip become executive principal and chief executive, and Dr Tim Whitaker, formerly head of higher education at Duchy College, Cornwall, becomes campus principal at Askham Bryan.

The college provides degree, diploma and apprenticeship courses and is one of the fastest growing colleges in the UK. With an annual turnover of £30m and around 4,500 students, it specialises in providing agriculture, animal and countryside management courses at centres in an area from Penrith to Newcastle and Teesside as well as Yorkshire.

Mrs Philip said: "Our long term vision is to not only provide the best education possible, but also to have first class facilities for our students which match that. We are part way through a £34m building project at the York campus which will see a new Animal Management Centre, plus the £3m project at Newton Rigg College is well on the way to completion. We also plan major investments at our sites in the North East."

She added: "It is important that we keep moving forward to ensure our students leave us with the best qualifications possible, and more importantly, as work-ready individuals who will be the leaders, opinion formers and work force of tomorrow."

In the last seven years, the college has added centres at Newton Rigg in Cumbria, Newcastle, Hexham, Teesside, Bradford, Scarborough and Wakefield to the Askham Bryan portfolio. It also continues to operate centres in Harrogate, Thirsk and Guisborough.

Dr Whitaker has more than 20 years experience in the development and delivery of land-based education, particularly in higher and post graduate education at senior management level. Business engagement and curriculum development have been an important part of his career.

He is also an experienced researcher with over 50 publications covering agriculture, equine and sport performance analysis. Dr Whitaker is married to Claire and they have three children.

He said: “I am very much enjoying my role at Askham Bryan College, particularly as the campus continues to develop, the next stage being the opening of our new animal management centre and wildlife park. I see the College as the link between rural and urban communities and providing a good student experience is a key part of that.”