Martin Penny

Martin Penny took up the post as Principal at Stratford-upon-Avon College in November 2005.

He was formerly the Deputy Chief Executive and Vice Principal at Lewisham College in South East London, where he had worked for a total of 4 years in a challenging inner-city environment.

Martin began his career in Education 15 years ago, working at York University before moving on to hold senior management roles in a number of FE Colleges. He has worked in both the private and public sectors with jobs as diverse as Banking and serving for 16 years as an Army Officer.

Martin said recently “With so much uncertainty about the future of the FE sector I believe that Stratford-upon-Avon College is well placed to meet the challenges of the new recession hit world. By building our reputation as a first-class provider of education and training we will look to meet those challenges for all our learners – local, regional, national and international. Delivering first class teaching and learning at all levels is a target that will also help us as we increase our work with employers to meet the needs of the Skills Agenda.”

At the College Martin has championed two key areas of provision, Hospitality & Catering and Performing Arts, Media and Art – both areas graded as outstanding at the last OFSTED inspection. The new buildings that came into use a year ago house state of the art theatre and arts facilities with delivery of both performance and back-stage training ranging from entry level theatre studies through to HND media studies. He has also led on the Colleges involvement in the Creative and Cultural Skills agenda, championing the creative apprenticeship programme in the West Midlands and providing a key colleague to forge a link between the NSA and the FE Sector.

The Colleges alumni include celebrities such as Tony Tobin, Ben Elton, Simon Pegg and Jo Joyner and has established links with key employers such as the RSC, The Birmingham Hippodrome and the Oxford Playhouse. Off stage the College has links with the MOSC group and is looking to how employers will lead on the NSA grouping for the Heart of England.

Martin will bring to the NSA Board that broad experience of the private and public sector, a College that is committed to excellent delivery with outstanding results and a collaborative approach that will put the employer at the centre of the Heart of England NSA.