Furness College announces new Principal and Chief Executive

Furness College has announced the appointment of a new principal and chief executive who will take over from September.

Current Principal and CEO Professor Andrew Wren is moving to lead South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust full-time and Nicola Cove, who is currently the deputy principal, will take up the role.

She was unanimously selected by the Board of Governors after a rigorous selection process, which was facilitated by the Association of Colleges, and included an independent advisor from the Further Education Commissioner’s Office.

Nicola, who holds a maths degree from the University of York, joined Furness College in 2018. She has been part of the senior management team and previously held the deputy principal role at City College in Plymouth.

She said she was delighted to be appointed as Principal and CEO of Furness College, which includes Barrow Sixth Form College.

“The college has made significant impacts over the years to improve the lives of our learners and wider community.

“I am looking forward to leading the college through our next exciting chapter and building on the great work that our college-wide community and teams so diligently do every day.”

A qualified accountant, Nicola was employed by PWC before beginning a career in the education sector 20 years ago, working across a range of curriculum and professional service functions using her expertise to improve the learner experience.

She said the education landscape was constantly evolving and she would be working with stakeholders to reset the direction of the college to continue to meet the needs of the community.

“I will become the custodian of an organisation that has been here a long time and I’m looking forward to working collaboratively to expand the opportunities for young people in the Furness area.

“The peninsula welcomed me five years ago, I’ve found a home here and I want to continue to give back to the community.”

Speaking about the changes, Professor Wren said he was looking forward to working together and continuing the strong relationship between the college and SCMAT.

“I have worked with Nicola for several years and am confident that I am leaving the college in her extremely capable hands.

“The introduction of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust has been both successful and popular with schools, which is a huge positive for education across this area.

“Local governors, heads and staff are recognising the improvements we are making with our current member schools and want to be a part of SCMAT, which will begin the September term with six excellent schools, one further school awaiting approval and several others expressing an interest to join in the coming months. As the newest trust based in Furness, we are delighted to be one of the most popular.”

Furness College Chair of Governors Jan Fielding said:  “On behalf of the Board of Governors we would like to express our sincere thanks to Principal Andrew Wren for his hard work, dedication and commitment to the college. He has achieved so much during his period of tenure and leaves the college in a strong position. His achievements include overseeing the successful merger of Barrow Sixth Form College with Furness College, hence ensuring the best quality post-16 educational opportunities for young people and adults across South Cumbria and leading the college through the pandemic.  I know that he will bring the same enthusiasm and determination to his new role as Chief Executive of SCMAT and am certain that his relationship with college will remain strong.

“The Board was delighted to have a very strong field of applicants from which to select his successor and having worked with Nicola Cove over recent years in her previous role and seen her wide ranging abilities and leadership skills we have no doubt that she will be an excellent leader of the college.”