Our new Chief Executive Officer has been appointed
Our Board of Governors is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Chief Executive Officer, Bill Jones. He will formally take up the post on 1 January 2026, following the retirement of current CEO, Colin Booth OBE.
Bill currently holds the position of Deputy CEO at Luminate and Executive Principal of Leeds City College, where he leads transformative initiatives across teaching, stakeholder engagement and institutional performance.
He will be taking on the group CEO role at a significant moment, as we continue to shape the future of further and higher education through strategic partnerships, curriculum innovation, and a steadfast commitment to access and inclusion.
A clear vision for the future
John Toon, Chair of the Board, said: “This appointment follows a rigorous and highly competitive recruitment process, attracting interest from across the education and public sectors.
“Bill demonstrated a clear vision for the future of our group, with a deep understanding of our values and the challenges and opportunities facing education at both a regional and national level. The Board is confident that he will provide outstanding leadership in the years ahead.”
Bill has worked in the education sector for almost three decades, holding senior positions at Sheffield College, Rotherham College of Arts and Technology and Burton & South Derbyshire College.
A continued commitment to changing lives
He said: “It is an immense privilege to be appointed as the next Chief Executive. Having worked within the group for over ten years, I’ve seen first-hand the impact our members, staff and students make across our communities every day.
“I am proud of what we have achieved together under Colin Booth’s leadership — and I’m excited to build on that strong foundation. As we look ahead, my focus will be on deepening our commitment to inclusive, high-quality education across both further and higher education, while exploring new ways to innovate, respond to local and national priorities, and strengthen our partnerships across sectors.
“Above all, I am committed to ensuring we continue to deliver against our core purpose: transforming lives through inspirational training and education. From technical and vocational pathways to degree-level study and apprenticeships, our group plays a vital role in shaping futures – and I look forward to leading the next phase of our journey with ambition, care and collaboration.”
The appointment marks a major transition for the group, as Colin Booth OBE prepares to step down after a decade of distinguished service. Under his leadership, we have significantly expanded our reach and influence, championed technical and vocational education, and fostered strong links with employers, civic partners, and communities across Yorkshire.
Further information about the transition and strategic priorities under the new CEO’s leadership will be shared in due course.