College head right man for tough task

Graham Razey talks a good game. He also talks an honest one. As the acting principal of Canterbury College, he is – for a year at least – tasked with navigating an organisation with its 4,000 staff and 800 students into an uncertain future. In his first major interview since taking up the post, Mr Razey makes encouraging sounds this week. After several years of plunging staff morale, he pledges to ensure college employees enjoy their time at work. He wants to strengthen ties to the city – an effort to reassert its presence in Canterbury when it has all too often felt disconnected from the city. Most importantly, Mr Razey is not afraid of straight talking – even when there are difficult decisions ahead. Mr Razey makes no secret of financial savings and job losses. But by forming a partnership between the East Kent College where he was already principal, Mr Razey has been able to set a course to solve a number of the issues the college is facing. The college draws in students from all over east Kent, from Herne Bay and Whitstable in the north to Dover and Folkestone in the south and to the towns and villages to the east and west. Its purpose is to nourish our young people and prepare them for the world ahead. For it to perform well, Canterbury College must be led well. Mr Razey promises effective, honest leadership. If he delivers – and we believe he can – east Kent will be a richer place for a thriving, happy further education college at its heart.

‘He is not afraid of straight-talking, even with difficult decisions ahead’