Boss quits troubled college company
TROUBLED boss Joe Docherty has quit the company which runs Newcastle College after a torrid time during which it was rapped by Ofsted and forced to close a school.
Mr Docherty, chief executive of NCG, has resigned with immediate effect.
He has been in the post for five years and had seen NCG expand to become one of the biggest education groups in the country.
Not only was it running Newcastle College and its sixth form centre, but also colleges in London, Carlisle, Worcestershire and Lancashire, as well as a number of training companies.
But the summer saw the group suffer a turbulent time, with Newcastle College and Sixth Form downgraded by Ofsted to a “requires improvement” rating after a wide-ranging inspection.
The Ofsted verdict came just a few days after the nearby Discovery School in the city’s West End, which NCG had sponsored since its opening in 2013, was closed down by the Government after inspectors found low standards and “dangerous and unacceptable behaviour”.
The group also had to make some staff redundant and deal with strikes during the last 12 months.
A spokesperson for NCG said: “After five years in post, Joe Docherty has decided to resign from his post as chief executive with immediate effect. “The board has accepted his resignation and will immediately begin the search for a successor.
“Chris Payne, executive director partnerships and assurance, will temporarily take over responsibilities of the chief executive as recruitment of a new chief executive starts immediately.” Mr Docherty, who had previously worked at Newcastle housing provider Home Group, is a well-known figure in the North East business community who has also had roles with the Arts Council, Durham University and the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. During his time at NCG, the company had continued its expansion to take charge of a number of colleges outside the North East, building its income to more than £125m and employing more than 2,000 people. Newcastle College has also opened a number of key training facilities in the North East during Mr Docherty’s tenure, and last year won the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education.
The award, which is one of the highest honours in the education sector, was made in recognition for its outstanding commitment to vocational training.
Mr Docherty’s sudden departure means a complete change in NCG’s leadership team, with Peter Lauener - a former top civil servant - having joined as chair in January.
Joe Docherty has decided to resign from his post .... the board has accepted his resignation