College group’s top boss resigns from post after 18 months

Cornwall College’s top boss has quit after 18 months in the job – making him the second principal to resign in as many years.

Raoul Humphreys resigned from his job as head of the Cornwall College Group on Wednesday with immediate effect.

The principal, who has been with the CCG for 24 years, stepped into the hot seat less than two years ago when his predecessor Amarjit Basi resigned the £200,000-a-year job after nearly three years.

Mr Basi left the role amid controversy over his pay packet during times of staff cuts and financial turmoil for the group.

Ian Tunbridge, chairman of the board at the CCG, which employs 1,400 staff across eight sites and has between 20,000 and 25,000 students at any one time, confirmed the resignation, saying: “It is with regret that the board of Governors of Cornwall College has agreed to accept the resignation of Raoul Humphreys.

“Raoul took over as principal and chief executive of the college in April 2017 and has led the college through a challenging time to a point where its finances are significantly improved.

“We would like to thank him for his unstinting commitment to the college.

“The board of governors will be seeking to appoint an interim principal and chief executive as Raoul steps down from this role with immediate effect. Raoul will support the transition arrangements until they are complete.”

Cornwall College Group received £3.5 million in emergency government funding in December 2017, after it ended the year with £2.25 million less in the bank than planned, and ahead of an application to the restructuring facility.

The year before, in 2016/17, it also received £4.5 million in exceptional financial support, although the board’s annual report in July 2017 said this was all paid back.

In March 2017, the area review report for the South West said: “With regard to financial sustainability, this college is not currently viable or resilient, with weak solvency and forecast operating deficits for the duration of the financial plan to 2019/20.

“The Fresh Start approach will provide the means to support accelerated recovery and move gradually and securely towards the key benchmarks.”

The Fresh Start approach was recommended to a number of colleges after area reviews, or as a result of further education commissioner interventions. The process means that colleges must commit to significantly changing their business or operating model, and the process can include a change in senior leadership.

As reported by FE Week, all staff at Cornwall College were told of Mr Humphreys’ imme- diate resignation. An email was sent to staff not only with the board’s statement but with a message from Mr Humphreys himself.

In the email he said he was “proud of the contribution that I have made in leading the college’s recent financial recovery and getting close to finalising a re-financing package through the Fresh Start programme.

“To expedite this process, I have decided to step down with immediate effect to allow a new team to implement the next phase of the college’s development.”

When pushed further on the reasons for Mr Humphreys’ decision, a spokesman for the CCG said he could not comment further.

@OliVergnault

Raoul Humphreys has resigned as head of the Cornwall College Group