The principal of the award winning Telford College of Arts and Technology is to retire after running the complex for more than 20 years.
Doug Boynton, OBE, has been interviewing for his successor this week but staff say his departure date “has not been set in stone.”
Mr Boynton has been the principal of the college since 1988 and was given an OBE for services to further education in the 2007 New Year’s Honours List.
In November 2007 he was awarded the Principal’s Award for Excellence from the FE Alliance.
Mr Boynton trained and worked as a mechanical engineer before becoming a lecturer in 1973.
The college has more than 16,000 students with many studying from overseas.
TCAT has also received outstanding in every category of Ofsted inspection and been given many other awards.
Wellington Councillor Gary Davies, from College Ward, said: “There is no doubt about it, he’s built up a terrific reputation for TCAT and the borough over the years.
“The effort and work he has put into the education in our area, and way beyond, is mindblowing. I am extremely sorry to see him go. I know that there are as lot of people who attended TCAT who would like to say thank you.”
Wellington Councillor Angela McClements said: “He has been a tremendous ambassador for education in the borough of Telford & Wrekin over the 21 years and he has been very supportive. I wish him well in his retirement.”
There are two internal and three external candidates being interviewed for the post.
Jan Ellis, TCAT vice principal corporate development, said: “Doug has been a visionary, inspirational leader and a super principal. He is the reason that the college is held in such high regard within the further education sector, with employers and community stakeholders.”
