FIFE COLLEGE has appointed current Strathclyde University chief Hugh Hall as its new principal and chief executive.

Mr Hall will take up his new position in the spring. The appointment has been made following the retirement of the college’s former principal, Hugh Logan, who retired at the end of October.

The new principal, will be responsible for approximately 22,000 learners, 6,000 of which are full-time, on four main campus sites throughout Fife. He will manage a commercial client base of £7.3 million and turnover of £43.5 million and will also have the task of overseeing the college's new campus move in Dunfermline.

Mr Hall was born and brought up in the east end of Glasgow and began his working life straight from school in the local Benefits Agency office in Easterhouse.  

He lives in Cellardyke and is a chartered accountant with expertise in transformational change, governance and major project development and delivery. 

His life has been devoted to public service and he has held a number of senior appointments in a wide range of organisations.

In 2009, he was awarded the Public Sector Finance Director of the Year award in recognition of his leadership role in the transformation of Scotland’s enterprise network.

His non-executive roles past and present include eight years as a member of Court at Edinburgh Napier University; chairman of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy in Scotland; chair of Forth Valley College; chair of Colleges Scotland and chair of the Scottish Children’s Lottery.  

Stephen Magee, chair of Fife College’s Board of Governors, said: “Our staff and board members are very much looking forward to welcoming Hugh to his new role at Fife College in the spring.  

"A great deal of work has been undertaken since merger to ensure that systems and procedures are joined up to meet the needs of our learners and there has been significant change and challenges within the sector during and since merger.

"Fife College is committed to ensuring a firm focus on Fife and its learners across the whole region including employers and the wider community. 

“We are confident that Hugh’s range of experience and skills will help us build on the positive legacy left by his predecessor Hugh Logan and that this can be driven forward and developed, in conjunction with staff, students and board members, to benefit all of the college’s stakeholders.”

Raymond McGinty, president of the Fife College Student Association, said: “We look forward to meeting the new Principal and working with him to ensure that all our learners, wherever they are based and whatever course they study, experience a great learning experience at Fife College.”

In the run up to his start date Mr Hall will attend a range of strategic meetings at Fife College to familiarise himself with staff and key initiatives, when his diary allows.

He said: "I am honoured and delighted to be appointed the principal of Fife College. I am very much looking forward to getting started and to working closely over the coming months with the students, staff and partners of the college."

Dunfermline MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville said: "

“I welcome the appointment of Hugh Hall. He offers the college a great deal of management experience, as he moves from his current positions as chief operating officer at the University of Strathclyde, and as chair of Forth Valley College.

"I’ve had the pleasure of visiting both institutions as Scottish Government Minister for Further and Higher Education and I have been highly impressed by their positive attitude towards providing a high-quality learning environment for students and a supportive place of work for lecturers and support staff.

“Hugh will be based at Fife College’s Halbeath campus in my constituency. I look forward to meeting with him when he takes up post in Spring 2017, to discuss his plans for supporting college students in Dunfermline and West Fife.”