Swindon College has appointed Steve Wain as its new principal and chief executive to take over from Andrew Miller, who retires at the end of August.
Steve Wain, pictured, is currently principal of Shrewsbury College, where for the past four years he has led it through a period of revival, including significant changes to the college estate. 
Steve has been instrumental in bringing the two colleges in the Shropshire town together, and regards their impending merger on July 31 as a major achievement.
Classed as a ‘coasting college’ by Ofsted in 2012, Shrewsbury College achieved its best ever Ofsted inspection result in 2014. Applications for entry to the college in September 2016 are at a five-year high, following three consecutive years of growth.
Steve, who has also worked at colleges in London, Hampshire and Gloucestershire, joins Swindon College on August 25.
He said: “Swindon is a vibrant town with a growing economy and excellent future prospects.
“Swindon College is playing a crucial role in supporting economic growth and in providing much-needed education and training for the wider community.
“I am already highly impressed with the college students and am thrilled to be coming to work with such a dedicated and positive group of colleagues.”
Current principal Andrew Miller joined Swindon College in January 2010 with a clear remit to lead an improvement in the quality of teaching and learning, enhance the student experience and bring about financial stability.
The 11,000-student college had received an ‘inadequate’ grading in 2007, and was rated ‘satisfactory’ in 2009.
By February 2013, under Andrew’s leadership, it was judged as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted – the first college in the South of England - and only the second nationally – to gain such a rating under a new, tougher inspection regime.
Ofsted inspectors noted at the time: “Leadership and management of the college are outstanding. Leaders and managers have successfully created a culture of respect and ambition, and have improved the quality of the college’s provision in a comparatively short time.”
Andrew has improved its financial position since 2010, including investment at its North Star campus.
He said: “I am pleased to be able to leave the college in such an excellent position, knowing that colleagues are able to continue providing the excellent standards of teaching and learning for which Swindon College has become renowned.
“I have enjoyed the role immensely and will miss the students and staff. FE colleges are so important to the communities they serve”
The college’s chair of governors Rob Beale added: “The governing body, staff and students owe Andrew a huge debt, and we know that he will continue to be successful in whatever he does next.
“We are delighted to have recruited a principal and chief executive of Steve’s calibre and experience, and are looking forward to supporting him in building on Andrew’s great work, and taking Swindon College on to the next phase in its development.”
