College appoints new chair and vice chair to its board

Hopwood Hall College and University Centre has appointed two new members to its corporation board who will become the chair and vice chair of the board in July 2024.

Gary Buxton MBE, a coaching psychologist with a private practice in Manchester, who established the Young Advisors Charity, has been named chair designate and will succeed current chair Nazir Afzal, who is stepping down from the post after six years.

In addition, Ben Ward, who is the chief executive officer for University of Manchester Students’ Union, has been appointed as vice chair designate to succeed current vice chair Clive Reid.

Gary said: “I’m really thrilled to be joining Hopwood Hall who are outstanding in their field and nationally recognised for making education inclusive. I hope I can combine my experience of working with schools, technical education providers and universities to carry on the good work of Nazir and celebrate all that Hopwood Hall continues to achieve.”

The two designates both bring a wealth of experience to the Board at Hopwood, which has campuses in Middleton and Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

The appointments come during a very momentous time for the college after it was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize.
 

Read more: Hopwood Hall College and University Centre receives award from the Queen at Buckingham PalacePublished: 28 February 2024

Gary, who was awarded an MBE in 2014 for services to the young people of England, and Ben, who is a trustee of Manchester Literature Festival, were recruited via Peridot Partners. Dan Baxter, principal consultant at Peridot, said: "It has been such a pleasure to have supported Julia and the board at Hopwood Hall College with this recruitment process, funded via the FE Governor Recruitment Service which we deliver on behalf of the Department for Education.

"Gary and Ben are both successful, experienced and respected leaders and they are passionate about making positive impacts in all that they do. With the college already achieving such wonderful outcomes for its students and local communities, I can’t wait to see Hopwood have even more success across the region with the support of Gary and Ben on their board."

Julia Heap, principal and CEO of Hopwood Hall College and University Centre, said: "I’m so excited to be welcoming both Gary and Ben to our ambitious corporation board.

"These two appointments both bring an incredible amount of insight, expertise and experience and we’re really looking forward to all the ways in which they will help us build upon the huge momentum we have at Hopwood Hall College.

"I’d like to send a heartfelt ‘thank you’ on behalf of colleagues, students and stakeholders to both Nazir and Clive for their many years of service and the work they’ve done over the years to ensure the college has experienced so much success."

 

 

Nazir Afzal, outgoing chair of the corporation, said: "When I became chair of Hopwood Hall College we were strangers and now as I leave six years later, it feels like family.

"The college is thriving, winning awards – including the highest honour in education, the Queen’s Anniversary Prize – and developing learners who others may have left behind.

"I am delighted that my successors are committed to continuing the journey to excellence."

Clive Reid, outgoing vice chair of the corporation, said: "I would not have thought that when I was asked to be a lay member of the audit committee many years ago I would eventually become vice chair of the governing body.

"Now that my term of office is coming to an end, I am pleased to have seen the development of the college and the improved reputation it has in the community, region and indeed nationally.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my involvement with Hopwood Hall and look forward to watching it on its continued path to distinction under the new chair and vice chair, together with the excellent leadership of the principal Julia Heap."