South West Durham Training’s new CEO Shaun Hope will be hitting the ground running as he spreads the word about exciting future plans to the engineering and manufacturing sector.
Shaun, above right, is joining SWDT next month from Hartlepool College of Further Education, where he is vice principal of curriculum and standards.
During his 16 years at HCFE he has held number of leadership roles, having overseen the growth of the engineering curriculum, the introduction of T levels and the development of new specialist facilities.
Key achievements include leading a recent Ofsted inspection where the college’s apprenticeship provision was graded outstanding.
Shaun was a stellar student himself, achieving an A* in PE at school, a Distinction in Sport at Henley College, Coventry, and a Sports Science Degree at Teesside University.
A former professional footballer, he spent three seasons at Coventry City from 1999 to 2002, playing against Premier League and England regulars including Joe Cole, Jermain Defoe and current Middlesbrough FC head coach Michael Carrick.
The Hartlepool-born and bred father-of-two later captained Bishop Auckland FC in the Northern Premier League.
Outside college, Shaun is chairman of The PFC Trust, a charity created by local philanthropists after they won the EuroMillions.
He is also a performance coach and his client count includes current undisputed super middleweight World Champion boxer Savannah Marshall.
He is aware he has big boots to fill – former principal and CEO Natalie Davison-Terranova recently left Bishop Auckland College Group after 15 years to join Barking and Dagenham College in London as principal and CEO.
Shaun, who will join general manager Jonathan Hall (above left) on SWDT’s strategic leadership team, said: “I’m so proud to be taking up the role of PCEO of the Bishop Auckland College Group and one of the most appealing factors of the role is the exciting opportunity at South West Durham Training.
“SWDT is a beacon of high-quality engineering training, with a rich history across our region. Many of the area’s leading names in engineering and manufacturing came through those doors at SWDT.
“We have really exciting plans for the future as we introduce new qualifications, invest in new technologies and develop the workforce of the future. However, we’ll do all of this whilst honouring the history which we are built upon.
“Over the next few months, I’ll be visiting our neighbours on the Aycliffe Business Park and our alumni in their many businesses across the North-East.”
Patrick Lonergan, chair of the Bishop Auckland College Corporation, added: “I am delighted to announce Shaun’s appointment as our next principal and chief executive, and we are looking forward to welcoming him when he joins us early next month.
“Our college is central to community life for Bishop Auckland and the wider region. The last few years has seen us bring about transformational change for our students and communities.
“We look forward to working with Shaun as he takes this forward and are grateful for the outstanding leadership that Natalie has provided as principal and CEO over the last 12 years.
“We thank her for her commitment to the college and wider public service and wish her every success in her new role as principal and CEO of Barking and Dagenham College.”
Bishop Auckland College Group incorporates Bishop Auckland College, South West Durham Training in Newton Aycliffe, Bishop Auckland College Nursery, Durham Gateway and the pioneering partnership between the college and the Auckland Project, Auckland Academy.
