Corrienne Peasgood announced as new AoC President

A college leader who worked their way up from plumbing lecturer to principal is set to become AoC president.

Corrienne Peasgood, who led City College Norwich as principal and chief executive for a decade, will take on the role from former Activate Learning chief executive Sally Dicketts on 16 October who has been in post since August 2020.

Corrienne has been on the AoC board since 2016 and has represented the organisation regionally as well as nationally, including briefing MPs on the Skills and Post-16 Education Act as it made its way through Parliament. She has represented Norfolk and Suffolk FE Colleges on the New Anglia LEP Board and was the Vice Chair of the Norfolk Children and Young People’s Strategic Alliance.

AoC president is ambassadorial role, representing colleges on the national level and helping to raise the profile of further education among policymakers.

Corrienne Peasgood, incoming AoC President said: “It is an honour and privilege to take on the role of AoC President from Sally Dicketts. I firmly believe in the importance of a strong FE sector voice and I look forward to playing my part in that over the next year. As always, there are many challenges to be faced and I will support colleges and the AoC in ensuring we get the best outcomes for our students, staff and sector.”

Sally Dicketts, current AoC President said: “I would like to wish Corrienne all the best in this role and I know she will be an excellent ambassador for colleges during her tenure. It has been an honour to have held this position and I am proud to have supported college staff and students who have shown such resilience during the challenges of the past two-years.”

David Hughes, AoC chief executive said: “I am delighted Corrienne will be our next President. She worked tirelessly at City College Norwich for 26-years, leading it as Principal and Chief Executive for the past decade. Her impact as an educationalist has improved the lives of thousands and thousands of students. She will be able to draw on this lifetime of experience to be an ambassador for colleges during a time of deep political and economic uncertainty.

“I also want to thank Sally for championing the sector throughout the pandemic and helping to navigate the challenges faced by college staff and students during this unparalleled upheaval. She has been a very supportive President for me and the staff team at AoC. She should be proud of her work for the further education sector and the impact on AoC itself.”