Brooksby Melton College appoints new CEO & Principal

Dawn Whitemore has been appointed as CEO & Principal of Brooksby Melton College.

Brooksby Melton College is a specialist Further Education college located on two sites, six miles apart, in the heart of Leicestershire. From the rural Brooksby campus, it offers courses at all levels in land-based and sports-related subjects, boasting sports academies with Mansfield Town FC and the Leicester Tigers, and apprenticeships with Grimme UK and the RAC. From its town centre campus in Melton Mowbray, it offers courses in performing arts, theatre, media studies, and hair and beauty, among others. The College has a fully functioning commercial theatre, extensive farming and equine facilitates and the largest wrap-around green screen outside of London. The new CEO & Principal has the enviable opportunity of leveraging these strengths and assets to propel BMC to being a centre of excellence for education and training in Leicestershire and beyond.

Society conducted an extensive national search on the behalf of BMC, connecting with individuals both within and from outside of the FE sector. A particular focus was placed on individuals who would bring an element of entrepreneurialism and commerciality to the role.

Dawn brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to BMC. Having cut her teeth in the printing industry, she found her feet in education and training. She rose through the ranks of Derby College before joining the University of Derby to spearhead its new business unit, becoming the face of the University to employers in the region and nationally. Dawn led New College Nottingham as CEO & Principal in the years leading up to its merger with Central College Nottingham in 2015, and since then she has built up a successful consultancy business, working with FE colleges and private training providers on a range of challenges. With an unerring commitment to students, a detailed understanding of curriculum and quality, and a keen eye for commercial opportunities, Dawn is uniquely qualified to lead BMC.

Of her appointment, Dawn commented: “Brooksby Melton College is quite simply my dream job, it has so much potential both educationally and commercially, I believe it is quite unique with its diverse portfolio, stunning estate, high performing staff and a culture that promises to take us to outstanding in all that we do. Being part of the Further Education sector brings great responsibility, FE plays such an important role in our society, it is rarely recognised for the transformational part it plays in changing the life chances of all those it serves, I know that leading BMC will enable me to make a difference every day and enable our learners to exceed their expectations, what more could you want from a job.”

On the recruitment process, she added: “I must say the process that Society and the College Governors put together was the most thorough I have ever been through. It was demanding, challenging, exciting and engaging, with absolute focus on what was best for the College and its learners. The team at Society were highly professional, demanding and supportive, pushing and testing at every opportunity to ensure they got the best out of me. A big thank you for helping me secure the best job in the world.”