Newly merged Morley College makes key hires to its senior leadership team

Morley College London, which in February merged with Kensington and Chelsea College (KCC) to form one of the largest providers of lifelong learning in London, has made three key hires to its leadership team. Gerald Jones has been appointed as Centre Principal for Morley’s historic site in Waterloo, Matias Shortcook is the new Centre Principal for the former KCC site in Chelsea, and Matthew Cunningham has become the College’s first ever Chief Marketing and Engagement Officer.

Established in 1889, Morley College London is one of the country's oldest and largest specialist providers of adult education and one of only nine Specialist Designated Institutions (SDIs) in the UK. On February 3rd 2020 it confirmed a major merger with KCC, increasing its geographical reach into North Kensington and Chelsea and broadening its provision of sustainable and affordable programmes.The merger is supported by £32 million of investment from the Department for Education, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Greater London Authority. Among other initiatives, this will go towards a major refurbishment of the North Kensington Centre, which serves the community affected by the tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire.

As the new Centre Principal for the Chelsea Centre, Matias Shortcook will further expand the Centre’s established profile in Fashion and the Visual Arts, continuing to link the curriculum to the needs of London’s creative industries. Matias joins Morley College London from Plymouth College of Art where he was Dean of the Pre-Degree Programme. Before this, he worked in a range of further and higher education settings as a lecturer and course leader, and he brings considerable experience of driving creative learning practice and innovative curriculum leadership.

Gerald Jones joins the Waterloo Centre from the London Borough of Lewisham, where he has been Head of Adult Learning since 2015. As Centre Principal, Gerald will build on the rich heritage of the Waterloo Centre while seizing opportunities to renew and reposition the Centre as a contemporary world-class centre for adult learning. This is actually a return to Morley for Gerald as he spent some time teaching at the College towards the beginning of his career.

As the College’s inaugural Chief Marketing and Engagement Officer, Matthew Cunningham is responsible for delivering a step-change in public awareness and profile of Morley College London, in London and beyond, as a leading Institute of Adult Learning. Matthew joins Morley from the Royal Academy of Dance where he spent seven years as Director of Strategic Development and Fundraising, most recently working on a global programme of events to mark RAD’s centenary year.