BCA welcomes new principal and chief executive

A new principal and chief executive has been appointed at Berkshire College of Agriculture in Burchetts Green.

Gillian May, after two successful years as vice principal at the college in Hall Place, will begin her new position at the beginning of September.

It follows the announcement that principal Bill Grady OBE would be leaving at the end of the academic year.

The 45-year-old, who has lived in Maidenhead since she graduated from The University of Southampton in 1989, was the former assistant headteacher at Newlands Girls' School in Farm Road.

Before working in education, Mrs May worked as a chartered accountant handling multi-million pound deals for companies including Pepsico and Arthur Andersen.

Chairman of the college’s board John Wilder has commented on the fierce competition for the job.

He added: "As a BCA vice principal Mrs May has clearly demonstrated to us that she shares our vision for the college.

"She has the expertise and determination to deliver a college which has a reputation for high quality teaching and learning and is at the heart of the education and business communities, and beyond."

Mrs May, who lives with her husband and two teenage children, said she is looking forward to working in close partnership with other education leaders and forming stronger links with local businesses and authorities.

She added: "I want BCA to be a key part of future economic development, particularly in terms of the quality of teaching and learning available to young people, adults and businesses."

Mrs May is one of only four females in the UK to head up a land-based college.

The student intake at BCA grew by 15 per cent in 2012 and 3013 and expects to grow by a further 10 per cent in the next academic year.