The Board of the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) has appointed Dr David Collins to join the organisation as Chief Executive on a full time basis from 1 August 2009 for a one year period until the 1 August 2010.

David is currently President of the Association of Colleges (AoC) and outgoing Principal of South Cheshire College. 

Dame Ruth Silver Chair of LSIS Board said, “David is someone steeped in current professional practice, with a track record in delivering excellent learning and skills provision. He also has strong academic credentials in improving quality and has written on leadership and management in further education. So he is exactly the right person to lead LSIS into its next phase of development, ensuring it becomes an integral part of the sector and taking every opportunity to move closer to it.”

Dr David Collins said, “The excellent work of the predecessor organisations and the completion of the complex merger provide strong foundations to build on. I look forward to working with the staff and board. It is a very exciting time for LSIS as it furthers its unique role as a sector-owned improvement service.”

Mindful of balance and in order to ensure that LSIS reflects the diversity of the sector, the LSIS Board are very grateful that Graham Hoyle, Chief Executive of the Association of Learning Providers (ALP), who has, until now, been the co-chair of the LSIS Council with Dame Ruth, has agreed to become sole Chair from 1 August 2009. Dame Ruth Silver will remain as Chair of the LSIS Board.

Read Dr David Collins' biography here