Stoke on Trent College welcomes new CEO and Principal

Stoke on Trent College has announced the appointment of a new CEO and Principal.

Lisa Capper MBE will join the College on January 25, from Nacro – the social justice and education charity – where she worked as Principal and Director of Education leading its national Further Education Programme.

“I am looking forward to leading Stoke on Trent College through the next phase of its journey to help even more young people, adults and employers alike to achieve their skills ambitions and to develop their careers,” said Lisa.

“The College has a vital role to play in helping to build the skills and expertise the City region needs. We want to be an excellent partner to commissioners, employers and other education providers to achieve even more opportunity for the people living in and around the City and towns of Stoke on Trent.

She added, “I hope that I can use my skills and experience from elsewhere, build on the current achievements, and support the team in achieving its ambition, and that of the City.

“I am really looking forward to getting to know the committed staff team, our learners and partners, and all that we will collectively achieve together.”

Bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and experience from the further education and skills sector, Lisa is passionate about the transformational power of education. Prior to joining Nacro, she was Vice Principal Schools of North Warks and Hinckley College and Director of an Academies Trust.

Previously, Lisa joined the senior civil service as a specialist in Further Education at the Department for Education to work on the Adult Literacy and Numeracy Skills for Life initiative and stayed to develop the Commission on Adult Vocational Education, National Skills Academies and led the prestigious WorldSkills London 2011 for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (DBIS), for which she won the Permanent Secretary’s award.

She is an Independent Governor of De Montfort University and until recently the Chair of the National Deaf Children’s Society. In January 2021 she was awarded the MBE for Services to Young People.

Jeremy Cartwright, Chair of the Stoke on Trent College Corporation Board, said, “I am delighted that Lisa is joining Stoke on Trent College. There are both challenges and opportunities in Further Education at the moment, and in the City region, and we know Lisa will bring her significant and unique knowledge, skills and experience to help us make the most of these to benefit Stoke on Trent.”

“Lisa is committed to working closely with the staff team and build on the College’s successes and will lead the delivery of the College’s strategic plan “Strength to Strength” with our partners and promote our core College values.”

Lisa will replace outgoing Stoke on Trent College Principal Denise Brown, who is moving onto a new senior leadership role.