Jamie Purser Appointed as New Principal/CEO to Lead Newham College London
Newham College London is delighted to announce the appointment of Jamie Purser as its new Principal/CEO, effective from 1st January 2025. This follows the decision of current Principal/CEO, Paul Stephen, to retire on 31st December 2024.
To ensure a seamless transition, the governing body initiated a thorough recruitment process to identify the right successor. The process involved a panel of key stakeholders, including representatives from the governing body, staff, students, and both local and central government. After a rigorous selection process, the governing body unanimously chose Jamie Purser for the role.
Jamie brings over 20 years of leadership experience in the Further Education (FE) sector and has been Deputy Principal/CEO at Newham College for the past four years. He has been instrumental in positioning the college as consistently being one of the highest performing FE institutions in London in terms of achievement rates since 2018.
Paul Jackson, Chair of Governors, remarked, “Jamie’s appointment is a testament to our commitment to developing talent from within. Under Paul Stephen’s leadership, the college has not only achieved great success for our students but also created opportunities for staff progression. Jamie exemplifies this journey, and his unanimous appointment reflects his outstanding leadership and contribution to our continued growth.”
Jamie has also been serving as Acting Principal at NewVIc Sixth Form College as it prepares for its potential merger with Newham College. Set for November 2024, this merger aims to create the most comprehensive and inclusive post-16 education offer for Newham and surrounding areas.
Paul Stephen, outgoing Principal/CEO, said, “Having worked closely with Jamie, I have seen firsthand his capabilities as a leader. He has the vision, skills, experience and to accelerate the College’s positive trajectory and I fully support the governing body’s decision to appoint Jamie on his own merits.”
Jamie Purser said, “I am pleased and very proud to be appointed as the next Principal and CEO of Newham College. It’s a privilege to lead an institution that has such a transformative educational impact. I look forward to embracing new opportunities, continuing the college’s traditions of excellence, aspiration and inclusion, and remaining at the heart of the communities we serve, supporting them to thrive and succeed.”