A new CEO has taken the helm at a leading Midlands college group.

Sara-Jane Watkins has taken charge at Warwickshire College Group (WCG) and has shared her main priorities for the group, which include creating nurturing learning environments, increasing employer engagement, and meeting the skills needs of the local economy.

WCG consists of six colleges across Warwickshire and Worcestershire, including Royal Leamington Spa College, Rugby College, Warwick Trident College, Moreton Morrell College, Pershore College, and Evesham New College.

Ms Watkins previously held the position of College Principal at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS) since 2015 and was also deputy chief executive of the SGS group.

She said: "We have an incredible team of positive and passionate people across the college group who are dedicated, compassionate and really do care about delivering the best possible experience for learners.

"Their skills and positive attitude will underpin everything we are aiming to achieve at the college group over the coming years."

"Moving forward, we want staff to have the freedom to innovate and continue delivering a first-class service to students."

She added: “This is a college group of great diversity and significant strengths, from our large international department, strong employer engagement and ambitious degree provision, to excellent specialist facilities, provision for learners with high needs and our work in responding to the regional skills agenda.

“Local skills needs are an area we will continue to place great importance on, and we will be positively embracing new opportunities that provide learning routes that are aligned to the needs of employers."

She concluded: "It is essential we are seen as the first port of call for employers seeking their workforce, but also an anchor institution which provides resources for the communities in which we are based."

In addition to her immediate priorities, Ms Watkins has long-term plans for the group.

These include directly recruiting 14 to 16-year-olds, transforming Pershore College into an international destination for students interested in sustainability, and developing sports academies at college sites.

She said: "We are aiming to make our offer as inclusive as it can be, with one method being to expand our range of entry-level and Level 1 courses."