Colleges welcome new Chief Executive
19th February 2008
New AoC Chief Executive Appointed
Martin Doel has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges.
Martin, 51, Director of Training and Education at the Ministry of Defence, is currently responsible for training and education policy and strategy across all three armed forces.
He said: “I am delighted to accept this post, which offers a unique opportunity to work with a sector making a huge contribution to the skills of individuals, employers and the nation. The need to make a persuasive case for FE is as pressing as ever and AoC must continue to be at the centre of that debate, ensuring its members’ views are heard.
“I am passionate about education and its ability to transform lives – something I’ve seen first hand with young people in the armed forces.”
Please see below for full biography.
John Bingham, Chair of the AoC Board, said: “In Martin the Association has appointed an outstanding leader and manager with extensive experience in strategy and policy up to the highest levels of Government. He is someone who can work with and on behalf of members to drive the sector’s agenda forward and shape a strong future for further education.
“AoC will continue to work hard to ensure that colleges engage with Government, business and other agencies to inform and shape future policy and practice. This appointment builds on the strong foundation of ongoing successful AoC work.”
David Collins, AoC President, said: “I am very pleased that Martin has been appointed, and I look forward to working alongside him to champion and promote colleges as key to the development of people, skills and knowledge for the nation.”
Martin is expected to take up the post by late spring.
Martin Doel Biography
Air Commodore Martin Doel OBE is currently responsible for training and development for all three of the Armed Forces and for civilian staff across the £36billion Ministry of Defence (MoD). Key accountabilities in this post include cross-Government liaison and project management of an MoD £55million e-learning system.
Martin’s extensive experience in education and skills includes the development of a skills strategy across the MoD in response to the Leitch report and close liaison with DIUS on education initiatives for service personnel (and DCSF in the development of policy relating to under-18s). The Armed Forces are the largest single provider of apprenticeships in the UK.
Martin has previously been responsible at Board level for developing HR and training strategy for the Royal Air Force’s 45,000-strong workforce, and for delivering training in leadership and management to officers of all 3 UK services and to those from 47 other nations. As a station commander he was responsible for merging three formerly separate bases and supporting over 6000 personnel involved in logistics, flying training and operational support. During this tour he also completed the Elementary Flying Training Course. Prior to this he held a range of HR, training and intelligence appointments, having first joined the RAF in 1980.
Martin studied at Totton Grammar School and Sixth Form College (now Totton College - an AoC member), King Alfred’s College (now the University of Winchester) where he obtained a first class honours degree, and Kings College London - where he obtained his Masters Degree.
Martin and his wife Angela, who works as a secretary at Papworth Hospital, have two sons: Matthew who is in his final year at University, and Andrew who is studying for his A-levels. His interests include international affairs, military history and modern art. An active sportsman, he has for many years played soccer and a range of other sports, albeit to an ‘increasingly poor standard’; he now concentrates upon encouraging others as a FA qualified coach and as Chairman of the RAF Football Association.
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