Meet the new chief executive of Sussex’s largest college group

Andrew Green introduces himself and reflects on the important role Chichester College Group (CCG) can play in supporting Gatwick Diamond businesses in their post-pandemic recovery.

I’m honoured and privileged to have taken on the mantle as chief executive of CCG – which covers five colleges (Crawley, Brinsbury, Chichester, Haywards Heath and Worthing) as well as an extensive portfolio of commercial businesses, First Steps nurseries and international students.

With a turnover of £70million, we’re serving the needs of around 20,000 students, including adult learners and apprentices.

I’ve served as deputy chief executive at the organisation for the last 11 years, so I know and understand our market and customers, including our Gatwick Diamond businesses, very well.

I graduated from Nottingham University with a chemistry degree, and went into retail management via a graduate trainee scheme. I retrained as a teacher in 1996 – starting at what was then Brighton College of Technology (now GB Met).

Although I enjoyed my retail career, when I started working for a college I found my passion. Further Education colleges do more than provide qualifications – they offer opportunities that change people’s lives, and people of all ages, backgrounds and academic ability. That’s what matters to me.

I joined Chichester College as deputy principal after 10 years in Brighton, leading the college to Ofsted outstanding in 2014 and in 2020 – this time as a group of multiple colleges.

But I’m not just an educator. I’ve built and run my own businesses, so I understand the pressures facing employers. I bought Brighton Film School in 2011, taking it to a business with a £1.1million turnover before I sold it. I own a property company and, with my wife, set up a boutique lingerie shop in Chichester which is thriving (www.smittenl2l.co.uk).

The days of having ‘careers for life’ are, generally speaking, a thing of the past. It’s important that we, as a college group, provide people with transferrable skills that will enable them to grow

That’s why my educational ethos is based on developing the skills and confidence of our student. The qualification is important, of course, but it just important to see them develop in themselves, ensuring they can go on to achieve their ambitions.

The days of having ‘careers for life’ are, generally speaking, a thing of the past. It’s important that we, as a college group, provide people with transferrable skills that will enable them to grow.

Colleges are placed at the heart of the communities, and the UK needs our colleges more than ever before. We have to come together to help our young people and adults to train or retrain to meet our skills gaps, rebuild our economy and our communities.

I’m looking forward to working with all Gatwick Diamond members to help develop your business, find you the talent of the future and to engage with you as we inspire young people and help them find their path, their future.

www.chichestercollegegroup.ac.uk