New Higher Education Manager to start drive for new University Centre funding

Press release issued: 19 October 2007



Image of Alan Renwick, new HE Manager for King's Lynn
Click on image for a larger version
The College of West Anglia and Anglia Ruskin University announced today the appointment of Alan Renwick as Manager of the new Higher Education expansion project in King's Lynn, which will focus on the establishment of a new University Centre for the region.

Alan has an excellent track record in developing Higher Education at The College of West Anglia Norfolk, where he has worked for over 30 years. In his most recent post, as Head of Higher Education, he has been involved in:
  • strategic course degree development
  • nurturing and growing business partnerships
  • understanding the needs of the local community.
In his new role, Alan will spearhead the drive for funding for the new multi-million University Centre to be built at the new site of The College of West Anglia which will serve the West Norfolk and Fenland areas. He will oversee the bidding for funds from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and the sourcing of local investment from businesses and personal investors from the region. Through liaising with the regional business community he will ensure that the type of provision offered meets the needs of the local economy.

He will put particular emphasis on Quality Assurance, recognising that this is essential to ensure the reputation of the University Centre in bringing new students for the future.

This historic collaborative agreement between Anglia Ruskin University and The College of West Anglia heralds the start of building a new university infrastructure for King's Lynn and the surrounding area. The College of West Anglia is one of the largest general further education colleges in the Eastern Region and with campuses in King's Lynn, Wisbech and Milton, it serves as a catchment area covering the counties of Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and parts of Suffolk and Lincolnshire.

As part of this ambitious plan for growth, The College of West Anglia is building new campuses in March (planned completion June 2009) and King's Lynn (planned for completion June 2010) at an estimated cost of over £100m.
The College of West Anglia's Principal David Pomfret said:

"This new appointment will help to facilitate our development of a state-of-the-art University Centre in King's Lynn. We have had much positive feedback from key stakeholders for this new provision of higher education for the area and we now need everyone to get behind it and support us to bring the project to fruition."

With over three decades of experience of further and higher education, Alan is keen to get all the necessary elements in place to drive the collaborative project.
He said:

"The College of West Anglia has always had a long term commitment to higher education and now we are going to reveal that it is actually possible to achieve, in terms of flexible learning for the people of West Norfolk and Fenland.

"Higher education is for everyone. People can now study close to home if the provision is there and for those living in the West Norfolk and Fenland area things have just got a whole lot easier. Many of our students are mature and want to work at their education around their family. This is now entirely possible.

"An improved skills base will help individuals and the economy alike. The future is looking very bright indeed."

Alan Renwick took up his appointment, based at The College of West Anglia, in October.
Bookmark this page with: