Paddy Bradley MBE, a respected business leader and former Chief Executive of the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership, has been appointed as the new Chair of Governors at Wiltshire College & University Centre (WCUC). His appointment comes at a time of significant development within the college, which has campuses in Chippenham, Lackham, Salisbury, and Trowbridge.
Bradley, who has extensive experience in both the business and education sectors, expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity, saying it is an exciting time to join the institution. “I’m really excited because there is so much going on, including the new Wiltshire Business School and investment in agricultural technology at Lackham, the exciting healthcare zone at Salisbury, Tech Trowbridge’s fantastic opportunities, and a lot more in the pipeline,” he said.
Iain Hatt, Principal and CEO of WCUC, welcomed Bradley’s appointment, highlighting the college’s previous successful chairs and the value of Bradley’s strategic vision. “We have been fortunate with a succession of great chairs, and I am delighted that we now have someone with Paddy’s experience and knowledge of the business and education landscape to continue that work,” Hatt said. “His years at the helm of the local enterprise partnership and his strategic vision will be a tremendous asset to WCUC as we build on the momentum here and continue to deliver on our strategic plan.”
Bradley, who is also the Chief Executive of the TransWilts Community Rail Partnership and a trustee of the charity Alabare´, sees the college as an integral player in Wiltshire’s economic landscape. “It’s a key player, and the work it does has an impact on thousands of people every year, not just the students but also their families,” he said. “It helps them get on a track towards a qualification and potentially into a line of work – and what a great start that is for them.”
As Chair, Bradley is committed to strengthening ties between the college and local businesses. “We are absolutely committed to supporting the economic development of Wiltshire,” he explained. “We offer excellent, highly professional and flexible training for businesses. We can ensure staff become more skilled, which is what helps businesses grow, and we can do it in a way that enables them to study while they work, which benefits both learners and employers.”
He emphasised that the college would continue engaging with businesses to ensure that its training and development opportunities align with the region’s evolving needs. “We will continue to engage with businesses to increase our understanding of the skills that are needed in the Wiltshire area, now and in the future,” he added.
Bradley was awarded his MBE in 2023 for his services to Wiltshire’s community and economy. His leadership at WCUC is expected to help steer the institution towards further success as it continues to play a key role in shaping the future of education and economic development in Wiltshire.
For more information on learning opportunities at Wiltshire College & University Centre, visit www.wiltshire.ac.uk.