Exeter College Principal, Richard Atkins, has announced that he is to retire from his post at the end of 2015.

Mr Atkins joined the college in 2002 and since that time has overseen significant growth in student numbers, improvements in educational standards and investments of over £60m in new buildings and facilities for students. In recent years the College has achieved a series of national successes, including two visits by Ofsted which judged the college as outstanding, winning the Times Educational Supplement Further Education Provider of the Year title in 2012 and the Outstanding BTEC School/College of the Year 2014.

Mr Atkins said:

I have thoroughly enjoyed my 14 years as Principal of Exeter College, it has been a real privilege to hold this post at one of England’s leading colleges. I have been fortunate enough to work with many wonderful students, great staff and supporting governors, which has made the job a real pleasure. Exeter is a great city to work in and the college has benefitted from many strong partnerships with local schools, employers, the University of Exeter and the City and County Councils.

I shall miss the College a lot when I go, but it will be business as usual until December.

Mr Atkins has spent more than 35 years working in Further Education and schools as a teacher, lecturer and manager and, before joining Exeter College, was previously Principal at Yeovil College for seven years. He is also currently the President of the national Association of Colleges, representing England's 330 FE and Sixth Form Colleges nationally and internationally.

The Governors of the College, led by the Chair Philip Bostock, will now begin the recruitment process to appoint a new Principal.