NESCol appoints new principal

October 14, 2019

Neil will commence the role in late December when he will take over from current Principal Liz McIntyre, who announced her retirement earlier this year.

Neil began working as a Lecturer at Banff and Buchan College in 1999 and over the following 13 years held a variety of roles from School Liaison to Assistant Principal. Following the merger of Aberdeen and Banff & Buchan Colleges in 2013, he was appointed as Vice Principal.  Since then his role has evolved and broadened considerably giving him extensive experience across, and responsibilities for, a wide variety of College functions.

Ken Milroy, Regional Chair said, “Neil has demonstrated his commitment and passion to both the region and the critical role NESCol undertakes in providing individuals, businesses and communities with 21st century skills.

“His public service roles to date, in social housing and the college sector, have enabled Neil to gain valuable knowledge and experience in matters relating to partnership working, curriculum development, support services, and quality assurance and improvement.

“Neil has led on a variety of successful projects at NESCol including the review and restructuring of organisational and student support services and the strengthening of the College’s approaches to stakeholder engagement and business development.  He is also a long-standing Education Scotland Associate Assessor and a member of several national and regional forums.

“Neil’s appointment will ensure that NESCol continues to build upon its current strengths, seeking opportunities to improve the choices of regional learners while helping to address the region’s social and economic challenges.

“I am very much looking forward to Neil taking up his new role with us and both Liz and I will work with him to ensure a smooth handover before she heads off for her well-earned retirement”.

Neil Cowie said, “It is both a privilege and delight to be given this opportunity.  I look forward to continuing my work with the College’s Regional Board, Leadership Team, staff and Students’ Association as we, together, build on the considerable success we have created and shared thus far.  My sincere thanks must go to our current Principal Liz McIntyre for the leadership and direction she has given to us all during her time at North East Scotland College. She leaves us in a great shape and I wish her a long, happy and well-deserved retirement.

“Both the College and I are committed fully to contributing to the success of the region’s economy and I look forward to developing further our already great relationships with local schools, employers and partners. In doing so, I am confident that we can all deliver, through purposeful and impactful collaboration, even greater opportunities, experiences and outcomes for those living, learning and working in the North East.”