K College boss quits: Bill Fearon leaves post
By kentsussex | Tuesday, October 09, 2012, 11:55
K College's principal Bill Fearon has resigned.
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Bill Fearon
He is said to have quit over the financial crisis which sees K College a staggering £16million in the red.
He resigned last night after a stormy governors meeting.
Mr Fearon, head of the Kent institution which has campuses in Tonbridge, Folkestone, Tunbridge Wells, Ashford and Dover, made the announcement in a letter to college staff this morning.
Mr Fearon's message read: "This note is to let you know that at the Board of Governors meeting last night I confirmed my resignation and will be leaving at the end of term.
"Earlier in September when the deficit increased to £9.6m I tendered my resignation and agreed to leave at the end of the academic year in July, but since then the situation has worsened and it is now in the best interest of the College if I go sooner to allow a replacement Principal to manage the senior leader team in the long term.
"I am obviously very sorry to be leaving under the present circumstances, but as the manager with ultimate responsibility for all that the College does and achieves, it is appropriate.
"I have been extremely proud to have been a Principal at West Kent and K College, not least due to the commitment and achievements of the staff in the ten years I have been in post.
"K College has done extremely well in its first two years in many respects, particularly with regard to student performance, and will go from strength to strength while the financial issues are resolved and beyond.
"I will be working 'full on' until the end of term with colleagues to ensure the New Year brings a stable position for a successful 2013.
"Thank you again for your support."
See our pictures below from a strike that happened outside the college's Tonbridge campus yesterday, where staff called for his resignation.
They are angry at planned mass job cuts.
The college is expected to make a statement later today.
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