The Chairman for Richmond College will be stepping down as the college has plans approved for the second phase of an £80m campus redevelopment.

The decision was made on March 16 and will see the next phase of construction taking place at the campus's STEM Centre.

It will be designed so that a “state of the art” environment can be provided for training in engineering, science, forensic sciences and robotics and a brand new Sports building to further develop the College’s sports programmes.

During the meeting the College Chairman, Nick Deeming, decided that with the second phase of the campus redevelopment agreed - it was the right time for him to step down.

He said: “I joined the College in September 2018 and since then I have led the Board with great passion and energy through some very challenging times.

"I have always been clear about the huge potential of the College.

"With the Structure and Prospects Appraisal underway, I feel it is time to make way for a Chair with the specific skills set and time needed to support the College through the process.

"I leave the College in a much stronger position including the completion of Phase 1 of the College’s new campus redevelopment, which opened at the end of February 2020 with the first intake of new students due in September 2020."

Mr Deeming will be replaced by Ian Valvona who started the post March 18.

Mr Valvona is a civil servant at the Department for Education with experience of qualifications and curriculum policy and delivery, 14-19 education reform and children’s social care.

He was also the last Chair of Kensington and Chelsea College before it merged last month with Morley College London creating London's largest adult education institute.