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Principal Wins Business Award

22 November 2004

Ann Smith, Principal of City College Brighton and Hove, has won the Sussex Businesswoman of the Year Award, sponsored by Southern FM. Having taken over leadership of the College in 2000, Ann has almost doubled the intake of students. The judges praised Ann for her vision and active role in the community.

Ann says: 'Such accolades are a tribute to the hard work, dedication and tremendous team work that all staff have contributed through the recent development and successes of City College. It is a boost for the Further Education Sector as we move towards Action for Business Colleges Accreditation'

Bob Hoad, Community Relations Director, Capital FM Network, presents Ann Smith with h

Bob Hoad, Community Relations Director, Capital FM Network, presents Ann Smith with h

World-class companies headed the list of winners announced by ITN's Nicholas Owen to an audience of over 500 business and civic leaders at a glittering ceremony at the Copthorne Effingham Park, Gatwick on November 18th.

Winners were chosen by a high-powered panel of judges headed by prominent Sussex businessman Malcolm Diamond. The awards have the support of Meridian Broadcasting and Copthorne Effingham Park Hotel and Resort.

For further information, please call Brian Bell, Marketing Communications Officer, on 01273 667788 Ext. 488 or email bb1@ccb.ac.uk

Notes to Editors:

Ann Smith background information:

When Ann Smith took over at City College Brighton and Hove four years ago, it had a budget of £11 million and about 8,000 students. This year's budget is £17 million and the student cohort will be 15,000 - growth achieved through graft and no little guile.

The Principal and Chief Executive of the College is the best possible advert for further education, having worked her way to the top through training. Her first job was as secretary to the clerk of the National Health Service for Warwickshire and Solihull, where she made good use of her 140 words per minute shorthand. She left the job to bring up to her children and then decided she wanted to put her brain to good use and become a teacher.

She did a typing tutor course two evenings a week for two years followed by similar shorthand teaching course and a word processor teaching certificate. These were basic qualifications to get into further education teaching and she landed her first post at Mid Warwickshire College before moving to North Warwickshire College in 1982.

She stayed there until 1991, working her way up to head a department of 50 full time staff. Completing a degree gave her the chance to move higher up the education system and, having set up a successful business development unit at North Warwickshire College, she started applying for Assistant and Deputy Principal jobs. In 1991, Ann joined the then Brighton College of Technology as Assistant Principal. Two years later she became Deputy Principal, a job she held until July 2000 when she became acting Principal. She was confirmed as Principal in November 2000. Her vision is to expand the College, especially the number of 16 to 18 year old students.

She said: 'A key area is to help people in that age group change their lives ? to help people who don't want to go into higher education but want to make something of themselves. We're getting more applications all the time and are starting to contribute to the Brighton and Hove economy by getting these people skilled'

What is Action for Business Colleges (ABC)?

Action for Business Colleges is an accreditation process and is part of the Workforce Skills Programme. It is supported by the Sussex Learning and Skills Council (SLSC) and the South-East England Development Agency (Seeda).

The ABC accreditation process will help colleges to improve their capacity to identify and meet the needs of employers. It recognises the work that colleges have already done in becoming more responsible to employers' training needs.

Quality South East (QSE) will oversee the assessment and accreditation process and conduct assessments.

The Action for Business Colleges kite mark will be awarded to demonstrate they are meeting the workforce development needs of employers through gaining accreditation.