Preston College Announces New Principal and Chief Executive

Preston College is delighted to announce the appointment of Kate Wallace as its new Principal and Chief Executive. Kate will take up her post in late August.

Kate joins Preston College from Burnley College, where she is currently Deputy Principal. In this role, Kate has played a key part in shaping strategy, building a solid internal culture, strengthening partnerships with employers and the wider community, and driving a culture of continuous improvement across the organisation.

Kate served as Interim Principal during 2025 and into early 2026, providing stable, open and transparent leadership through a period of transition and contributing to the College’s continued progress.

Kate brings a breadth of senior leadership experience across further education. At Burnley College, she held the role of Assistant Principal prior to her promotion to Deputy Principal. Before this, she held a number of senior positions within the sector, including Group Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement, where she led large-scale provision and developed strong employer partnerships to support skills delivery and workforce development.

With support from Peridot Partners, a recruitment process for a new Principal and Chief Executive took place earlier this year. 

Jose Sedano -Martinez, Chair of the Board, says; “The Governing Body is delighted to appoint Kate Wallace as the next Principal and Chief Executive of Preston College. Kate brings a wealth of experience, a proven track record of leadership within further education, and a genuine commitment to delivering outstanding outcomes for students, apprentices, employers and the wider community.

“Throughout the selection process, Kate demonstrated a clear vision for the future of the College, alongside the collaborative leadership style and strategic ambition that will enable Preston College to continue to thrive. We are confident she will build on the College’s many strengths, working closely with our dedicated staff, partners and stakeholders to deliver exceptional opportunities for learners and support the skills needs of our region.

“On behalf of the Governing Board, I am delighted to welcome Kate to Preston College and look forward to working with her as we embark on this exciting new chapter for the College.”

Simon Nixon will retire as Principal and Chief Executive of Preston College in August 2026.  Simon joined the College as Executive Director of Resources in 2015 and was appointed Principal and Chief Executive in 2023 after a year as interim.

Jose adds; “Under Simon’s leadership Preston College has developed into a place with a strong identity and sense of its worth in the community. Simon’s leadership and, above all, his profound dedication to serving everyone, students, staff and governors, at Preston College have made sure that the College is now in an excellent position to continue moving forward with confidence. The Board wishes to express their most sincere gratitude and recognition.”

The Board is confident that Kate will provide strong leadership, leading the College on its continuing journey of ambition, innovation and impact. In Kate’s own words, she is “excited to join the team and contribute to continue building on the incredible work already taking place at Preston College”.