“The best boss in Britain” - and she is from further education. That was the accolade bestowed yesterday (Thursday) on Ros Micklem, principal of Cardonald College in Glasgow.
It was announced she had beaten hundreds of high-quality entries from throughout the UK to be declared best boss in a competition run by Lloyds TSB and the Working Families charity.
Its aim is to promote a work-life balance and Cardonald is praised for its efforts. Ms Micklem’s managerial style is said to be time-consuming but it has reaped results. A statement from the competition organisers states:
“Staff turnover and absenteeism is low, the college has received an excellent HMI report, teacher-student relations are strong and a healthy approach to mind and body is evident throughout the college.”
The college has a health day once a year, when employees can experience a range of activities from yoga to workshops on positive thinking. Cardonald endorses healthy lifestyles, it has introduced paid parental and emergency leave - and Ms Micklem is said to enjoy “excellent relationships” with the trade unions.
The principal said: “If my employees are happy and working well, then the students are getting the most from their learning and, at the end of the day, that’s why we’re here.”
Ms Micklem is the first winner from Scotland and the first to work in education.
