News of the date leaked out this week after lengthy talks between the Association for Colleges and the Colleges’ Employers’ Forum moved into top gear.

Elections for the board of the new merged organisation, which will appoint a chief executive, are scheduled for June. Speculation is now rife over who will win the top post, with AFC chief Ruth Gee and CEF boss Roger Ward still the only candidates known to be in the running.

CEF board chairman Keith Scribbins could face a choice between running for election to the new board or applying for the top job himself.

As The TES went to press, insiders were cautious over tipping either of the two known contenders, suggesting an outsider unsullied by past rivalries was likeliest to get the top job.