The chair of Edinburgh College, Sir Ian Diamond, is to chair a commission looking at the college of the future, Association of Colleges chief executive David Hughes has revealed.

Speaking at the launch of the Four Nations College Blueprint for a Post-Brexit Economy yesterday, Mr Hughes said the FE sector across the UK had been subject to a range of commissions in the past, and this commission, set up by the sector itself, would “give colleges some power back”.

The future of further education

Commissioners, chaired by Professor Diamond, will receive the support of the entire sector, and will be asked to consider what a college should look like in the “mid-2020s”. The commission will meet for the first time in March, when it will be formally launched, according to Mr Hughes. While some commissioners have been appointed, the list is yet to be finalised.

Professor Diamond took on the role as chair of Edinburgh College last year. Until 31 July 2018, he was principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Aberdeen. He is also author of the Diamond Review of HE funding and student finance in Wales, published in 2016. Also on the commission is BBC TV presenter Steph McGovern, an outspoken supporter of further education.