THE executive principal of a college near York has announced she is to retire on Wednesday.

Liz Philip was deputy principal at Selby College before becoming principal at Askham Bryan College in 2007, since when student numbers have tripled. She later became executive principal.

A spokeswoman said that over those years, the college’s original four centres had increased to 12, stretching across the north.

At the York campus, 320 acres of farmland had been bought and a proposed £34 million campus development project was underway which included a new Wildlife and Conservation Centre, the Agri-Tech Centre and a point to point course.

Anthony Alton, chair of governors said: “Liz’s contribution to the college and to agriculture regionally and nationally cannot be under estimated.

York Press:

“Her career in education spans three and a half decades during which time she has influenced and shaped careers of thousands of young people and most particularly those in the farming and rural sector.

“Askham Bryan College has never been stronger in terms of its reputation, its infrastructure and its finances.

“Going forward, the college executive, chaired by deputy principal Jane Tupper, will be responsible for the day to day running of the college.”

Mrs Philip said: “Retiring is not a decision I have come to lightly, far from it, but I know that Askham Bryan will continue to go from strength to strength, encouraging and enabling young people to be the best they can be and being a positive force within the industry.”

She said that after tomorrow, she planned to focus on the small holding she and her husband owned near Pocklington.