David Byrne, Principal and Chief Executive, Southgate College.

David began his career with the London Borough of Enfield in 1980 and spent eleven years working in various roles within the Education Department rising to the post of Chief Administrative Officer with a particular portfolio of overseeing the development of administrative and finance structures for the Schemes of Delegation for FE Colleges and the Transfer of Assets when Colleges were removed from local Authority control in 1992.

In 1991 he was appointed Company Secretary to Capel Manor College where he led the incorporation process, property transfer and establishment of the College’s “visitor attraction” infrastructure.

In 1998 he was appointed Vice Principal Resources at Southgate College, a position he maintained until 2006. During this time he had corporate responsibilities for financial planning and accommodation strategies, finance and corporate governance as well as the development of the College as a Centre of Excellence in CISCO IT networking, spending a period of time in San Francisco at CISCO HQ.

In 2006 he was appointed as Chief Operating Officer at Oaklands College, Hertfordshire where he implemented the college’s transformation agenda supporting the CEO in the re-organisation and development of new working practices. During this period he spent time in the state of New York observing different Community College structures and business engagement strategies.

In 2009 he was appointed CEO at Southgate College and is presently transforming the College from a traditional FE delivery model into a business centric training provider. Strategic developments include innovative business partnerships with leading brands such Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, Harrods and the Morelli Group, as well new commercial opportunities in advanced manufacturing techniques (Mechatronics) and automotive paint technologies.

David is Director to a range of strategic groups within Enfield including the Enfield Business Partnership, LEA Executive Group and LSP. He has also sat on numerous external groups including the AoC Audit Committee and Canfields’ Round Table Group for performance management. He also serves as Board member for a local primary school and external adviser to the Local Authority’s Scrutiny panel for Education and Young People.