A MAN with more than 20 years of experience in education and skills development has been appointed as chair of the board at Forth Valley College.

Dr Abhishek Agarwal brings a wealth of experience to the role, most recently serving as associate professor in strategy at Edinburgh Napier University where he leads the MBA and DBA degree programmes.

He was appointed to the college’s board of management by higher and further education minister Graeme Dey at the end of June and will be in place until the summer of 2028.

Dr Agarwal will work closely with the board and key stakeholders to strengthen current partnerships and forge new collaborations to hep shape the strategic direction of the college.

He said: “I am delighted to be taking up the position of chair of the Forth Valley College Board of Management.

“On my first day I visited the impressive Falkirk Campus and experienced a very welcoming environment and staff members with a great work ethic.

“I had a very productive meeting with Principal Kenny MacInnes and am really looking forward to working with him, his senior management team, all my new fellow board members and the Forth Valley Student Association, to continue the good work that has been done before and ensure we will be making learning work for the Forth Valley community in the future.”

Over the last decade, Dr Agarwal has cultivated a strong passion for effective governance with his roles encompassing a range of responsibilities.

He has served as non-executive director of Kirkgate Developments Limited, was a board member and chair of Grampian Housing Group while he was also a non-executive board member of Healthcare Improvement Scotland.

The college said his knowledge and expertise will be vital in a landscape of swiftly advancing technology and with changing expectations from both students and employers.

Kenny MacInnes, college principal, added: “Abhishek is an experienced leader with a proven background in education and impressive track record in strategy, governance, business models, circular economy, social housing, health care and sustainability transition.

“He is the ideal person to fill this important leadership role and drive Forth Valley College forward as we begin initiatives such as the development of our new Strategic Plan, the proposed Skills Transition Centre at our Falkirk Campus as part of the Falkirk Growth Deal, the Stirling Forthside Film Studios project, the Forth Green Port Development and the potential of new global partnerships, which are sure to open up new opportunities.”