FAREWELL
TO JOHN MOWBRAY
The time has now come for us to say farewell to John Mowbray, the
Association’s first full-time General Secretary, as he retires
from ACM.
John has worked tirelessly for the Association since 1992 and many
members will have fond memories of him both on a professional and
personal level. John has made many friends over the years through
ACM and, as he has said many times before, he felt very privileged
to have been the General Secretary of such a quality organisation.
We are extremely grateful to John for his hard work and dedication
throughout his nine years with ACM. The Association would not be where
it is today if it had not been for John’s enthusiasm and commitment
in driving forward the vision and values of ACM and its members.
On behalf of council, the members and staff at ACM, we wish John all
the very best for a long and happy retirement.
ACM seeks national recognition for LEA employed
adult education managers
Discussions are underway for ACM to be recognised at national level
for LEA employed adult education managers. Peter Pendle, ACM’s
Chief Executive and General Secretary, recently met with Councillor
Graham Lane, Chair of the Local Government Association’s (LGA)
Education Committee. Responsibility for employee relations and negotiations
in local government rests with the Local Government Management Board
(LGMB). Councillor Lane, who supports the ACM’s bid for recognition,
also Chairs the LGMB Committee responsible for negotiating with local
authority education employees, including teachers. A formal submission
has been made to the LGMB and developments will be reported in the
next newsletter.
John Rockett ACM President 2001/02
John Rockett is Principal & Chief Executive of Rotherham
College of Arts and Technology and is known nationally for his work
in CMIS. He was elected Chairman for two successive terms of office
of the National CMIS Board (College Management Information Systems).
This was the only national organisation solely for users and practitioners
of computerised MIS in colleges, and subsequently amalgamated with NAITFE
(National Association for IT in FE) to form NILTA (National Information
and Learning Technology Association). John currently serves on the NILTA
Executive Council, F&GP Committee, and Chairs the CMIS Operations
Committee. He has also served on several FEFC committees surrounding
CMIS.
John originally came to this country on an Overseas Study programme
from Boston University to Leeds University. He was born in Fall River,
Massachusetts (just south of Boston). He won several academic prizes
while at high school and went on to attend Boston University where he
did a Liberal Arts degree majoring in Molecular Biology (higher degrees
were obtained in this country). It was necessary for John to work his
way through University and during this time he was employed at Pratt
and Whitney Jet Engines, and also Hamilton Standard Aircraft Corporation
as a heat-treater and later an assembler of lunar landers.
John went on to be a teacher in American High Schools (certificated
in 2 US States). He has nearly 30 years experience in British FE colleges.
He began work in Britain as a Scale 1 Lab Technician, having since occupied
every position between that and Principal.
John is a keen caver. He was in Cave Rescue until two years ago, and
is still the General Secretary of the White Rose Pothole Club. He is
a qualified blue-water sailor. He also plays several musical instruments
and works at this semi-professionally.
John notes that things have changed dramatically during his career in
FE, and believes that a high rate of change will characterise the foreseeable
future - the days of initiative overload, complex funding and central
government direct action are here to stay. There are no easy solutions
for FE, but the solidity of ACM and its deserved reputation for professionalism,
proactive thinking and leadership are one of the keys to the future
success of the whole post-16 sector.
With Peter Pendle, the new General Secretary, and the ACM Council, John
will be reviewing the role of ACM and formulating a new Strategic Plan
to take us forward in the much expanded sector and the LSC era.
The ACM – TES Debate
November 2001 will see the launch of a new service for
ACM members: the ACM – TES debate. ACM is organising a series of
debates, sponsored by the TES in which leading members of ACM will share
a platform with key figures from across the new Learning and Skills
sector to debate the issues critical to the success of lifelong learning
for all. The debates will be highly participative in style and delegates
will be invited to contribute views, comments and questions.
Our inaugural debate will be held in November. Reg Chapman OBE Principal
of Blackpool and the Fylde College will debate the Teaching Pay Initiative
with Paul Mackney NATFHE General Secretary. The session will be chaired
by Ian Nash, FE Editor TES. The date and location will be announced
shortly – look out for it on our website www.acm.uk.com Members
and non members are welcome.
ACM Seminars
Ken Pascoe, Director of Operations for the national Learning
and Skills Council will lead ACM’s October seminar. Ken is responsible
for Planning, Allocations, Support and Performance, and Statistics for
the LSC. The topic of Ken’s ACM seminar will be funding. The date
and location will be announced shortly – look out for it on our
website www.acm.uk.com.Other speakers lined up for ACM seminars and
debates include:
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Martin Lamb, Assistant Director Learning
Programmes Young People Learning and
Skills Council
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Philip Lloyd, Director of Finance
responsible for Finance Policy and Control,
Audit, Financial and Management
Accounting Learning and Skills Council
-
Ann Limb, Chief Executive UfI