Embattled Hull College chief steps down in wake of damning report

The chief executive of a Yorkshire College that is a battling a £10m deficit has quit his post two weeks after angry union leaders called for his resignation.
Gary Warke.Gary Warke.
Gary Warke.

Last month a damning report exposed ongoing problems at Hull College and brought to light the true extent of its debt.

The University and College Union (UCU) made repeated calls for the chief executive, Gary Warke, to stand down, but the college remained tight-lipped over his fate.

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However, in a statement issued by the college today, chair of governors Pat Tomlinson confirmed that Mr Warke had decided to leave to “explore new career opportunities”.

She said: “This coincides with a point where the Area Based Review process is virtually complete and the group embarks on a new strategic plan.

“The corporation would like to thank Gary for his service to the college and commitment to further education and wish him every success. In turn, Gary wishes the college well for the future.”

Ms Tomlinson said the deputy chief executive, Michelle Swithenbank, would “lead the college forward” alongside its Strategic Leadership Team, to develop and deliver the new plans.

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Mr Warke’s resignation comes in the wake of the Further Education Commissioner’s report, which exposed a £10m deficit over four years.

UCU regional official Julie Kelley said: “The recent report made it quite clear that Mr Warke’s position was no longer tenable and the fact it took him and the college a full fortnight to realise that is symptomatic of the leadership problems the college has suffered.

“Staff and students at Hull College need a new management team in post prepared to put the educational needs of local people first.

“A good college is one that offers a varied curriculum and we hope that Hull College will now reassess its primary function and focus on supporting staff to deliver education to students.”

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The FE Commissioner’s report also revealed that a further deficit of over £1m is forecast for the current financial year.

It comes after the college’s financial management was rated as “inadequate” by the Skills Funding Agency last November.

The FE Commissioner said the college, which has three main centres, in Hull, Goole and Harrogate, lacked “strategic vision and strong leadership”, which was “frustrating and demotivating for staff”.

The report also stated the college had “placed a strain on its cash resources” and needed “a significant level” of financial help from the government.

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“The college’s financial strategy has largely been to make year-on-year cuts to staffing levels and to secure capital receipts from asset sales,” it said.

“Despite a number of years of staff cuts... the college’s staff costs are high, at around 78 per cent of income for 2015/16 and a forecast 72 per cent for 2016/17.

“This level of cost is unaffordable for the college.”

Around 18,000 students currently attend Hull College and there are 1,000 staff.

Last May, The Yorkshire Post revealed Mr Warke had been accused of “bullying” after ticking off an MP for supporting striking workers.

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Hull East MP Karl Turner joined “angry and demoralised” Hull College workers on the picket in a row over pay and a controversial new lesson observation system.

He subsequently called for an investigation into Mr Warke, after he was allegedly sent a “threatening and derogatory” letter. Mr Warke declined to comment.

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