New Principle for Writtle College

Professor David Butcher took up the post of Writtle College Principal on Monday 2nd October, following the retirement of Professor Mike Alder, who had been Principal at the College for 20 years.

Professor Butcher has over 30 years experience in land-based education and was formerly Dean of the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences at Nottingham Trent University. He graduated from Hull University with an Honours degree in Geography, and has since gained a Postgraduate qualification in Geography and Environmental Science and a PhD, which he gained before lecturing at the University of Huddersfield.

Professor Butcher's extensive career also includes contributions to various books and journals, as well as consultancy positions in key environmental research projects.

Professor Butcher said: "I am delighted to take up the post of Principal at Writtle College and I look forward to being part of its continued success."

Writtle College
Chelmsford Essex CM1 3RR
www.writtle.ac.uk

WRITTLE COLLEGE

Established in 1893, Writtle College offers a range of full and part-time courses from post-GCSE vocational training, University of Essex Foundation and Honours degrees, and postgraduate programmes. Study programmes include agriculture, amenity horticulture and landscape management, animal science and animal management, business management, commercial horticulture, design, equine studies and science, floristry, leisure and tourism, rural environment and conservation, sport and service engineering. Writtle College also provides a variety of short courses and workshops, and opportunities for adult learners.

All Writtle College's degree programmes are validated by the University of Essex, which has been ranked among the top ten universities in the UK. The curriculum at Writtle College is developed in liaison with formal Industrial Consultation Panels, ensuring that students are equipped with all the skills and knowledge demanded by employers.

Writtle College is set in its own 220 hectare estate with landscaped gardens, a working animal unit, equine training and development centre and stud, working farm, sports fields, construction areas, workshops and retail, business and leisure operations. Resources also include a fitness centre, climbing wall, library, modern science centre, design centre and studio, floristry building, engineering workshops, and extensive computer facilities, including CAD systems.

The College has established four Centres of Innovation: the Centre for Environment and Rural Affairs (CERA), the Centre for Arts and Design in the Environment (CADE), the Centre for Equine and Animal Science (CEQAS) and the Centre for World Crops (CWC). These centres will play a major role in nurturing a range of external activities and collaborations to support knowledge transfer and practitioner based and action management based reach-out activities.
There is a lively community atmosphere on campus with students from over 50 countries. The College Patron is Alan Titchmarsh and the College Principal is Professor David Butcher.