Yeovil College Announces Appointment of New Chair of the Corporation
Yeovil College is pleased to announce the appointment of Karl Tucker as the new Chair of the Corporation, succeeding Peter Thomas following his distinguished tenure in the role.
Karl joins the College at a time of significant progress and achievement, with a strong strategic vision, major investment in facilities, and growing recognition for excellence across education and skills development.
Commenting on his appointment, Karl Tucker said:
“It is a great privilege to take on the role of Chair of the Corporation at Yeovil College. I am joining at a time of real positive momentum, with a clear sense of purpose and ambition across the organisation.
“The College continues to play a vital role in supporting learners, employers and the wider community and economy, and I look forward to working with fellow governors, Mark Bolton, CEO and Principal, and the executive team to build on this strong platform.
Speaking about the College’s ambitious vision and transformative future, Karl said:
“There is a great deal to be excited about. The Big Build project represents a significant investment in the future, creating outstanding facilities for learners. The recent Ofsted inspection outcome is testament to the entire College team and the high-quality provision they deliver.
“The Government’s recent decision to award Yeovil College Defence Technical Excellence College (DTEC) status is another acknowledgement of the quality, ambition and vision within the College. Through new facilities, higher-level programmes and deeper employer partnerships, Yeovil College is at the forefront of developing the highly skilled workforce needed across defence and advanced industries.
“As Chair, I am committed to supporting high standards, strong governance and meaningful collaboration with our partners. My ambition is to ensure the College continues to maximise its impact, whilst delivering opportunities for learners, supporting employers, and contributing to the economic growth of our region.”
Karl brings a wealth of leadership, governance and business experience to the position. A highly respected figure across the South West, he has held a number of prominent roles supporting economic growth, skills development and business innovation, including serving as Chair of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership. Throughout his career, he has championed collaboration between education and industry, helping to drive investment, productivity and opportunities for communities across the region.
Karl also paid tribute to his predecessor, Peter Thomas, whose dedicated service and leadership have helped shape the College’s success over the past two decades, commenting:
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Peter Thomas for his outstanding commitment to the College. Peter has served for more than 18 years on the Board, including as Vice Chair of Audit, Chair of Curriculum, Quality and Assessment, Vice Chair of Corporation and, since 2022, Chair of the Corporation. Throughout this time, Peter has provided dedicated leadership and unwavering support. He leaves a strong legacy for us to build upon.”
Mark Bolton, CEO and Principal of Yeovil College, welcomed the appointment:
“We are delighted to welcome Karl as Chair of the Corporation. His extensive leadership experience, commitment to education and understanding of the region’s economic priorities will be invaluable as we continue to deliver our ambitious plans for the future.
“I would also like to thank Peter Thomas for his exceptional service to Yeovil College. His contribution over nearly two decades has been significant, and his leadership has helped shape the College into the strong and successful organisation it is today.”
The appointment comes as Yeovil College enters a transformative phase, with over £60 million being invested through its Big Build programme, the expansion of higher-level technical education, and strengthened partnerships with industry to meet the skills needs of Somerset and beyond.