Galliers, who has been the Principal of Leicester College since 2002, will become the AoC's fifth President when she succeeds Fiona McMillan on 1 August 2012.

The AoC is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1996 to represent and promote the interests of colleges at a national and regional level.

It aims to be the authoritative voice for colleges and the first-choice destination of its members for guidance and advice.

Appointed a CBE for services to local and national further education in 2009, the future President knows the importance of her future employer.

She said: "I see the AoC as crucial in helping colleges navigate the opportunities and challenges facing the sector and, to that end, I'm a member of the AoC's Reputation and Urban Colleges groups. It will be an honour to serve as AoC President, a role to which I will bring all my energy, commitment and passion for celebrating and advancing further education."

As principal of Leicester College, Galliers saw daily reminders of the difference further education makes to individuals, communities and the economy.

She said: "Colleges are the backbone of the education sector and offer programmes of a breadth and depth which is second to none."

The office of President was established in 2007 following a strategic review of the association and AoC's Chair, John Bingham, is pleased with the new appointment.

He said: "It's very gratifying, and testament to the value our members place on the presidency, that Maggie Galliers has decided to put herself forward for the position. I'm certain that her calibre and the high regard in which she is held by those in the sector, together with her demonstrable, unbounded enthusiasm and commitment to further education, will only benefit our members and the students they serve over the forthcoming year."

Current AoC President Fiona McMillan is delighted with the choice of her successor.

She said: "I know that Maggie is as passionate about the sector as I am and that she will be an excellent ambassador for colleges. She has a great deal of experience to bring to the role. I look forward to working with her in the run-up to handing over in July."

Galliers is currently a member of the Ofqual Board, the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) Board and the Higher

Education Funding Council for England's (HEFCE) Teaching Quality and Student Experience Committee.

Prior to leading Leicester College, which educates and trains 28,000 students a year with a turnover over £55 million, Ms Galliers was Principal
of Henley College Coventry for five years.

She has also been a member of the Apprenticeship Task Force, the FEFC Quality Assessment Committee, the Quality Improvement Agency Board, the National Learning and Skills Council (LSC), the LSC's Young People's Learning Committee and has taught in every education sector from primary to higher.

Oliver Porritt