Experts in Leadership Search and Recruitment in the Further Education and Skills Sector

“Thank you for your brilliant work in finding such a strong field of candidates and despite some challenges and last minute surprises, achieving an excellent outcome. The brief was clearly understood from the outset and the approach of arranging for interested candidates to visit the College and meet with me was a valuable addition to the recruitment and selection process. Your support throughout the selection process was invaluable and greatly appreciated. It was particularly helpful to have your insights during the panel discussions. We are delighted with the appointment and look forward to welcoming the successful candidate to the College.”

“FE Associates recently supported Calderdale College with the recruitment of our new Vice Principal for Adults, Apprenticeships and Higher Education. Jo Johnston guided us expertly through the process, making it both efficient and highly effective. The support saved us a significant amount of time while ensuring a strong and high-quality field of candidates for the assessment day. It was a thoroughly positive experience and I would confidently recommend FE Associates to other colleges and providers. We will certainly use FEA again in the future.”

“FEA provided exceptional support throughout the recruitment process for my appointment as Chief Operating Officer at York College. Having moved into the FE sector from a senior role in the academy sector, I was looking for an opportunity that would bring together this breadth of experience. Amanda at FEA was instrumental in helping me recognise how my background and leadership experience throughout my career directly aligned with York College’s priorities and the strategic requirements of the COO role. Her communication throughout was clear, timely and highly supportive. Amanda offered thoughtful guidance at key points, helping me prepare effectively and articulate my strengths in a way that resonated with the needs of the College. Her professionalism, insight and personable approach made the whole process both rigorous and reassuring. I am delighted to have taken up the role and am grateful to Amanda and the wider FEA team for their part in facilitating this next step in my leadership journey. I would not hesitate to recommend FEA to colleagues exploring senior opportunities within the further education sector.”

“ I would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff at FEA and in particular Jo Johnston, for their guidance and support in helping me achieve promotion to Deputy Principal, Quality and Student Experience, at Barnet and Southgate College. Jo and I had been in regular contact for some time, discussing various roles and my suitability for them and this one just felt right. She was never pushy about getting me to apply and always made me feel like I had to make the decision that was right for me. Once shortlisted, Jo spent time guiding me through what was a new situation for me and how to best position myself. She would always be available at the end of the phone, on Teams or via email to answer questions and keep me focused on preparing the right way. One thing I really valued was her honesty in answering my questions, which helped me stay focused on the task at hand. Jo was a calming influence on selection day and during the interview. All candidates said they found her support invaluable. My advice to anyone thinking about applying for a job but isn’t quite sure is to get in touch with FEA and have an informal chat – I honestly believe they will give you the right advice on suitability and fit. For anyone considering using a recruitment company to manage the process, I would highly recommend FEA. As someone who has been recruited by them and has used their services in other organisations, they are excellent to work with. ”

“I wanted to thank you and your team for your support in our recent search for a Director of Finance. Your professionalism, responsiveness, and understanding of our requirements really contributed to the success of the process. The panel truly appreciates the effort you and your team put into identifying candidates and ensuring a smooth, efficient recruitment experience. We are also delighted Graham has accepted the role and I am really looking forward to him starting next February. It’s been a pleasure working with you and I look forward to staying in touch and working together on future recruitment needs.”

“Working with FE Associates has been an outstanding experience. They supported us in recruiting our Principal and CEO, as well as our Deputy Principals in Finance and Corporate Services and Curriculum and Quality. From the outset, FE Associates took the time to understand our College’s values, culture and strategic priorities. They shaped the longlisting process around what we were looking for, making sure everything reflected who we are as an organisation. Their insight, professionalism and feedback gave us complete confidence throughout. They presented a field of candidates who not only met the requirements of the roles but also aligned perfectly with our ethos and vision for the college. The team’s communication was excellent, and their understanding of the education and leadership landscape was evident at every stage. I would highly recommend FE Associates to any organisation seeking a trusted recruitment partner for executive and senior leadership appointments.”

“I wanted to reach out to thank you once again for your outstanding support throughout our recent recruitment process for the position of Principal. The entire experience was extremely smooth from start to finish. Your meticulous organisation made all the difference, and we successfully recruited exactly the right candidate for the role. This marks the fourth time we have worked with FEA, and each experience has been fabulous – a testament to the consistently high standards you maintain.”

“The support from FEA while seeking my next leadership opportunity within the FE sector was exceptional. During the initial early exploratory stages, Jo provided helpful guidance on the skills and experience I needed to progress within the sector. By seeking opportunities to develop these skills in my previous role, this feedback was invaluable for my leadership development. I am grateful for the personal approach and clear feedback that enabled me to be successful in my application to be a Deputy Principal at Newham College.”

“As a Director of Governance, I found the communication, advice and support received from FE Associates during its recruitment search for our next Principal and Chief Executive to be really valuable. As a believer that ‘detail matters’, I cannot fault the team who answered each and every query I raised in recognition of the role all governance professionals have in supporting the Corporation and its members as well as the college as a whole.”

“The application process for my new role was one of the most supportive I have experienced in my (almost) 30 year career. Suzanne met with me on three separate occasions before and throughout the process, and was not only helpful, but extremely positive and encouraging. I felt looked after throughout and was kept well informed of the process at all times. Thank you for such a great experience.”