UNIVERSITY Campus Suffolk (UCS) today announced that executive dean Dr Peter Funnell is to leave the institution.

UNIVERSITY Campus Suffolk (UCS) today announced that executive dean Dr Peter Funnell is to leave the institution.

UCS bosses revealed that Dr Funnell will become chief executive officer of IDEA Ltd as well as undertaking other leadership projects.

Making the announcement, professor Bob Anderson, CEO and pro-vice chancellor of UCS, said: “Peter has made a major contribution to further and higher education in Suffolk both when assistant principal at Suffolk College and as executive dean within UCS.

“Peter has managed wide-ranging institutional change, led academic and service delivery and innovation, and established and nurtured extensive external networks locally, nationally and internationally.

“In addition, throughout much of this period Peter played a key leadership role in the development of the case for a university presence in Suffolk and its realisation through UCS.

“As director of enterprise and executive dean of the Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences, Peter has made major contributions to the development of UCS, represented its interests externally, and established a broad network of relationships which UCS will profit from in the future.

“Having helped UCS through its early formative stages, Peter leaves having completed his contribution to the establishment of this nationally important initiative and to pursue other career opportunities.

“He does so with the highest regard of his colleagues and the warmest thanks of the UCS board, its senior team and its wider community stakeholders.”

Dr Funnell said he had been “privileged” to play a role in the creation of UCS and the development of Suffolk New College (SNC).

He added: “Both organisations offer excellent educational opportunities and contribute to the wider economy and cultural offer in Suffolk.

“Both are now uniquely placed to address the skills and knowledge requirements of the region through new facilities and contemporary models of community engagement. I wish colleagues and students in both UCS and SNC my very best wishes for the future”.

Outlining his own future plans Dr Funnell said: “I was delighted to accept an invitation to become Chief Executive of IDEA Ltd.

“IDEA is a joint venture between BT, University College London, the University of East Anglia, the University of Essex, UCS and SNC and was launched recently by the Prime Minister at Adastral Park - Suffolk's international centre of technical innovation in the communication world.

“IDEA is developing a unique skills escalator for the ICT and associated employment sectors, brokering services and encouraging innovation.

“I will also be leading a number of business development and evaluation projects through Oakmere Solutions Ltd, and plan to have some fun in newly appointed governance roles - as chairman of the Eastern Angles Theatre Company and as a trustee of the Ipswich Town Community Trust - and established roles with the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and the New Wolsey Theatre.”