The head of Bradford College has been named as the new president-elect of the Association of Colleges.

Michele Sutton, principal and chief executive of Bradford College, takes up the role at the beginning of August.

She said: “I am delighted to have been elected and look forward to taking up the post as the sixth AoC president in August. I’m ardent about the value that further education colleges – whatever their size or type – bring to individuals, communities, business and the wider economy.”

Mrs Sutton has been at Bradford College since August 2004. It is one of the largest colleges in the country and the largest provider of higher education outside of the university sector in England.