David Gates is the new principal of Keighley College.

He succeeds Doug Hardaker, who has retired after 19 years in the post.

Mr Gates has more than two decades of experience in the further education sector and moves from Swindon College, where he was deputy principal.

He has served in a range of further education institutions, from small rural colleges to large urban sites.

Having left school at 15, he went on to achieve a variety of higher level qualifications, including a 2:1 degree in social studies at Salford University, a post graduate Certificate of Education, a Masters Degree in industrial relations from Warwick University and a Master of Education from Manchester University.

Mr Gates said: "I am looking forward tremendously to being the principal at Keighley. The college has an excellent reputation and I am very proud to be given the opportunity to lead it through its next phase of development.

"Doug Hardaker will be a difficult act to follow. He leaves the college in a very strong position, reflected in this year's excellent Ofsted report.

"The college will continue to play a prominent role within the local communities, and I am committed to extending opportunities and ensuring all our students receive a quality experience."

Mr Gates's interests outside work include sport and travel, and he often combines the two -- recently he spent a break watching the World Cup in Japan.

He enjoys playing tennis, cricket and badminton.

And a keen hill-walker, he has completed all the Munros -- peaks over 3,000ft in Scotland.