Professor Eddie Abbott-Halpin has been appointed as the Principal of Orkney College UHI and will take up his post in early January. He will join the new Assistant Principal Tom Duff, who took up his post in October and existing Assistant Principal Jo Wallace.

Principals Old (R) and New (L)

The appointments follow the retirements of principal Dr Bill Ross and Assistant Principal Issy Grieve.

Professor Abbott-Halpin is currently a professor at Leeds Beckett University in the Department of Computing, Creative Technology and Engineering, with more than 20 years experience in the further education sector, including work as a visiting professor in Sri Lanka and Iraq.

Tom Duff was London head of the University of the West of Scotland and previously a lecturer in Computing and Academic Practice.

Wilfred Weir, Executive Director of Education, Leisure and Housing at Orkney Islands Council said:

“I wish to thank Bill and Issy for their long tenure, and distinguished leadership over the years. They have built the college into a strong educational institution that makes a major contribution to tertiary education in the Orkney community and places it on the national and world stage.

“An exciting new period lies ahead and we look forward to working together with Eddie, Tom and Jo to continue to go from strength to strength and further build and shape a college suited to the sustainability of Orkney, playing a major role in the Orkney Offer for our learners and continuing to lead very high calibre research.”