Perkins’ Operations Director Allan Arnott has been appointed as the non-executive chairman of the University Centre Peterborough.

The announcement was made as the University Centre Peterborough prepares to open two new facilities and start work on an £8.9m University Centre building on land next to Peterborough Regional College.

Led by Mr Arnott, the board of directors will oversee the strategic development and expansion of the University Centre Peterborough - a joint venture between Anglia Ruskin University and Peterborough Regional College.

Mr Arnott is currently a sponsor director at the Thomas Deacon Academy in Peterborough, and has formerly chaired the Greater Peterborough Training and Enterprise Council and the Greater Peterborough Partnership among other organisations.

“I’m delighted to have this opportunity to contribute to the growth and expansion of the University Centre Peterborough,” said Mr Arnott.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Peterborough and by providing the highest quality of delivery at degree level, we will build its reputation as a credible and significant education campus.

Mr Arnott added: “I am very familiar with the opportunities and issues facing Peterborough, which is the largest city in the country without a university.

“The development of a university of Peterborough is the next step in the city’s growth and regeneration, and I am delighted to be helping take this exciting project forward.”

Linda Jones, Executive Director of the University Centre Peterborough project said: “I welcome the opportunity to work alongside Allan. Having the input, advice and support of a senior director of a leading manufacturing company is invaluable.

“Allan will provide us with stability, guidance and energy as we expand and develop the university centre across Peterborough.”

The University Centre Peterborough board has six other directors:

Professor Mike Thorne, Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University

Don Lawson, Principal of Peterborough Regional College

Steve Bennett, Secretary and Clerk of Anglia Ruskin University

Martin Fisher, Chairman of Peterborough Regional College’s Corporation Board

Gillian Beasley, Chief Executive of Peterborough City Council

Steve Compton, Chief Executive of Opportunity Peterborough

Welcoming the appointment of Mr Arnott, Professor Thorne said: “I am delighted that we have been able to attract such a senior industrialist and one so deeply committed to the future and success of Peterborough to help us make our dream into a reality.”

From September the University Centre Peterborough will have 400 full time equivalent students studying degree courses, with this number expected to grow to 4,000 by 2013.

The University Centre, based across multiple locations in Peterborough, will enable the delivery and expansion of high quality higher education within the city, ultimately leading to the establishment of a single campus, stand alone university.

Over the coming year five centres will be established across the city, each catering for different sectors to meet the needs of the local economy.

This summer work will start on the creation of a dedicated university building, sited on the Peterborough Regional College campus in Park Crescent. The facility is set to open in September 2009, and will enable students to easily move on from the college to the university.

From September this year the University Centre Peterborough will cater for students interested in the financial services sector, with the opening of a facility situated on one of the city’s main business parks.

Students continuing their studies in health and the environment will be located in the heart of Peterborough city centre.

The Perkins Learning Centre, which is currently being extended, and a fifth site to be established in the Bretton area, could also form part of the college network.

PICTURE: Allan Arnott has been appointed as the non-executive chairman of the University Centre Peterborough.