Public appointment: Interim Chair appointed to the board of management of Glasgow Kelvin College

The Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans has announced the appointment of Ian Patrick as Interim Chair of the board of management of Glasgow Kelvin College. 

This is the first appointment to the college board to be made following the commencement of the Regional Strategic Bodies and Regional Colleges (Glasgow and Lanarkshire) Order 2025 which designates Glasgow Kelvin College as a regional college, removing the oversight of the previous regional strategic body structures. 

An appointment round to recruit a substantive chair will commence in the short-term. 

Interim Chair 

Ian Patrick brings over 30 years of experience in Further and Higher Education up until his retirement in 2014, with his last role being as Director of College Partnership at UWS. 

Ian currently has 14 years of experience in college governance, having joined the Board of John Wheatley College in 2011 and, following college regionalisation, the Board of Glasgow Kelvin College in 2013. He served as Vice Chair between 2016 and 2018 and since 2018 has been Chair of the Board of Glasgow Kelvin College. 

Ian firmly believes in the necessity of effective governance and led the board in ensuring it constructively challenged and supported the Executive of the College in order to achieve financial stability, and provide meaningful educational opportunities for the communities it serves. 

Ian is also a trustee of the Scottish Bridge Union, leads on governance for that organisation and serves as Chair of its Laws and Ethics Committee. 

Appointment 

This interim chair appointment will be for 12 months, and will run from 15 August 2025 to 14 August 2026. 

This interim chair appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner. 

Remuneration 

This interim chair appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £211.00 for a time commitment of 2 days per week. 

Other ministerial appointments 

Ian does not hold any other public appointments. 

Political activity  

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.    

Ian has had no political activity within the last five years.  

Background 

Glasgow Kelvin College is a key provider of accessible vocational skills and core skills learning in the north and east of the city. As one of six colleges in the Glasgow City Region, Glasgow Kelvin College works closely with the city regional colleges to ensure a quality learner experience which equips its students to progress in their working, personal and civic life.  

Placing students at the centre of everything the College does, Kelvin addresses local, regional and national employment needs by maintaining the highest standards and best possible experience of learning, teaching and skills development. The College embraces diversity, is inclusive and accessible, and offers a welcoming and safe place where everyone can grow, achieve and to get to where they want to be, within the College vision of Transforming Lives through Education. 

The current strategy (2022 – 2027) focuses on “Inspiring, Empowering and Connecting”. It outlines the key priorities for the medium and long-term and the aspirations for students and stakeholders.