A college principal hopes to spread best practice across the post-16 education sector as he prepares to take on a new role at the Learning and Skills Council.

Ray Dowd, who has 25 years of experience in the sector, takes on the newly-created post of 'agenda for change champion'.

In this role Dowd said he aims to build a culture of self-improvement where colleges can pool their skills to improve national standards.

Setting out his goals, he said: “I want to see our sector proud, confident, trusted and valued nationally. I believe that the post-16 education sector is on the cusp of a tremendously exciting period.”

Dowd is currently principal and chief executive of Wirral Metropolitan College and chairs the Association of Colleges’ Higher Education in Further Education steering group.

He will take up the post in March.