Cardiff and Vale College Group Principal Kay Martin MBE retires at the end of 2023, after more than 40 years of service to education in South Wales.
Arguably among one of the most influential education leaders in the country, Kay retires as Group Principal of the fifth largest college group in the UK and the largest in Wales.
During her time as both Principal and then Group Principal, Cardiff and Vale College Group has become one of the largest and most successful colleges in the UK. Winning prestigious national awards, increasing student success rates to among the best in the sector, establishing unique and transformational approaches to learning, and supporting innovative business growth; all whilst working in a region with the most diverse landscape in the country.
After taking a leading role in the creation of Cardiff and Vale College, Kay has been at the fore as the college has undergone exponential growth across its offer and consequent student numbers. The last decade has also seen huge and positive change with the development of brand-new landmark campuses across Cardiff and now the Vale, and the establishment of new flagship areas of provision, all whilst ensuring consistent high-quality teaching and learning, with positive inspections across its provision.
The development of CAVC Group, with renowned training providers ACT Training and ALS joining forces with CAVC to form the largest apprenticeship provider in Wales, saw Kay move to Group Principal, overseeing the curriculum and quality of provision across all.
Kay has taken a hugely influential role in transforming education and training across the Capital region of Wales that spans Further Education, Higher Education, Work-Based Learning, Adult and Community Learning and Secondary Education, and was awarded an MBE for Services to Education in Wales in the June 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
As an influential board member, Kay’s roles have included Chair of the Colleges Wales Curriculum and Quality Group; a Governor of two of the region’s secondary schools; and board member of Business in the Community Wales Leadership Board and Cardiff Rugby Community Foundation Board, alongside work with the Welsh Government, including supporting schools and colleges through the pandemic.
Born in Aberdare, Kay studied Hospitality Management before qualifying as a teacher and taking up a post at Aberdare College where she eventually became Assistant Principal. An advocate of lifelong learning, Kay completed an MSc in Education Management and joined Barry College as Vice Principal in 2003, then later Acting Principal. In this role, Kay was pivotal in the merger of Barry College and Coleg Glan Hafren, which saw the creation of Cardiff and Vale College, where she was appointed as Principal.
CAVC Chair of Governors Geraint Evans said: “I have worked closely with Kay since she joined Barry College as Vice Principal in 2003. In that time, I have seen her hard work, true learner focus and commitment to education in the region.
“Kay has played a central role in the development of CAVC into the multi-award-winning fifth largest college group in the UK, which contributes half a billion pounds to the economy of the Cardiff Capital Region and more than £1bn to society. And her work in the community is further testament to Kay’s service to the region.
“Thank you Kay for everything you have done for the College and the wider community. Have a long and happy retirement.”
In a transition period to ensure high-quality and consistent teaching and learning across all provision, experienced educationalist and leader Sharon James-Evans, was appointed and has worked as Principal of CAVC over the last 18 months.