More on KentOnline
Home Kent Business County news Article
The man who has transformed the fortunes of the East Kent Colleges Group (EKC) - Graham Razey - has confirmed he is stepping down from the role.
It brings down the curtain on a remarkable period for the group which he has overseen for more than a decade.
Initially joining as principal of what was then Thanet College in Broadstairs, in 2010, Razey rose to chief executive and saw the group take over the running of colleges in Canterbury, Ashford, Folkestone and Dover to become one of the biggest providers of further education in the county.
Uniting under the rebranded East Kent Colleges Group, in 2023, it became the first in the country to be rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted across its campuses and across all categories.
It has also spun a schools trust off its main organisation. The sister group, the EKC Schools Trust, formed in 2017, has built up a portfolio of primary schools across its catchment area.
It also now runs the EKC Sheppey Secondary - rising from the ashes of the Oasis Academy. It has seen a sharp rise in the number of parents applying since it took over.
But after 14 years in charge, Razey - awarded an OBE in the 2020 New Year’s Honours list for his services to education - has confirmed he will quit as chief executive of the group later this year. He is expecting to leave during the summer term.
He said: “It has been a true honour to serve EKC Group and its communities over the past 14 years. Watching the organisation go from strength to strength has been a huge privilege.
“Together, we have achieved incredible things, and I am extremely proud of every single person who has played a part in that.
“I am confident that the new chief executive officer will lead staff and students to a bright future and allow EKC Group to continue to provide incredible opportunities to the communities that we serve.
“I wish them all the best, and would like to thank the group, our governing body, the students past and present, our local communities and our key stakeholders for their support during my time with the organisation.”
Razey is believed to have made the decision last year - triggering a search for his successor.
Taking his place will be the group’s current deputy CEO, Lucy McLeod.
She has been with the organisation since 1998.
She said: “Our group has had such a tremendous impact on me over the years, inspiring a genuine passion for education and our students, and the opportunities we afford them.
“I feel so incredibly privileged to have been chosen to lead the organisation when Graham steps down.
“We have done some amazing things through the years, delivering meaningful positive change in the communities we serve and achieving ‘outstanding’ at our most recent Ofsted. I can’t wait to see what we can do in our future together.”
Chairman of the full governing body, Charles Buchanan, added: “Whilst there is no doubt that we will be sad to lose Graham, both the governing body and I are tremendously excited for our group’s future.
“We are confident that under Lucy’s leadership, it is set to be a bright one.”