FIFE COLLEGE'S new principal and chief executive has a "strong affinity" with the Kingdom.

Jim Metcalfe will take over in the spring from Dr Hugh Hall, who is standing down after six years in charge.

The new man, currently chief executive at College Development Network, arrives at an exciting time with a new £100 million campus due to open in Dunfermline in August 2024.

Mr Metcalfe said: “I am delighted and feel very privileged to have been appointed principal of Fife College.

"I value the progressive role the college plays within the community and I’m looking forward to meeting our students and staff and working with them into the future.”

Prior to his role at College Development Network, Mr Metcalfe was head of development and practice at the Carnegie UK Trust based in Dunfermline.

Before that, he was an aide to Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

As the new principal, he will be responsible for 17,000 students, a wide range of business clients and 1,000 staff.

Mr Metcalfe will manage a commercial client base of £8 million and turnover of £57m.

His in-tray will be full as, in addition to the new campus at Halbeath – to be shared with St Columba's and Woodmill high schools – the college is working closely with businesses and other partners to try to fill the national skills gap and drive economic growth in the region.

David C Watt, chair of the board of governors at Fife College, said: “Jim has a strong affinity with Fife. His experience and passion for the college sector, along with his knowledge of the region and the communities we serve, made him the stand-out candidate.

"The board looks forward to working with him to build on the success of Fife College and lead it ably through the future challenges and opportunities.”

Mr Metcalfe wears a number of hats as he is a trustee of the UK Energy Saving Trust (EST) and chair of the EST Foundation, a director of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership, a member of the European Training Fund's self-improving system working group and serves on the Scottish Government’s Curriculum Advisory Board.