Two new appointments for Gower College Swansea
Gower College Swansea has appointed a brand new Deputy Principal and Director of Skills and Business Development.
Nick Brazil, who started his new role as Deputy Principal in January, first joined the college as a Sport/PE lecturer in 1993. He was then appointed Curriculum Support Manager before progressing through the organisation as Programme Area Manager, Director of Faculty and then Dean of Faculty – a position he held for seven years.
As Dean of Faculty, Nick oversaw three large learning areas - Humanities and Creative Arts, Maths, Science and Social Sciences, and Business and Technology – as well as having senior management responsibility for the College’s entire A Level provision and the broad, cross-college area of Learning Support.
“I’m really looking forward to creating the future within a dynamic, fast moving and innovative college,” says Nick. “I’m a proud GCS staff member and want to continue working with colleagues to make sure we provide excellence and impact for all our learners.”
Paul Kift has joined the College as Director of Skills and Business Development where his immediate focus will be on apprenticeships and the strategic development of GCS Training - the business training arm of Gower College Swansea. Paul will also lead the College’s External Funding and International departments.
A former student at the Gorseinon campus, Paul went on to undertake senior management roles operating across the UK, Europe and China. Prior to joining the College, he worked for Capital Law for six years and then Cardiff and Vale College for a further four years. In 2015, Paul was selected as one of the “highest-flying young business and professional men in Wales” via his inclusion in WalesOnline's ‘35 under 35’ list. He was also an Institute of Directors (IoD) Wales Director of the Year Finalist.
“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to help shape the skills agenda for a College and city that I’m hugely passionate about,” says Paul. “With the Swansea Bay City Deal and Tidal Lagoon projects moving closer to fruition and an increased business confidence being witnessed across the city, the necessity for innovative and tailored skills development has never been so vital. I look forward to working with employers and partners, both at home and overseas, to develop the talent that allows the region to thrive.”
“I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Nick and Paul into their new roles and look forward to working closely with them both to further develop the growing portfolio and profile of Gower College Swansea as a high quality provider that responds effectively to the needs of our local communities,” says Principal Mark Jones.
“Their appointments – as well as the creation of two brand new roles heading up our work based learning provision and employer engagement – will help to drive the whole college even further forward and one step closer to our ultimate aims, which are to be the very best choice for learners as well as a key player in the future success of Swansea.”