The Stevenage-based Hart Learning Group has today appointed North Hertfordshire College’s principal to be its new chief executive.

Kit Davies, who filled the chief executive role in an interim capacity following the departure of Matt Hamnett in December last year, has now been given the job permanently.

Kit said: “I’m really pleased to be taking on the chief executive job. I couldn’t be prouder of the part I’ve played in the group’s significant transformation to date – we’re now ‘good’, and I’m determined we’re going to keep getting better.

“I’ve got an excellent team in place and I think our teaching staff are stronger than they’ve ever been. We’re on a journey that works and I’m energised to continue our improvement trend.”

Kit joined North Hertfordshire College – which is part of Hart Learning Group – as deputy principal in August 2015, and became principal in September last year.

In addition to the college, which has campuses in Stevenage and Hitchin, the group includes Hart Learning & Development and the Hart Schools Trust – which sponsors Stevenage’s Thomas Alleyne and Roebuck academies.

David Chalk, who chairs the group’s board of governors, said: “Kit is absolutely the right person to lead the Hart Learning Group’s next phase of improvement. Over the past three years he’s delivered rapid, substantial, improvements to the quality of the group’s teaching, learning and assessment practice and the outcomes it delivers for students.

“He’s got the support of myself and the rest of the board, as well as of our staff, students and key stakeholders in the local community.”

Kit’s appointment has been welcomed by Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership deputy chairman Adrian Hawkins, who said: “I’ve been fortunate enough to work with Kit in my past capacity as a governor of NHC and chairman of the Hart Schools Trust. I know that his hard work and diligence have made him a very worthy candidate for this new post.

“My role within the LEP means that I know the importance of maintaining great college leadership, at a time when developing more skills within the county and the country is so relevant.”

Stevenage Borough Council chief executive Scott Crudgington and University of Hertfordshire pro-vice-chancellor Julie Newlan have also saluted Kit on his new appointment.