AFTER 23 years of service in the further education sector, the College of West Anglia’s Jill Francis has retired.

Mrs Francis, the college’s executive director for partnerships based at the college’s Isle campus in Wisbech, retired today.

She said: “Every day since I started at the college has been different. It has not been without challenges but it has been a great pleasure to work with an excellent team committed to raising aspirations and creating opportunities for the young and more mature to maximise their potential.

“I will miss the people and wish the college well as I start a new chapter in my life.”

Mrs Francis, who lives in Wimblington with her husband Martin, moved to the Fens when she was 14 and attended Wisbech High School.

She qualified to become a research and product manager at Hotpoint in Peterborough before joining Geest Foods in Spalding.

Her further education career began as a lecturer in economics and marketing at the former Isle College and it was not long before she took on a role as assistant principal.

After the Isle’s merger with the College of West Anglia she took on her current title as part of a new-look senior management team.

Mrs Francis has also served as a governor at Thomas Clarkson Community College, Wisbech, and King’s Lynn Academy.

David Pomfret, college principal, said: “Jill has made a fantastic contribution to the college’s many successes and we wish her the very best in retirement.”