DR GREG Smith has announced he will retire next year after 16 years as principal and chief executive of Glou­cestershire College.

The man who oversaw the handing over of the former Royal Forest of Dean College to the county organisation will step down in August 2013 at the age of 62 and after 16 years in the top job.

He is recognised as having made a significant contribution to the college and to Gloucestershire since 1997 when he was appointed.

Greg has always been a passionate advocate of further education and of education being at the heart of the county's regeneration plans. The most visible, and one of the most important decisions Greg took on his appointment was to transform the college estate.

He rationalised the number of teaching centres and invested in two state-of-the-art campuses, one in Gloucester and one in Cheltenham. The College's Park campus in Cheltenham relocated to Princess Elizabeth Way in 2002 and the Gloucester campus in Brunswick Road relocated to Gloucester docks in 2007 as part of the city's redevelopment plan.

The organisation rebranded in 2007, changing its name from Gloscat to Gloucestershire College to coincide with the opening of the Gloucester campus.

These moves have proved to be extremely successful. Not only have they improved facilities and resources for learners but the relocation of the campuses to areas of severe deprivation has also proved pioneering in leading further regeneration of these areas.

Greg is currently involved in the proposed move of the college's Forest of Dean Campus from its current site near Coleford to Cinderford as part of the town's regeneration plan.

He said: "When I joined the college in 1997 my aim was to build on its reputation by creating learning environments fit for the 21st century and to continually improve the student experience."

During his time at the helm Gloucestershire College has improved its Ofsted grade, its success rates and its reputation with stakeholders.

After leaving school at 16 he attended an FE college which he describes as "a life-changing experience". He became president of the Students' Union and, inspired to continue in education, completed a degree in Business Studies from Kingston University. He then went on to become an FE Lecturer in Business Studies and taught Business Studies and Economics both in the UK and abroad.

Greg's passion for regeneration and the improvements which can be made to whole communities is clear in his role as Chair of the Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company (GHURC), a role he has held since its inception in February 2004.

To date the GHURC has attracted inward investment of over £520m and has spearheaded the regeneration of Gloucester, including the Docks and other sites of historical importance.

Amongst his other achievements Greg was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Gloucestershire in 2009 for his services to further education and regeneration and in 2010 was made a Deputy Lieutenant for Gloucestershire. He is Council member for the University of Gloucestershire and a board member of the Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Board (LEP).

He says his future plans include taking some time off to play golf and do some fishing before making any decisions. He will also continue with his duties as a Deputy Lieutenant.

Graham Ripley, Gloucestershire College's chair of governors, said: "On behalf of the Board of Governors, I would like to recognise Greg's inspired leadership over a long and challenging period for both the College and the sector.

"Greg is widely recognised for his entrepreneurial ability as well as his keen insight and his willingness to get involved. The outstanding growth and achievements of the college over this period have all benefitted from his strong commitment."