Tributes have poured in for the “fiercely determined” former college principal Viv Gillespie, who has died after a short illness.
Gillespie had been a stalwart principal in the FE sector, holding the top job at four colleges across England over her 30-year career.
She stood down as principal at Suffolk New College in January 2023 after seven years, at the time explaining her retirement was down to the recent discovery of a medical concern.
She died peacefully on Friday, March 31.
Alan Pease, acting principal at the college and who worked as deputy principal under Gillespie, said: “Our college community is devastated by this news. During her time here, Viv committed to improving the lives of those living in this county and beyond by offering exceptional educational and training opportunities for all.”
