A FORMER nurse who left school with five GCSEs has moved more than 200 miles to take up a leading role at Blackburn College.

The college’s new chief executive Dr Thomas Moore was the first person in his family to go to university, and now heads the huge educational facility.

He left his County Armagh school and did a number of manual jobs before deciding to train as a nurse, a job which saw him take up roles first in Northern Ireland, then Beirut, and back in the UK.

Making the move into education, Dr Moore took up a lecturer position in Barnsley, before working in both Wales and Scotland in higher education, health care regulation, and the Welsh Government.

Dr Moore said: “I went on a journey where my life was transformed through education. That is where my passion came from.

“I have taken a long route from school to university. All I want to say is, it’s do-able, and that’s why I’m passionate about the power of education, and how it can transform lives.”

He is to take over the reins at Blackburn College from Ian Clinton, who was both principal and CEO. The roles have been separated, with Dr Moore focusing on the external-facing role of the college.

He said: “When Blackburn College rang me to offer me the job, it was a ‘yes’ straight away.

“Blackburn College is unique and special.

“There is everything in one place.

“It is a ‘one-stop shop’. From sixth form, you can go right through to the University Centre.

“We are also in the heartland of major industry, and it’s about helping students gain meaningful employment, and increase their life chances.”

Accepting the role meant he had to make the decision to move 240 miles after three years as the principal and chief executive of Perth College, in Scot-land.

He said: “Brenda, my partner, has travelled with me on this journey.

“She is from County Down and was an intensive care sister, a lecturer in the university sector, and has had her own management development company.

“She has enabled me to pursue my dream and, without her, I wouldn’t be here.”