THE new principal of Wigan and Leigh College is former engineer and lecturer Jim Crewdson.

He lectured at Blackpool and Blackburn colleges, before becoming principal of South Kent College in 1997. He lives in Preston with his wife, Brenda. In his youth, he attended Blackpool College, where he attained a BTEC HNC in production engineering. He also attended Harris College, where he obtained a City & Guilds technician's certificate, and studied part-time at Lancashire Polytechnic to attain his BSc in production engineering.

After completing an apprenticeship as a toolmaker, he progressed from machinist/toolmaker to foreman, from that position to NC/CNC programmer, and in 1978, took a lecturing position at Blackpool College.

By 1983, he held a senior lecturer post and moved to Blackburn College in 1985 as principal lecturer in computer aided engineering. By 1990, he had become assistant principal of technology and creative arts. In 1995, he joined South Kent College as vice principal and became principal in 1997.

Born in 1949, Mr Crewdson is married to Brenda and they live near Preston.

He sits on various national, regional and local working groups which, among others includes The Kent & Medway Learning & Skills Council.

He said: "I am very proud to be chosen to run what is an excellent college which really does serve the needs of the community."