NSCG holds surprise retirement party for Karen Dobson OBE, Principal & Chief Executive

With the final term of the academic year coming to an end, this provided the perfect opportunity for staff past and present, governors, and friends of the College to come together and stage a surprise retirement party for Karen, before her official retirement at the end of August. Karen’s achievements were celebrated by all, alongside recognising the outstanding contribution she has made to the College and the education sector during her career.

Emotional speeches were given by Governor Simon Leech, Aaron Bell MP and the incoming NSCG Principal Craig Hodgson.

Karen was showered with thoughtful well-wishes, cards and gifts from departments around the College, including a stunning bespoke oak bench handcrafted by carpentry and joinery staff and students from Stafford College.

Taking to the stage, Karen addressed the packed room of friends and staff to reflect on her career, including her transition from the NHS to education. She described it as the moment where she truly found her calling and never looking back. Karen continued: “It has been an absolute privilege and pleasure to be the Principal and Chief Executive of NSCG, and to have worked with so many talented people who consistently put the students’ interests at the heart of everything they do. I am proud of the extraordinary things we’ve managed to achieve together over the last 20 years and I’ll definitely miss everything about the place.”

The event was a wonderful celebration of Karen’s career and she will be greatly missed by all at the College when she retires in August.