Shabir Ismail, Principal/CEO
Shabir joined Leicester College in October 2010 and brings nearly 30 years of experience in the Further Education sector. Throughout his career, he has held key roles at North Warwickshire and Hinckley College, Further Education Funding Council (FEFC) and worked as a consultant supporting other colleges.
Beyond education, Shabir is deeply committed to community engagement. He has held numerous non-executive positions across secondary and primary schools, the NHS, the Leicester Riders Foundation, and the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE). He currently serves on the board of East Midlands Housing (EMH) Association and a local primary school.
Shabir has also played a vital role in regional development, having been part of the executive team at the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership and a member of the Leicester Safeguarding Children Partnership Board.
A Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and holds a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics. He has a passion for education and the community we serve.
Amanda Scott, Director of Human Resources
Amanda joined the College early in 2025 as Director of Human Resources. Prior to joining Leicester College, Amanda served as Director of Human Resources for a Multi-Academy Trust in the Leicester region. She also brings previous leadership experience in business management from the private sector. Amanda is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and holds a Bachelor of Laws degree, a Diploma in Business Management and currently serves as a governor at a primary school in Leicester City.
Andy Cookson, Interim Assistant Principal – Curriculum, study programme and apprenticeship
Andy joined Leicester College in 2016 as Director of Creative and Performing Arts and has over 26 years’ experience of working in the FE sector. Andy has held various positions within the sector such Lecturer, Head of Department, Programme Manager and has worked in FE Colleges in the south-east of England, London and Birmingham.
Andy held the position of Assistant Principal at Cadbury Sixth Form College from 2011 - 2015, overseeing Marketing, school's liaison, careers and admissions.
Andy holds a BA (Hons) Degree in Fine Art and a Post Graduate Diploma in Leadership in Education.
Beyond education, Andy is active in his local community through football coaching at Stratford Town Football Club and arts society groups.
Kully Sandhu, Vice Principal – Adult and Higher Education
Kully was appointed to Leicester College as Assistant Principal for Skills for Life and Functional Skills in August 2007. He previously held the positions of Lecturer, Head of School for Automotive Engineering, Quality Manager and Assistant Director for Widening Participation at the College. His curriculum specialism is motor vehicle engineering, which he taught for 11 years.
Prior to working in Further Education in 1993, Kully was employed in the motor industry. After completing his apprenticeship he held the posts of Technician specialising in automotive electronics, Workshop Supervisor and Trainer. In 1990 he became a partner in an independent garage business. Kully holds an MSc in Educational Leadership.
Louise Hazel, Director of Governance and Policy
Louise was appointed as Director of Governance and Policy in 2016 having previously held a policy and planning role at the College. Before joining Leicester College she worked for the Further Education Funding Council.
Louise has several years’ experience as a school governor in both primary and secondary schools as well as experience as Company Secretary for a City school. She is currently a governor at a Leicestershire secondary academy.