Elton is the Chair of Governors for the West Suffolk College Corporation and Eastern Education Trust Boards. His time with the Group has been marked by the convergence of our different institutions to become Eastern Education Group.
What made you join Eastern Education Group?
Both my sons and I were state school educated – myself in London and my sons in Suffolk. This experience clarified for me the power of education to improve life chances. Whilst working in London, I became Chair at Hadleigh High School, and then joined the Board at Suffolk One. This convinced me that after a planned early voluntary retirement, education was where I wanted to focus my energy.
In 2017, I joined the West Suffolk College (WSC) Board and was appointed Chair in 2019. My first challenge was to stabilise the newly formed Suffolk Academies Trust (SAT) and ensure it worked collaboratively with WSC. This was the genesis of Eastern Education Group.
My reason for joining the Group was simple. Education is the key enabler for social mobility and increased productivity in our society, and I believed I could help the Group become a powerful force for good in our community.
During my tenure as Chair, I was appointed a National Leader of Governance for FE in 2020, working for the FE Commissioner and a National Leader of Governance for Schools, and, in 2022, working for the National Governance Association. These roles enabled me to help colleges and schools nationally and bring best practice ideas back to the Group.
Could you tell us the story of the creation of Eastern Education Group?
EEG was the brainchild of Dr Nikos Savvas (CEO). His vision of providing outstanding education on an industrial scale for the benefit of the community we serve, was truly compelling.
We used the formation of the Trust to bid for and win £35m Free School funding from the Department for Education (DfE) to build Abbeygate Sixth Form College. At its first Ofsted inspection in 2023, Abbeygate was judged “Outstanding”, and in 2024, WSC was judged “Outstanding” in all areas. EEG was the only education Group in the country with three colleges independently judged “Outstanding” by Ofsted. Over half of the 16–18-year-old students in Suffolk, more than 2,000 apprentices, and thousands of adults, studied at one of our outstanding colleges.
In 2023, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) funded us to create the North Cambridgeshire Training Centre (NCTC) in partnership with Metalcraft to train engineers in Chatteris. Based on that success, we won further funding to create centres in Ely, St Neots and Soham. Our partnership with CPCA is benefitting rural ‘cold spot’ communities in Cambridgeshire.
In 2024, SENDAT, a multi academy trust (MAT) of five SEND schools (Priory, Chalk Hill, Duke of Lancaster, Stone Lodge and Sunrise) joined the Group, closely followed by two Primary schools (Exning and Stanton). All these schools share our vision for the community and region.
Currently, EEG has an annual turnover exceeding £90m and provides outstanding education to over 15,000 students – one organisation based on multiple sites. EEG is an education powerhouse transforming lives on an industrial scale.
Do you have any special memories from your time with us?
I have many treasured memories but have picked a few highlights below.
- Abbeygate – being part of the team that won funding for, built, and made the College outstanding.
- Ofsted – being part of the team that achieved “Outstanding” judgements at One, Abbeygate and WSC – a national first.
- XR Lab – helping create an iconic building where frontiers of education and technology are pushed.
- NCTC – meeting HRH Princess Anne when she opened the hugely successful training centre.
- Edmunds – enjoying a six-course meal cooked by Albert Roux and our students.
- Conservatoire EAST – enjoying many fantastic student performances.
- Celebration of Achievement – seeing the excitement and pride of our students being recognised in the beautiful setting of St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
- Friday comms call – joining 200 to 300 staff regularly to share best practices and learn from colleagues.
- Christmas lunch – serving roast potatoes to 700 staff from all our campuses at our Group Christmas dinner.
Are there any family members who have connections to EEG?
My son studied for his A-levels at Suffolk One, where he met his now wife. They have both forged successful careers in the finance sector and live in London. Clearly, a marriage made not in heaven, but in Eastern Education Group!
Is there a message you would like to share as we celebrate our 100 years of history?
Outstanding education is in our DNA. We are an elite education provider, but we are not elitist. We leave no one behind.
Lastly, do you have any advice for future students and staff at EEG?
If you study with us and work hard, you can make your dreams a reality.
