Gerry McDonald joined the Board of Governors on the 1st May 2025 as an Independent Governor. Gerry serves on the Governance Committee and Audit and Risk Committee.
Gerry McDonald has been the Group Principal and CEO of New City College (formerly Tower Hamlets College) since 2013.
Gerry has led New City College through six mergers, developing it as a leading regional skills and education provider serving London and Essex, and achieving a grade of Outstanding in their latest Ofsted inspection (2025).
Gerry is a qualified business studies teacher who has worked in the sector since 1993. He holds business degrees from the University of West of England and Aston University, and a PGCE from Manchester Metropolitan University.
Gerry is a passionate advocator for the further education sector and is a serving college leader on the National Leaders for Further Education (NLFEs) programme, led by the FE Commissioner.
Alongside his board role with LMU, he is a long-standing board member and previous Deputy Chair of the Association of Colleges; and Deputy Chair of the Education and Training Foundation. Gerry also serves on the Greater London Authority’s Skills for Londoners board, helping to influence devolved skills policy for the benefit of local communities.
As a result of his service to Further Education, Gerry was honoured with a CBE in the 2025 New Year’s Honours.
