THE HEAD of the UK’s top college has announced his retirement.

Nigel Duncan will step down as principal of Fareham College this year.

The education expert- who started his career more than 40 years ago - joined the college in 2005. As reported the College was judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted and last year was named best Further Education college in the country by the Times.

Mr Duncan made this year’s New Year’s Honours List and was awarded an OBE for services to further education.

He started out as a lecturer at Solihull College of Technology in 1981, before moving to work at Lowestoft College as Senior Lecturer and Deputy Head of Department in Health, where he was promoted to Director of Faculty for Vocational and Technical Studies.

After 14 years at Lowestoft College, Nigel then moved to West Herts College as Director of Curriculum.

In 2004 Nigel graduated with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration in Educational Management from the University of Leicester.

He is also a Fellow of the Institute for Learning.

A spokesperson for the college said receiving the OBE is a “very special way to end his career.”

Mr Duncan added: “I would like to thank the amazing team at Fareham College. They do an excellent job in helping me make the College an outstanding place where people achieve and go on to find career success.”