In a surprise move the board of Moray College UHI have sacked their Principal just months after his appointment to the post.
The College announced yesterday that Frank Hughes had been removed from his post with immediate effect, although they have not provided a reason behind the decision.
However, the board have stressed that Mr Hughes had not been involved in any misconduct or improper behaviour.
Frank Hughes was appointed to the post in August last year and had only recently been involved in a meeting with Moray’s MSP, Richard Lochhead, with no indications of any imminent changes to the management structure at the College.
Announcing that Mr Hughes had been sacked a spokeswoman for Moray College UHI said: “There has been no misconduct or improper behaviour involved at all.”
The Leader of Moray Council, Stewart Cree, expressed his surprise at the move, telling the P&J: “This is a surprise to me – I have no idea why the college has made this move, in any dealings I have had with Frank he has seemed to be a great ambassador for Moray College.”
Local MSP Richard Lochhead also said that he was taken by surprise at the decision: “I’m sure the board will recognise the need to deliver stability as quickly as possible to ensure the college can move forward and deliver for students, staff and the wider community in Moray.”
Mr Hughes had worked as a hospitality management lecturer for 13 years at Moray College UHI and in 1999 was appointed as programme manager of the hospitality and tourism department before his appointment last year as a permanent replacement for Mike Devenney.
He had previously worked at Stafford College and the Aberdeen campus of the North East College.