Tributes Paid to Former Local College CEO Garry Phillips

---

Sudden death announced six months after leaving Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College

Friends and colleagues from the further education sector have paid tribute to Garry Phillips, the former CEO of Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College, who died suddenly in December.

Mr Phillips, 47, was also the former principal of New College Telford and more recently, principal of City College Plymouth from summer this year until he resigned in November.

Mr Phillips was found dead by his wife in his family home on 22 December, within a month of his resignation.

City College Plymouth announced his death, saying: "It is with great sadness that we heard that Garry Phillips has tragically and unexpectedly passed away. Garry’s family have asked that their grief and privacy is respected at this time."

An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned on 31 December, with a full inquest expected later in the year.

An opening statement at the inquest said: "His wife had left the family home on 22 December 2018 and when she returned later that day she found Garry deceased. There are no suspicious circumstances."

The statement also said: "Mr Phillips had recently lost his job in London and this had caused him to worry about family finances."

David Hughes, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, said: "Garry’s death is a great shock and very sad indeed. I last spoke to him in December about his future plans and my thoughts are now with his family.

"He worked hard as the principal at New College Telford and Ealing Hammersmith and West London and then briefly at City College Plymouth.

"He started his career as an apprentice and took on a series of challenges in colleges in the North West and Midlands. He was always keen to make a difference and to improve the world.”

Friends joining him in paying tribute on social media included Yvonne Ogorek-Zarate, head of skills pathway at Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College, who said: "Worked as part of Garry’s SLT at Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College. Very sharp and intelligent leader. Dedicated to the sector. Thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Mr Phillips' career in further education spanned more than two decades, and during his four years at Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College, between 2014 and 2018, its Ofsted grade improved from inadequate to good.

Before leaving the college last summer, he said: "I have enjoyed my time at WLC and the many achievements we have made together as a team, not least achieving an Ofsted good. I will continue to focus on our core business over the next few months and to ensure we grow and improve the College’s offer and provision.

"I would like to thank you all in advance for your support in what we have, and what we will continue, to achieve."

The college, now simply called West London College, has four campuses in Ealing, Southall, Park Royal and Gliddon Road in Hammersmith, where it is now called Hammersmith & Fulham College.

January 10, 2019