Stuart Irvine Leaves Lasting Legacy

A dedicated community leader and proud Hartlepudlian is set to step down as Chair of the Board of Governors at Hartlepool College at the end of July.

Stuart Irvine, 47, will hand over to his successor, Haani Hasnain, after an eight-year journey on the board, including four pivotal years as Chair. During his time in the role, the College has navigated global challenges, delivered major transformation and secured its strongest financial position in recent memory.

He said: "I came in originally as chair of the audit committee, and as governors left, the opportunity came up for the chair role that I applied for. “Over the last eight years, it has been a privilege and an honour, and I am pleased I have played my small part in the college’s journey. We have provided an excellent further education offering in Hartlepool and the surrounding area.”

The role has always held personal meaning for Stuart. Born and bred in Hartlepool, he grew up on Burbank Street, a short walk from the College. He attended nearby Ward Jackson Primary, spent a year at Dyke House and completed his schooling at Brierton after his family moved to Rift House. Before beginning a successful corporate career, Stuart spent four years at Hartlepool United and continued to play semi-professional football until the age of 32.

His professional transition began with a part-time finance role at North Tees and Hartlepool. This led to an 18-year career in internal audit within the NHS. Today, he serves as Director of Assurance and Deputy Managing Director at University Hospitals Tees. Stuart is also a former Hartlepool College student. He completed an A Level in Sport Studies before continuing his academic journey through the Association of Accounting Technicians qualification and Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy. A defining part of Stuart’s leadership was guiding the College through the pandemic. Despite intense disruption, student achievement rates were maintained and increased in the years that followed. "Some of the achievements have been the significant challenge over the Covid period," Stuart said. "That still resonates because staff, students and all of our networks and partners had to adapt to different working arrangements, and we maintained student achievement rates during that difficult period." His tenure also included major milestones for the College.

In 2023, Hartlepool College celebrated a Good Ofsted rating and its 175th anniversary. The College also opened its Centre of Excellence for Fabrication and Welding, strengthening relationships with key industry partners and creating new opportunities for learners.

Darren Hankey, CEO and Principal at Hartlepool College, said: "Stuart has done a fantastic job, steadying the ship under his stewardship. We had to change the governors when, through Covid, there was financial intervention, and he has been on the board throughout all of that. We have consistently improved our students’ achievements and outcomes, and much of that has been under Stuart's stewardship. We are forever grateful.”

As he prepares to step down, Stuart leaves a legacy of high governance standards, transparency and collaboration. Stuart said: "We celebrate the staff's dedication and their resilience, and through staff retention, a commitment to transforming students' lives. We maintained exceptionally high standards of governance and operate openly and transparently. We are really lucky to have an experienced board of governors to help the college’s objectives. My personal thanks go to all the students, the staff, the senior leadership, the governors, and the numerous partners we work with daily. Handing over to Haani now, I am really optimistic about the college’s future. There are a lot of significant opportunities the college and board will need to consider, and I have full confidence in the new chair, the senior leadership team and the governors' board going forward."