The board of Leeds City College has appointed Peter Roberts as chief executive of one of the UK’s largest further education colleges.

Mr Roberts is currently principal of Stockport College. He will take up the post in July.

In his seven years at Stockport he has turned the college’s fortunes around to achieve “beacon status”, winning a number of national accolades. Ofsted inspectors praised his “inspiring” and “outstanding” leadership.

Neil McLean, chairman of the board of governors, said: “I am delighted that Peter has agreed to accept one of the biggest and most prestigious jobs in further education. The board believes that he has the drive, experience and passion to make Leeds City College an outstanding institution that will provide the skills and training for a world class city.

“Competition for the post was strong and the governors were impressed by the calibre of all candidates. Peter is a very experienced and well respected educational leader with a national profile and a strong track record in leading major organisational and cultural change. I am confident that his appointment will ensure that Leeds City College gets off to the best possible start.”

Mr McLean also paid tribute to the existing principals of Leeds College of Technology, Leeds Thomas Danby and Park Lane College which are due to be dissolved on 31 March 2009. He said: “I want to thank them for their tremendous professionalism, dedication and commitment in helping create a college that will have such a positive impact on Leeds and the city region.”

Mr Roberts, who was deputy principal at York College before he joined Stockport, said: “I am very pleased to be offered the opportunity of turning the vision for Leeds City College into reality. This is one of the most exciting and significant jobs in further education. I am very much looking forward to working with staff, students, parents, employers and the wider Leeds community to create a college with an enviable national reputation.”

Students and employees of the existing three colleges will automatically transfer to the new institution on April 1 2009. Leeds City College will be the biggest educational institute in Leeds with 45,000 students and a turnover of £70m a year.