Executive Director of Academic Services
James Nelson is an ex-student from Coleg Llandrillo, where he studied a National Diploma in Business
Studies, after which he progressed to Manchester Polytechnic and graduated with a degree in Business
& Finance.
Following graduation, James was successfully appointed as a Lecturer in IT, where he achieved MCSE,
CCNA accreditation and developed innovative Microsoft and Cisco Academy programmes in Higher
Education.
James then became the Quality Manager at Coleg Llandrillo, followed by promotion to the Director of
Quality and Curriculum, where he led on the implementation of Grŵp quality, planning and staff
development processes in the merger with Coleg Meirion Dwyfor.
James is a QAA Higher Education Review (HER) Peer Reviewer and led Grŵp Llandrillo Menai through its
HER review in 2016, which resulted in a commended judgement for enhancement and 6 examples of good
practice.
In 2017, James was appointed Executive Director Academic Services with Grŵp responsibility for
Skills, Quality & Performance, Curriculum Planning, Learning Support, Marketing, Learner
Services and Libraries.
In 2017, James led the institution as Nominee through the successful FE Inspection, which resulted in
8 Excellent judgements 7 Good judgements, and two case studies of "sector leading practice." James
is an Estyn Peer Inspector and has undertaken a number of Inspections of FE Colleges and Work Based
Learning Training providers.