Member Article

Abbey College Manchester unveils major building investment

Guest of honour, Chief Executive Officer of the Alpha Plus Group, Julian Drinkall joined Liz Elam, Principal of Abbey College Manchester, college staff and students to officially open its new £100,000 landmark building investment in the form of a new ground floor extension.

The city-centre-based independent college is dedicated to providing best in class facilities for its students, and the investment is testament to its steadfast commitment to ensuring it meets this end. The major new assets also consolidates the college’s position as a key player in the local business community, continuing its investment in the city centre and ensuring it continues to thrive.

The new ground floor extension will increase the overall floor space in the college by ten per cent. It will house a well-equipped ICT suite, including the latest hardware and software; a contemporary reception centre, along with an administrative office, meeting room, toilets and a welcoming visitor area.

This latest development follows on from a significant investment in 2012, when the then Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Elaine Boyes, attended the college to officially open a new science laboratory, an apple mac suite housing the latest software to contribute to enhanced photography courses, a quiet learning and IT zone within the refurbished common room area, and a new staircase and foyer with a digital display.

Mr Drinkall is new to his role as Chief Executive Officer of the Alpha Plus Group, having previously worked in high profile roles including President and CEO of Cengage Learning, Head of the BBC’s Financial and Commercial Strategy, and CEO of Macmillan Education. Mr Drinkall was educated at Eton and Oxford University and has an MBA from Harvard.

Liz Elam, Principal of Abbey College Manchester, commented: “The opening ceremony is a wonderful celebration of such an important investment, marking the culmination of months of planning. The investment not only represents advancement in the standard of facilities that we are able to provide to our students and patrons of Abbey College Manchester, but also to the city as a whole.”

Abbey College Manchester is a leading independent college in the heart of Manchester, with a fast-growing and vibrant community. There are around 229 students at the college, located just off King Street, 75% of whom are from the local area with the remainder from other countries. Most students are undertaking A Level programmes with the remainder studying BTEC courses or GCSEs. As part of the Alpha Plus Group, Abbey College Manchester aims to maintain a ‘gold standard’ of educational quality. Classes are small, enabling teachers to provide a supportive and professional educational experience, specifically tailored towards the individual student.

The college offers well-equipped, modern teaching accommodation and students are encouraged to take advantage of the resources the city has to offer to help with learning and personal development.

For more information on Abbey College visit www.abbeymanchester.co.uk, or call 0161 817 2700.

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