The former principal of Truro and Penwith College has been made an OBE in the the 2020 New Year's Honours List.

David Walrond, who recently retired as principal of the colleges and remains current chair of trustees at Callywith College, will become an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his services to further education in Cornwall.

David said of the award: “It is wonderful to be honoured in this way. What is being recognised of course is the vital work for Cornwall of two remarkable institutions and the many outstanding colleagues who have made them what they are.”

The colleges said David had been instrumental in the development of successful further education in Cornwall.

He became principal of Truro and Penwith College in 2010, having joined in 2003 as director of curriculum and quality.

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During his ten years as principal, the college has seen major growth in its 16-19 learners and apprenticeships, completed the redevelopment of the new Penwith campus, and in 2017 created a major new campus at Callywith, Bodmin, to serve the whole of north and east Cornwall.

In 2013, David was designated as National Leader in Education - one of only two further education college principals in that role.

In 2016 Truro and Penwith College achieved both Ofsted outstanding status and the TEF Gold Award (Teaching Excellence Framework) for Higher Education.

David is a founder member of the pre-16 Truro and Penwith Academy Trust which the college established.

Other accolades during this period include winning the National Beacon Awards for Leadership and Governance in 2016, and for Support for Mental Health and Wellbeing, in 2017. That year Truro and Penwith was also awarded the Association of Colleges' highest “Leading Light” Award.

David was instrumental in the opening of Callywith College in Bodmin, one of the few purpose-built new colleges to open in the UK in recent times.

He continues to serve as chair of trustees at the College, which in 2020 also received Ofsted outstanding status in its first inspection.

As well as his continuing role with Callywith College, David also serves as a director on the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership and sits on the Truro Town Board.

Living in rural Cornwall, David enjoys a busy family life and, in what he describes as ‘semi-retirement’, has more time for walking, music and travel.

Others receiving awards in Cornwall are: 

MBE

  • Mark Bignell, chief executive of Hamoaze House - For services to People with Problematic Use of Alcohol and Other Substances in Plymouth (Fowey, Cornwall)
  • Jacqueline Burt, chair of Brain Injury Social Work Group - For services to People with Brain Injuries (Stoke Climsland, Cornwall) 
  • Derek Goodwin - For services to the Study of Fish Populations in Cornwall (Perranporth, Cornwall)
  • Nigel Payne, Lately Chair of Professional Jockeys Association - For services to British Horseracing and to Charity, particularly during the Covid-19 Response (Launceston, Cornwall)