AFTER 17 years at the helm of Kendal's outstanding college, principal and chief executive has announced he will be stepping down.

Having joined Kendal College in 2001, Graham Wilkinson has boosted the institution's turnover, helped young learners to flourish and provided local employers with a trained workforce.

"I've spent a lifetime doing this," he said, telling the Gazette that he had spent more than 30 years in teaching. "Learning to become a craftsman is something to be very proud of and we specialise here in turning out good craftsmen and women together with academic qualifications. For me to have a blend of the two during your career I think is just a wonderful thing."

Mr Wilkinson's own career began in the hospitality industry. Originally from Bury, he trained at a Swiss school specialising in culinary arts, he went on to become one of the chefs to HRH Queen Elizabeth.

He lived and worked at Buckingham Palace, travelling with the Royal Court to places including Balmoral Castle and Sandringham House.

The principal went on to gain an MSc in Business and Entrepreneurship from the University of Stirling and has taught in the hospitality and catering departments of Blackpool and The Flyde College as well as Lancaster and Morecambe College.

Over his tenure at Kendal College, more than £27million has been invested into college facilities and learning resources, including a state-of-the-art Creative Arts and Media campus and Engineering, Science and Technology Centre.

"What was very important to me is the facilities and equipment that the students have," Mr Wilkinson, who lives in the Lyth Valley, said. "We have worked tirelessly to make sure the students have access to state-of-the-art equipment.

"I think it's our moral duty to make sure our local industry have got the appropriate work force they need so that the area can grow."

Other highlights in Mr Wilkinson's time at the college include increasing turnover by £3million to £10.4million and seeing the college achieve an 'outstanding' rating from Ofsted.

Although he anticipates that some of his retirement will be spent heading to the fells with dog Jack and travelling in his new motorhome with partner Jane, Mr Wilkinson will not be stopping work entirely.

"I will become a consultant," he said. "And I will work on special projects, not necessarily in education.

"One dream would be to have in this neck of the woods an international hotel school and I'd love to spearhead that development whether it be on a voluntary or paid basis."

He hopes that the college will go on to have a 'long and sustainable future'. Another 17 years down the line, he would like to see it double its turnover to the £20million mark.

And although economically the college has thrived under Mr Wilkinson's watch, he is also rightly proud of his 'incredible' staff and the students that have gone on to succeed in their fields - some of whom he still sees when out for dinner thanks to the college's fantastic culinary reputation.

"I went to a function last year and one of the chefs recognised me," he said. "I was there in my casual gear and he said 'excuse me are you the principal of Kendal College?'

"He said: 'You know you've got an amazing college' and it nearly made me cry. I've got to that stage where I'm now retiring and it's hitting me in the face, so forgive my emotion.

"I'll be so sad to leave and I'll definitely miss everything about the place."

Mr Wilkinson will officially leave in May next year. Interviews for the college's new principal and chief executive will commence in December with a view to the successful applicant taking up post towards the end of May.