Dave Cronin

David Cronin was Director of the International Office at City College Manchester until his retirement in August 2006. Since then he has worked as a consultant for a number of organisations, developing their International business.

David worked at City College for 30 years, initially as a lecturer, then as a European curriculum project manager, before setting up the discrete CCM International Office in September 1996. He was instrumental in increasing international student numbers from 70 in 1996 to over 600 in 2006, making CCM the leading destination for international students studying in the UK college sector. David was also responsible for developing and managing the international admissions, accommodation and student support systems of the college as well as taking management responsibility for the academic delivery of pre-degree programmes including the very successful International English Language centre, inaugurated in 2000.

David also has experience of setting up and managing programmes delivered overseas including the University of Manchester’s foundation programme in Beijing.

As one of the owners of China Pathways David oversees the marketing activities of the company as well as liaising with China Pathways partners in Beijing.

Paul Ricketts

Paul was the Vice Principal of City College Manchester, the largest FE college in the country from 1997 to 2008. He graduated from Liverpool University in 1969 and completed a Masters degree in management at Manchester Metropolitan University. Paul has worked in various sections of the education sector starting in secondary schools teaching Maths and Computing. He spent 9 years training secondary school teachers in West Africa, returning to the UK in 1982 as head of computing at a secondary school, before moving into the Further Education sector to manage IT staff development across Manchester in 1985.

He was the Senior Manager responsible for International Education at City College Manchester from 1997 until 2008, working with the college Corporation and the other members of the senior management team to establish International work as a core part of the college’s business. With his extensive knowledge of vocational education Paul has delivered presentations and seminars at several overseas conferences. He is also a member of the board of other organisations specialising in International Education.

Paul has travelled extensively and has first hand experience of the value of China Pathways ‘Work, Language, Culture’ programme.

Adrian Armstrong

Following a 15 year career in Further and Higher Education, Adrian Armstrong founded Armstrong Learning in 2001 with the aim of designing and delivering innovative educational and training programmes in both public and private sectors.

Armstrong Learning is now one of the leading private sector education and training providers of its type in the UK. Named as ‘one of the best training providers in the country’ by the Chief Inspector of Adult Learning in his 2004-05 report, Armstrong Learning delivers a range of programmes to UK Government customers such as Department for Work and Pensions and Jobcentre Plus. Its portfolio includes the unique ‘ New Deal for Musicians’ programme, which is delivered via a blended learning platform to 1000+ learners each year across England, using specially commissioned open learning materials designed by the company. Armstrong Learning also delivers ‘Mentoring’ programmes across the UK, all of which are aimed at improving people’s lives and moving them forward.

Adrian's skills in business, programme management and technology underpin the China Pathways programme. He has travelled extensively around China and is excited by the opportunity to turn our unique ‘Work – Language - Culture’ programme into reality. "Our intention is to create a life-changing experience for people who understand the huge impact that globalisation and China’s growth in particular will have on the world over the forthcoming decades."