One of the region's leading figures in rural agricultural and land-based education has retired after an illustrious career spanning more than 30 years.

Andrew Counsell’s time in education saw the establishment of Duchy College Stoke Climsland and Duchy College Rosewarne in Cornwall as some of the leading land-based and rural colleges in the region.

Chief executive and principal of The Cornwall College Group (TCCG) Raoul Humphreys said: “Andrew has made an outstanding contribution to the college and the land-based sector during his long career in education and with the group.

“On a personal note, I will miss his energy, infectious enthusiasm and drive; we have worked together for a long time and I wish him all the best for his retirement; he has left an unparalleled legacy of entrepreneurship and excellence at Duchy College and Bicton College, which the sector will continue to benefit from, for years to come.”

Mr Counsell's career began within the equestrian industry as a rider and in 1979 he moved to Holland to show jump and took up the sport of carriage driving. He spent time in Germany riding and followed a parallel career in carriage driving, competing and training nationally and internationally, but his mum told him, “you need to get yourself a proper job”!

With that he joined Bicton College in 1986, now part of The Cornwall College Group (TCCG), as a lecturer in equine studies and in 1990 joined Duchy College as head of the equestrian department. In 2005 he became Principal of the Duchy College, a title he proudly retained until his retirement at the end of December 2017.

Mr Counsell's main achievements include offering thousands of young people the opportunity to study and gain qualifications in courses in the rural sector - supporting an ethos of life-long learning, the establishment of the Rural Business School, which was awarded the Queens Anniversary Prize in 2014, and numerous other initiatives which have collectively enhanced the life chances, knowledge exchange and expertise of those working in the land-based sector.

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