A college principal knighted last year for services to further education has announced his retirement.

Sir Frank McLoughlin led City and Islington College (Candi) for 14 years, almost half of his 30-year career in further education.

He will be replaced in September by Candi’s deputy principal for curriculum and quality, Anna Douglas.

Sir Frank has first hand experience of further education as he took his own A-levels at night school after leaving school aged 15.

He went on to study politics at Leeds University and become a lecturer in further education.

Under his leadership, Candi – which has sites in Angel, Holloway and Finsbury Park – has become renowned for helping youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds achieve impressive results, particularly in science, technology, engineering and maths.

Sir Frank said: “It was when I first went to evening classes that I saw the transformative power and potential of learning. That experience defined my career.

“Over its 22 year history, City and Islington College has transformed thousands of lives by creating fantastic opportunities for further education in London.

“It has been a genuine honour and privilege to have been principal for 14 of those 22 years.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our staff and our students.”

As well as leading Candi, the largest education provider for 16 to 18-year-olds in London, Sir Frank is also an honorary fellow of City University London in Farrington, a member of the London Councils Young People’s Education and Skills Board and a member of the London First Employment and Skills Steering Group.

He was also a founding member and former chairman of the 157 Group, a network of large, urban college, as well as a former chairman of the Commission for Adult Vocational Teaching and Learning.

In August, he will add fellow of University College London (UCL) to his impressive CV.