City College Plymouth has appointed Brigadier Mike Tanner OBE, PhD, DL, Royal Marines as its new Director of Regional Defence and Security Skills, strengthening the College’s leadership at a pivotal time for defence education and workforce development in the South West.
Mike joins the College following an exceptional military career spanning almost 40 years in the Royal Marines, most recently serving as Commander of HM Naval Base Devonport. Throughout his distinguished service, he has led major defence operations, strategic capability programmes, and large-scale organisational change, and he brings unrivalled leadership experience, strategic insight, and an extensive understanding of the UK’s evolving defence landscape to this newly-created role.
His appointment follows City College Plymouth’s designation as one of only five Defence Technical Excellence Colleges (DTECs) in the UK. In his new position, Mike will lead the strategic development of the College’s defence and security skills provision, working closely with government, industry and regional partners to ensure learners are equipped with the skills needed for careers across sectors including nuclear, naval, cyber security, advanced manufacturing and autonomous systems.
Jackie Grubb, Chief Executive of City College Plymouth, said:
“Mike’s appointment comes at an incredibly important moment for the College following our DTEC designation. His outstanding military career, strategic leadership, and first-hand understanding of the defence sector will help shape and strengthen our defence and security curriculum as we continue to develop the next generation of skilled professionals.”
“For students choosing to study with us, they can have real confidence in knowing that our defence and security programmes are being guided by someone who has dedicated almost four decades to serving the nation at the very highest level. Mike’s experience, insight and connections across the sector will be invaluable in ensuring our courses remain relevant, ambitious, and closely aligned to the needs of employers, creating exceptional opportunities for our learners and supporting the continued growth of Plymouth as Britain’s Defence City.”
Mike Tanner said:
“My time in the Royal Marines has shown me time and again that success hinges on two things – creating a winning strategy and enabling people to fulfil that strategy.”
“Plymouth stands on the precipice of transformation predicated on huge defence investment. We’ve seen the Government’s announcements naming Plymouth as the National Centre for Marine Autonomy and investing in the Naval Base’s ability to maintain nuclear submarines for the next 50 plus years. The winning strategy is already coming together, linking national ambition with local and regional delivery.”
“The next step is to make sure Plymouth and the South West matches that national ambition with appropriately skilled people. City College Plymouth will be the hub of that development, ensuring that the skills needed by defence industrial partners are captured in training courses here and across our network, putting well-paid defence jobs into the hands of local people and attracting new defence companies to the area.”
“After almost 40 years, it feels like the right time to hang up my uniform, but focusing on people and skills means I can continue serving the future of Plymouth, the South West and UK defence. It is a privilege to be joining City College Plymouth at such an exciting time.”
Mike’s appointment further reinforces City College Plymouth’s commitment to supporting the growth of Britain’s Defence City by developing the skilled workforce needed to meet future demand. Through close collaboration with employers, government and industry, the College continues to create opportunities for learners while helping to secure the long-term success of the regional and national defence sector.
