Hackney Community College is delighted to confirm it has appointed Annie Blackmore, currently Vice Principal at the Bridge Academy Hackney, as the Head of Hackney UTC. Subject to final sign-off of the UTC funding agreement in July, Annie will take up post on a part-time basis in the late Autumn beginning full-time in January 2012.

Annie helped to set up and develop the highly successful Bridge Academy, which is heavily oversubscribed and on target for over 70% of its students to achieve 5 good GCSEs, when its first starters complete key stage 4 in 2012. She is a very experienced educationalist, having previously been 14-19 advisor for the Learning Trust (Hackney's LEA) and Deputy Head at Clapton Girls Technology College. She has lived and worked in Hackney for more than 15 years.

Commenting on the appointment Annie said "This is a unique opportunity to set up the first UTC in London. I am thrilled to have the chance to continue working to improve opportunities for young people in East London, in partnership with Hackney Community College". Anthony Painter Chair of the Shadow UTC Board and Vice Chair of HCC Governors, who led the selection process said "This is a fantastic appointment of an excellent candidate as our Head and keeps us on track to run an outstanding UTC in Hackney".