Alison Ritchie is to become Chair of Roffey Park from 22 May 2009, succeeding Val Hammond who is stepping down after six years in the role.

Alison joined the Board of Roffey Park Institute six years ago and is a member of the Board’s Sub-Committees on Risk Management and Public Benefit. Since 2006 she has served as Chair of Roffey Park Services, the trading subsidiary of Roffey Park Institute.  

Alison's career for over 24 years was in telecommunications at BT and she was the first woman to be appointed to the most senior executive committee in BT. Senior roles with the company included Group Procurement Director, Group Regulatory Affairs Director, Chief Executive of BTopenworld, (BT's internet company) and Chief Broadband Officer.

She also served as Chair of BT’s Corporate Social Responsibility Steering Group and was a member of the company’s plc Board Sub-Committee on Community Support. Non-BT interests have included director roles at Partnership Sourcing Ltd and the British Quality Foundation. In 2007, Alison spent a year attached to London Business School's Women in Business Centre as Executive-in-Residence.

Michael Jenkins, Chief Executive of Roffey Park, paid tribute to outgoing Chair Val Hammond, who will continue to serve as a Member of the Institute’s Board. “Val has served Roffey Park with great dedication and skill over the last 16 years. She has made a tremendous contribution, first as Chief Executive and, following her retirement from that role in 2003, as Chair of the Board. I am delighted she is to still play an active part as a member of Roffey Park’s Board, and we value the experience and expertise she will continue to share.”

Commenting on the election of Alison Ritchie as Chair, Michael said: “Alison brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role, plus a strong track record in industry. She is ideally placed to build on past success so we can continue to grow Roffey Park as a leading player in management education.”