Head of exams to leave the NCTJ

Joanne Aitchison, the NCTJ’s head of examinations, is to leave her role before the end of the year to return to her native Liverpool.

Joanne joined the NCTJ in 2004 as shorthand administrator, moving swiftly to NCE controller, senior examinations controller and examinations manager.  In her role as head of examinations, she is responsible for the delivery of all NCTJ exams, including quality control, co-ordinating marking and moderation and managing the exams team.

She will continue at the NCTJ until her successor is appointed and fully trained.

News of her departure was announced to staff on Monday, 8 August by Joanne Butcher, chief executive, who said:

“Joanne informed me recently of her personal reasons for deciding to return to Liverpool.  I am grateful that she is keen to continue in the role to assist with her successor’s training and to help with other changes to the exams team. 

“Joanne is one of the NCTJ’s senior team members and has built up a huge bank of exams knowledge and expertise as well as sound management skills which will be sorely missed by the organisation.  It has been wonderful to watch her develop her career here over the last seven years and I’m sorry she has decided to step down.  Joanne was perfectly suited to what is a challenging role and it will take someone very special to come even close to filling her shoes.”

Joanne Aitchison said:  “It was a really difficult decision to make to leave the NCTJ. I am extremely grateful to Joanne for giving me the opportunity, guidance and support she has over the past seven years and I am certainly going to miss her and the team. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to see the NCTJ evolve into a multimedia organisation and to have played a part in gaining awarding body recognition from Ofqual.”