A FORMER national kickboxing champion has been appointed as the new principal of one of Basingstoke’s biggest education establishments.

Anthony Bravo, 46, is gearing up to take over from Judith Armstrong at Basingstoke College of Technology (BCOT) – and he is setting his sights high.

“I’m looking forward to it. It’s very exciting – a place with so much potential,” he said. “I want BCOT to over-deliver and exceed expectations.

“That’s my priority – to bring that culture into the teaching.”

Mr Bravo was born in north London but spent some of his early years in Church Crookham, near Fleet.

Despite qualifying as a teacher in Newcastle after gaining a degree in Agriculture and Environmental Science, he initially went to work in the private sector, becoming Marks & Spencer’s first black graduate management trainee.

However, he returned to the world of education and has spent the past 20 years in inner city further education. In 2003, he was appointed principal of Crossways Academy in Lewisham, south London.

Mr Bravo said he would bring energy, passion and the opportunity for people to fulfil themselves to his latest job, which he starts in July.

“I’m a great enabler or facilitator,” he said. “I make things happen. My absolute priority is the learning experience and making sure learners have a great experience.”

He said his other priorities are the college’s use of information technology and developing links with employers.

As a former national kickboxing champion and a cyclist for England, Mr Bravo is an active man.

He still practices his kickboxing once a week and wants to set up a club at BCOT.

The father-of-two also likes spending time with his children and walking.

Energy is a popular word with Mr Bravo and he said it was a quality he found in the BCOT staff, which they displayed in abundance during a visit to Crossways.

And he praised Ms Armstrong – who is retiring in July after a 20-year association with the college, including nearly six years in the principal’s post – saying: “Thank you so much for setting things up so brilliantly.”

Mike Rushworth, chairman of the college’s board of corporation, said replacing Ms Armstrong had presented them with a difficult challenge, but they shortlisted six “very high standard” candidates before picking Mr Bravo.

He said: “In Anthony, we have a leader that is a dedicated educator, a determined leader and, above all, someone who is committed to people, both students and staff.”