Fiona's leaving college role 26 years after she spotted ad in Gazette

A COLLEGE finance boss is saying goodbye after almost three decades of helping to balance the books.

- By LORNA HUGHES

Fiona Sharp started as a part-time finance officer at Bede Sixth Form College in Billingham - at the time the smallest sixth form college in the country - and spotted the job in the Gazette.

Her role has grown in the 26 years since, with Fiona bowing out as chief financial officer for what is now the Education Training Collective (Etc.).

The education group incorporates Bede Sixth Form College, NETA Training, Innersummit, Redcar and Cleveland College and Stockton Riverside College.

Her colleagues describe her as "mild mannered but with a fierce head for numbers" and say she is a hugely popular member of staff.