Association of Colleges

Martin Doel, OBE

Martin Doel took up his appointment as Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges(AoC) in 2008, after a successful career in the Royal Air Force. AoC's role is to represent and support the interests of Further Education, Sixth Form and Specialist Colleges and to provide them with a range of support services. Martin's final appointment in his former career was as the Director of Training and Education for all 3 Armed Services, working in the Ministry of Defence; the MOD is the largest employer of apprentices in the UK. Prior to this he filled several operational support, personnel and training posts in the RAF, including service as the equivalent of a Director of Studies at the Joint Services Command and Staff College providing post-graduate level education to officers from across the world. He has published articles on military assistance in humanitarian aid operations and strategic planning. He was appointed OBE in 1998 for his work in support of operations in the Balkans and for his contribution to Anglo-German relations. He holds a Masters Degree with Distinction from King's College, London and a First Class Honours Degree in Education from King Alfred's College Winchester.