Resident computer expert Peter Vaughan has been shortlisted for a prestigious QIA National STAR Award. The Awards, which are given by the Quality Improvement Agency, are for ‘unsung heroes’ of the further education and skills sector. Peter was nominated in the category of Support for his work in creating and improving information systems across the College.

As City of Westminster College’s Management Information Development Officer (MIDO), Peter works tirelessly to improve the way the College gathers and analyses data and monitors performance. This helps staff share information with each other and improve the services they offer to students and business partners.

Among Peter’s many contributions are a MiData Website that converts the College’s various different computer systems into one convenient and easy-to-use portal accessed via the College intranet. Peter is continually improving and adding to systems across the College, helping with areas such as monitoring attendance and achievement, course information and customer relations management.

Peter has worked at the College for over 20 years and held various teaching roles, including IT lecturer and Head of School, before taking on the role of MIDO. His great skill in designing ‘techie stuff’ is matched by an even more impressive ability to explain things in clear and engaging terms to less computer-minded colleagues.

College Principal Robin Shreeve, who nominated Peter for the STAR Award, said: “Peter regularly attends Course, Faculty and Service staff meetings to gauge users’ needs and he’s always available to help. He likes nothing better than a new challenge or problem to solve.”

Peter said: “Being nominated for this award means an awful lot to me. I still use my teaching skills to engage with people and I enjoy improving the accuracy and quality of information across the College. I travel in every day from Northampton so that shows just how much I like my job!”

The QIA Awards National Ceremony takes place at Old Billingsgate, London on 24 November in front of an invited audience of staff and learners. Special guests include Minister of State for Higher Education David Lammy MP.