A qualified accountant and highly experienced leader, Midlands-born Jatinder Sharma was appointed as Principal and Chief Executive of Walsall College in 2011, having previously held a number of senior positions in both the private and public sectors.

Jat is a passionate champion of the vital role that skills and training play in the development of the West Midlands economy and the ongoing regeneration of Walsall and the Black Country.

He is a board member of the Association of Colleges and chairs the AoC Sport Board, together with being a member of the Walsall 2040.  Other external roles include being a board member of World Skills and is a non-executive director of the Sandwell NHS Trust.

Jatinder was awarded a CBE in 2023 New Year Honours for his services to further education and is a Deputy Lord Lieutenant.