William spent his whole professional life in adult education, beginning at Kingsgate College in 1969. He chose to ‘downshift’ at the age of 50 in order to bring quality back into his life. His last full time post was as Principal of The City Lit in London, one of Europe’s largest colleges of adult education. He had previously served as Principal of Manchester’s Adult Education College, and as Warwickshire’s County Adviser for Adult Education.
Since early retirement, William has lectured widely for many public bodies, including the University of Cambridge and the WEA, in addition to speaking to many clubs and societies.
William has served on numerous Boards including that of The Central School of Speech and Drama, Wansfell College, and The Extramural Department of The University of Manchester; He has served as Chair of Education for Development, of a National Literacy Project, of The Life Academy’s Professional Board and of North Essex Adult Community College. He has acted as consultant to organisations including London Metropolitan University, Bishopsgate Institute, The Galatea Trust, and The Council of Europe. In the 1980s and 1990s he served as Chair of The Council of Europe’s Working Party on Older Learners.
William is a Freeman of the City of London. William was awarded the MBE in 2009 for services to adult education and continues to lecture to audiences worldwide.
