Our Town, Our Future
Our Town, Our Future introduces you to the passionate individuals behind Dewsbury Neighbourhood Board. This month we’re talking to Palvinder Singh.
Palvinder is the Principal and CEO of Kirklees College. His experience in further education spans over two decades. During his leadership, Kirklees College has overcome previous financial and structural challenges but is now firmly on an upwards trajectory – recently securing a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted.
On the Board, he is a key player in championing the transformative potential of further education, believing strongly in its capacity to positively change lives and the local community.
Tell me a bit about you and why you got involved with Dewsbury Neighbourhood Board?
I was born and brought up in Kirklees and even studied at Kirklees College myself, back when it was still called Huddersfield Technical College. I know the area and its communities inside and out.
Dewsbury, in particular, is a town with a remarkable story. It has a rich industrial heritage, a long history of lots of success and a proven ability to reinvent itself.
The Neighbourhood Board plays a vital role in shaping the future of the community and supporting the regeneration of Dewsbury but also enhancing the town’s ability to strengthen the wider economic landscape of West Yorkshire.
As a professional and an individual, what do you bring to the Board?
My role in education is key because it’s about inspiring ambition, nurturing aspiration, and developing the skills that will drive our future economy. It also requires a clear understanding of the context we operate in and the realities that shape our environment.
I believe I bring this awareness to the Board and through my leadership experience, I aim to contribute a sense of optimism and provide clear connections between the education pathway and our local economy.
I’m committed to staying focused on the long-term path of redevelopment, staying to the core purpose, even when progress feels slow. Diplomacy, reassurance and consistency are essential in that journey.
Part of the role is creating space for the frustrations that come when things don’t move quickly enough, while also adapting to external pressures like inflation, shifts in government, or structural changes. It’s so important in spite of these to stick to the core mission of improving Dewsbury. That’s why groups like the Board are so important, as it brings people together who are genuinely committed to supporting the town’s future.
It’s going to get better, it is going to improve. You’ll soon start to see visible changes such as the police station, the bus station, the Pioneer Centre and the higher education centre in the heart of town. The foundations will soon be in place. Major redevelopment projects like the market and the Arcade are progressing, and once they come together, I truly believe they will act as a real catalyst for change.
What’s been one of the biggest challenges or misconceptions about Dewsbury that you’d like to help change, and how would you do that?
Dewsbury often carries an unfair perception that because big parts of the town centre are run down, people assume it’s unsafe. The relocation of the Kirklees police headquarters will make a real difference. A stronger police presence will help people feel more secure and more confident about spending time in the town.
We also need to make Dewsbury a destination. It needs to be a vibrant hub where people want to visit, enjoy socialising, eat, and spend their leisure time.
This takes time but it is happening.
What excites you the most about Dewsbury?
Dewsbury is a really beautiful town. Its layout within the ring road, the way the buildings connect, and the natural flow of the town centre is a real asset.
As devolution continues, Dewsbury is going to play an increasingly important role in powering the engine room of the West Yorkshire economy. Its position on the M62 corridor and its place within the Northern rail upgrade put it right at the heart of future growth.
Dewsbury will be well placed to serve the bigger surrounding economies like Leeds and Bradford. It’s only a matter of time before people start figuring this out and start investing in the town.
When that happens, employers will follow. They’ll see the value for money, the strong infrastructure, and the excellent connectivity. Dewsbury offers a fantastic return on investment, that gives me real optimism.
This momentum will attract new entrepreneurs, spark new opportunities and will motivate people to develop their own business ideas.
What project will make the biggest difference to Dewsbury and why?
For me, the standout project is the construction hub, which was approved before I joined the Board. It’s a partnership with the college, designed to create a dedicated construction skills offering right here in Dewsbury.
The hub will be predominantly to build skills that lead directly to the bigger impact of boosting employment and trades in the area. The project has already gained real traction with students, which shows just how much demand there is.
The economy desperately needs construction skills – it's a well‑paid sector that underpins growth across the region. There is sometimes a stigma that surrounds careers in construction. In reality, the sector offers an incredible range of career pathways for people of all genders, ages and backgrounds. Opportunities span from skilled trades through to project management, finance and health and safety.
What’s your favourite part of Dewsbury?
I really love the space in front of the town hall, especially the way it opens up toward the High Street. Also where the two arches lead into the market – is a really beautiful space.
The arrival from the train station is another highlight, where they’ve incorporated greenery and how you’re hit with the contrast of the striking architecture against the landscape of the hills behind it. The landscape is really quite spectacular.
If you had to describe Dewsbury in three words, what would they be?
Dewsbury’s a very passionate town.
There is a lot of creativity there.
And it’s got lots of opportunity.
What’s your go-to independent spot?
There’s a little coffee shop which is my go-to called Cloggs Café. It’s a spot that really shows to the community that there is room in Dewsbury for more independent businesses and shops.
What do you love the most about the people of Dewsbury?
For me, one of things I love most is meeting my students in Dewsbury.
Something I’ve experienced numerous times, is when I’ve been in town and students invited me to sit with them and share their lunch. It was such a simple gesture but it spoke volumes about the cultural warmth and generosity that exists in the town. It’s such a beautiful thing.
There is something special about Dewsbury where there’s a silent majority who are just amazing people but they don’t shout about it, they just get on with it. I also remember a time where I received a letter from the grandchild of a local resident, telling me that one of our students had helped their grandparent who was lost and confused. The students are a real credit to the college, but more than that, they are a real credit to the town.
There is far more good in Dewsbury than we often realise. It’s a town with deep history, a strong legacy and a track record of success. And it will be successful again. It just take patience, belief and a clear vision.