My father, Ron Barden, who has died aged 95, was a leader in further education, a charity trustee and treasurer. He had a strong belief in education as the key to opportunity.
As principal of Northampton College of Further Education, which he led for almost 20 years, Ron expanded the courses and apprenticeships on offer and established outposts at local prisons. Working with prisoners led to his appointment to the Parole Board in 1985. By the time he retired in 1995, the college was one of the largest outside metropolitan areas.
