Dame Asha Khemka (born October 1951, in Sitamarhi, Bihar)Principal's life story inspires students. Chad, 2 November 2016, p.46. Accessed 2 January 2022 is a former educator who resigned as Principal and CEO from West Nottinghamshire College in late 2018 when the college experienced financial difficulties.High-profile college principal quits after warning over finances TES, 1 October 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2019Vision West Nottinghamshire College - About us Retrieved 18 December 2017.The Corporation - Executive Team, wncgroup.co.uk Retrieved 18 December 2017. She joined the college in 2006, succeeding Di McEvoy-Robinson.New Years Honour for West Notts chief Chad, local newspaper, 31 December 2013 Retrieved 31 December 2013 Prior to her resignation in October 2018 she was one of the highest paid in the sector.
Honours Khemka was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) as part of 2009 New Year Honours, presented by Elizabeth II, then The Queen, at Buckingham Palace in July 2009.New Year's Honours 2009 www.gov.uk. Retrieved 2 September 2026"College boss gets an OBE". Chad, 22 July 2009, p.26. Accessed 2 September 2026 In 2014, she was elevated to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, which was presented by Charles III, then titled Prince of Wales, again at Buckingham Palace."Asha receives Damehood" Chad, 19 March 2014, p.13. Accessed 9 June 2024
Khemka is the fourth woman of Indian origin to be awarded a damehood of the Order of the British Empire (DBE or GBE) since the orders were instituted in 1917, following, chronologically, Kaikhusrau Jahan, Begum of Bhopal (1917), Maharani Lakshmi Devi Bai Sahiba of Dhar State (1931), and Indira Patel (2011).
In 2017, she was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire, where she is a long-term resident.New Deputy Lieutenants appointed for Staffordshire Staffordshire Newsroom (Staffordshire County Council), 11 May 2017 Retrieved 5 February 2018. In April 2017, she was named Asian Businesswoman of the Year at a ceremony in Birmingham.
Other awards National Jewel Award for Excellence in Healthcare and Education, 2007 Asian Women of Achievement Award, 2008 Midlands Businesswoman of the Year, 2009 NRI Welfare Society of India Gold medal for her work in education as a non-resident Indian, 2010 Inspirational Woman of the Year, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, 2011 Business Personality of the Year, Ashfield and Mansfield Chad, 2011City and Guilds Trustee Board ; retrieved 4 February 2021. Overall Commitment to Apprenticeships (inaugural Asian Apprenticeship Awards, black and minority ethnic Asian community).Principal's pride in national accolade, Chad, 30 November 2016, p.50. Accessed 10 October 2021
Charity Khemka was the founder of the Inspire and Achieve Foundation, a mentoring organisation intended "...to help troubled, neglected and disadvantaged young people aged 16 to 26...", sometimes known as NEETS – Not in Employment, Education or Training."Inspirational charity is turning around the lives of young people in Nottinghamshire". Chad, 26 June 2013, pp.6-7. Accessed 13 May 2022About us The Inspire and Achieve Foundation. Retrieved 13 May 2022
Personal life Khemka is married to Shankar Lal Khemka, a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon. They have three children. She left education in the Bihar area of India at the age 13 and was married at 15. She travelled with her husband to live in the UK during 1978, where she first learned English by watching television and speaking to local people. After being a housewife for 20 years, she returned to education as a mature student, achieving a degree at Cardiff University, then secured her first career-step as a college business studies tutor.Principal shares life journey News Journal, November 2016, p.9
Controversy and resignation Khemka resigned on 1 October 2018, with 'immediate effect', following a special Board of Governors meeting. The college experienced serious financial irregularities throughout 2018 and prior, and has been placed in 'special measures', having been handed a "Notice To Improve" during July, 2018.High-profile college principal quits after warning over finances tes.com, 1 October 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2018Financial health notice to improve: Vision West Nottinghamshire College GOV.UK, 17 September 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2018
Prior to her resignation, Khemka was one of the highest paid principals/CEOs in the sector, with £275K in 2015/16 and £262K in 2016/17. In early 2019, Khemka was reported to have claimed in excess of £41K expenses over a three-year period.West Notts College ends use of corporate credit cards after former principal claimed £40k expenses 12 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.College ends use of corporate credit cards after its former principal claimed £40k expenses FE Week, 11 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019 FE Week reported that Khemka resigned without accepting a financial payout amounting to £130K.Exclusive: Embattled college boss Dame Asha declines her £130k payout FE Week, 9 November 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2019
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