Former Attorney General Larry Mussenden has stepped down as chairman of Bermuda College after 19 months in the post.

The Ministry of Education said it had accepted his resignation due to increased private commitments which meant he could not longer serve on the board.

Education Minister Randy Horton said a new chairman would be announced shortly. He added: "I am very grateful to Larry for his service to this Government, the board, faculty, staff and students of the Bermuda College and the country as a whole.

"I speak for everyone at the Bermuda College in stating how much we appreciated his service and wish him well in his future endeavours."

Mr. Mussenden said he was honoured to have worked with fellow governors committed to the development of the college.

"I have enjoyed my time as chairman of the board but I now want to concentrate on other commitments which include working in a busy commercial law firm, my role as president of the Bermuda Football Association and other personal interests," he said.

When Mr. Mussenden was appointed at the end of November 2006 he was the fourth chairman the college had had that year.

Former PLP Senator Raymond Tannock was chairman at the start of the year but was replaced by Nalton Brangman, who was sacked nine months later while in the middle of an investigation into college spending ordered by the Government's Public Accounts Committee.

Mr. Brangman's successor was former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith but she stood down after less than three weeks in the job.