Meet the Governors

I am delighted to be Chair of Corporation at Cirencester College where I have been a governor since 2021.

My professional background includes 25 years as a military intelligence officer in the Army, including service in Bosnia, Cyprus, Iraq, Afghanistan, United States, Germany and various locations across the UK. After the Army, I moved to Cirencester and into business, establishing a career change consultancy based in Farm 491, co-located with the Cirencester Growth Hub. More recently, I have been working with Buckinghamshire New University, which places great emphasis on providing educational pathways to under-represented sectors of our national community, to develop and deliver a technical degree in Intelligence, Security and Resilience. I am also a proud “REACT Responder” answering the call when floods and other emergencies threaten the welfare of affected communities across the UK. I hold a BSc (Hons) in Contemporary East European Affairs and Masters degrees in Defence Studies and Rural Land Management.

I had long wanted to be a governor at this excellent and inspiring college, having previously served as Chair of Governors at a service school overseas and then as a Focus Governor at a school in Swindon. I have seen what a positive impact an active and committed board can have when working with dedicated staff and students.

Every time I come into college, I am impressed anew with the passion of students and staff across the wide range of opportunities available. It is clear that our amazing new facilities are inspiring everyone to achieve even more. I believe strongly in the power of partnership, collaboration and cooperation and will continue to work with the community and local employers to deepen our connections for the benefit of all.

About me

Alongside extensive public sector experience in local government, business and commercial knowledge were shaped early in my career through various roles in the private sector, including international banking.

As Chief Executive of Cirencester Town Council, I have put the skills and knowledge I have to full benefit through effective corporate management, community partnerships and innovative youth projects, such as Ozone and Ideas into Action.
I am currently involved with various projects including neighbourhood planning, town centre master planning and the launch of the Cotswold New Start Network, a partnership with Cotswold District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions to support young people into employment.

In 2017, as part of my MBA and a secondment with the National Association of Local Councils, I researched building capacity and capabilities at a local level to support the social, environmental, and economic well-being of town and parish communities. This led to a change in government policy relating to local government finance. Subsequently, I have undertaken various national policy advisory roles and supported all-party parliamentary groups on issues such as housing, planning and loneliness.
I am married to the Head Chef of a local restaurant, and we have two sons currently at Cirencester College.

My experience of being a Governor

This is my first role as Governor of an education corporation, and I have been a Governor since September 2021. I have a broad range of strategic leadership and management skills and experience in other corporate governance roles as Clerk and Company Secretary to a charitable trust, Director Trustee of the Steadings Community Management Trust, and a former Non-Executive Director of SLCC Enterprises Ltd.

My experience of Cirencester College

The success and culture of the College are built upon a foundation of strong senior leadership and corporate governance. It is a place in which every young person, whatever their background and wherever they are at now, is valued and can shape their lives for the future. Our students also have an intrinsic part to play in the life of the College and wider community.

A career in education is always changing, challenging, at times frustrating but exceptionally rewarding. Being part of a person’s discovery of learning is a privilege and one I have been lucky enough to experience in a long and extremely varied working life in the secondary, post-16 and adult sectors both in this country and abroad.

The last twenty-five years, until my retirement in 2018, I was fortunate to work at Cirencester Sixth Form College in roles ranging from curriculum development, pastoral care, customer service, middle and senior management. The opportunity to be part of the growth of a college which holds student progress and well-being as its central goal and, despite growth, maintains an outstanding caring and stimulating community ethos is priceless. I am very proud to be associated with Cirencester College, my daughter went to the College and demonstrated that this bridge between school and life is by far the best place for so many young people. Watching confidence flourish in our students has been an enduring pleasure. When the opportunity arose to join the Corporation, I was delighted to apply. I hope that I can continue in this supportive role for next, exciting phase of the College’s growth. With a specific focus on Safeguarding, student well-being and student voice, I hope to put my experience in these areas to good use.

For over twenty years, I have served on the Board of Trustees at Cirencester Kingshill and I thoroughly enjoy my involvement in this 11-16 comprehensive school, keeping my knowledge of this sector current and being able to specialise in curriculum, pastoral, staffing and student well-being, my areas of greatest interest. I am looking forward to combining these roles to continue my involvement and passion for education.