Our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan is designed to empower our students, apprentices, and community, equipping them with the skills and opportunities to build brilliant futures.
Principal and Chief Executive
I was appointed to the position of Principal & Chief Executive at York College & University Centre in March 2024, having fulfilled the role on an acting basis since October 2023. I initially joined the college as Deputy Principal and Deputy Chief Executive in June 2023.
Directly before this role, I was Vice Principal for Quality at Barnsley College where I guided the college through their outstanding Ofsted inspection in 2022. Prior to Barnsley College, I worked for Ofsted as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors and held leadership roles in a range of colleges.
I have strategic responsibility for leading on curriculum design, overseeing the quality of provision we offer, and delivering an exceptional student experience. I am delighted to work for a hugely successful college that delivers learning opportunities that provide life changing opportunities for our students and apprentices.
Outside of York College I am a trustee of the Prisoners’ Education Trust, a passionate Rotherham United fan, and enjoy reading crime thrillers and swimming (not at the same time) as well as travelling.
Deputy Principal and Deputy Chief Executive
I joined York College in November 2023 having previously held a range of Strategic Leadership Roles, most notably as Vice Principal at Gloucestershire College where I had responsibility for Curriculum and Planning, as well as being Principal and CEO of Waltham Forest College. My most recent experience was at Belfast Metropolitan College where I led a project around employer engagement in curriculum design and oversaw an entire refresh of the curriculum offer.
My role in York College is to provide strategic leadership for Curriculum and Student Experience while focusing on providing a future-facing curriculum which includes a full review of our curriculum offer, design and delivery in partnership with staff, employers and other stakeholders.
My passion is developing people whether they are young people or adult students or staff.
On a personal level, I have two children. My son is a young design engineer in London and my daughter recently graduated and is working in University College London in the student widening participation team.
Chief Finance Officer
I have worked in Further Education for almost 30 years and have been Director of Finance at the following colleges:
- Dearne Valley College
- Wakefield College
- Sheffield College
- Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
I am a qualified accountant and have lots of experience in both Further Education and Higher Education. I worked at The University of Sheffield for four years at the start of my career.
My role is to ensure that York College continues to perform financially, and I am looking forward to working with everyone here. I think York is a marvellous city and I am looking forward to moving closer to the College as soon as possible.
I have a son who is about to turn 18 and he will be starting university later this year.
Director of Curriculum: Further and Adult Education
I stepped into the role of Director of Curriculum for Further Education in January 2024. In this role I lead on the strategic direction, innovation and quality of curriculum for both our Further Education and Adult Learning Provision – my key focus is to ensure that we have a brilliant programme of study for every learner who comes to us and that this reflects local skills needs, national priorities, but most importantly, reflect the big ambitions of our students. My career in Further Education has taught me that what we provide is about more than qualifications, it’s about delivering skills for life, supporting wellbeing, and building the confidence and resilience learners need in a rapidly changing world. That mission continues to underpin everything I do.
Across almost 20 years in Further Education - including more than a decade here at York College - I’ve had the privilege of working in a number of roles and with thousands of students of all ages. Although I’m a proud North-Easterner, my FE journey began in and around London, where I supported learners working at entry and foundation levels. I later progressed into curriculum management and became an Advanced Teaching Practitioner at what was then Uxbridge College, where I focused on developing high-impact teaching strategies and staff CPD before joining York College in 2011. York College is a great place to work and study and I’m so proud of what the staff here at College do to support the amazing achievements of our learners past and present.
Beyond the day job, I’m a lifelong learner (and a bit of a geek at heart). Over the years, I’ve juggled part-time study with work and family life as many of our students do. This has included a very practical weekend plumbing course here at College and I’m currently in the thesis stage of my doctoral studies in Educational Leadership which keeps me busy. I’m also kept on my toes by two young daughters who like me, love to craft to an ongoing soundtrack of Taylor Swift (which my husband and adult son are slowly learning to tolerate).
Director of Marketing and External Partnerships
I joined York College and University Centre in February 2023 after over four years at York St John University, where I was Head of Apprenticeship Delivery, Employer Engagement and Commercial Partnerships and before that Senior Project Manager. Over 13 years of my career involved a variety of senior roles in a private banking institution, so the transition to education has been an interesting journey and one I have loved every minute of.
My role at the college is to have strategic oversight of the marketing provision and to grow and nurture external partnerships which benefit students, staff, the City of York and the wider region. My motivation comes from finding innovative ways to collaborate with key regional stakeholders, employers and other partners to enrich the student journey into and through their education, providing clear pathways to their chosen careers.
I have two sons, who are turning eight and nine and along with my partner we have just moved to York having lived on the outskirts for over 11 years. I made the journey over the Pennines from Manchester in 2011, not only have I never looked back but have also never needed my umbrella less!
Director of Information and Data Services (IDS)
I’ve worked in education since 1992 and began at York College in 2016, originally on an interim basis but took a permanent role 18 months later.
Starting out in Grimsby College, where I stayed for 22 years, I’ve also worked at the Newcastle College Group (NCG) and the DN College Group, which Covers Doncaster and Scunthorpe.
I’m a real geek when it comes to data and I’ve seen a lot of changes since I started my career, when everything was on paper. I’ve seen the introduction of everything which has brought us to the computerised systems of today.
In my role I oversee a fantastic team, covering admissions, student data, curriculum, timetables, exams and reporting services. I love the team here at York College. My IDS colleagues are one of the reasons I love coming to work.
Outside of College, I love walking and have recently joined the Ramblers Association. I also love foreign travel and I’m looking forward to another road-trip through America. I live in Grimsby with my husband and daughter.
Director of Human Resources
Responsible for Human Resources (HR), Organisational Development (OD) and Payroll, my principal focus is making sure our HR and Organisational Development strategies support our Strategic Plan, and that we act in accordance with our values at all times. To help achieve this, we work to recruit the best possible people; actively support our staff who work so hard delivering for students (directly or indirectly); and provide our staff with developmental opportunities so that they feel they can develop their careers and are ready for their next steps, wherever that might be.
Having strong staff and union relations are important, as is having and maintaining accessible and relevant HR policies and procedures. I’m fortunate to have a very hardworking, skilled and committed team working with me to make this happen.
I am motivated by us delivering a responsive and professional HR, OD and Payroll service that people value. Making sure our staff are respected and valued for the immense contribution they make to the College, and to our students, is also of critical importance.
Outside of work, the big things in my life are my wife and kids (two grown ups, one at secondary school), being with friends, football (two teams - the Whites, and the Millers), keeping fit (intermittent, sadly), and music (Beatles, 70s Bowie, Doors, Joy Division; that musical ball park).
Director of Quality of Education
I returned to York College in January 2022 after studying for my A Levels here in 1996, at what was then York Sixth Form. I also began my teaching career here in 2005 before leaving in 2007. It’s lovely to be back.
Since 2007 I’ve held various middle and senior leadership roles in the North East and Manchester and have spent the last five years working across three Further Education Colleges in London, holding various senior roles leading on quality, curriculum and student experience.
My role at York College is to develop strategies and plans to secure the ongoing improvement of the quality of education for students. It’s my job to work with colleagues to review the quality of, amongst other things, teaching, learning and assessment. I also ensure that all college provision reflects on our staff performance, and continuously improves to provide all our students with an excellent experience.
Having lived away from York for the last 15 years, I’m really pleased to be back in North Yorkshire and plan to spend the next few months renovating the new home I share with my partner. I’m also loving reacquainting myself with all that York and North Yorkshire has to offer.
I am delighted to return to York College and am really excited about my role.
Director of Student and Apprentice Services
I am delighted to have joined York College and University Centre in February 2025. With over 14 years of experience in the further education sector, I have held various leadership roles, each reinforcing my passion for enhancing the student experience. One of my core values is helping others, and I have been fortunate throughout my career to hold roles that allow me to provide support. This has never been more evident than in my current role, which I find both rewarding and exciting.
At the college, I have strategic oversight of the student experience, which includes student services, pastoral provision, additional learner support, and safeguarding. This diverse range of responsibilities provides me with a unique perspective, ensuring that my approach remains student-centric at all times.
Outside of work, my wife and I have two beautiful daughters, and we enjoy spending quality time together on weekends; though I am often reminded that I am outnumbered! In my spare time, I am a passionate golfer, despite the common saying, golf is a good walk spoiled.
Director of Curriculum: Apprenticeships, Higher and Technical Education
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