I am proud to be the Principal and CEO at Shipley College where I started my teaching career in 2002.
I am a highly experienced senior leader in Further Education with a long and successful track record of delivery at a number of colleges and community sector organisations across the region. I have held a variety of roles specialising in teaching, learning and assessment; community based and adult education; maths, English and ESOL; teacher education and curriculum leadership. I left Shipley College in 2017 to broaden my knowledge of the sector and returned three years later as Vice Principal Curriculum.
I am passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion, and committed to providing outstanding education and training that transforms the lives of individuals, builds stronger communities, and supports economic prosperity in the Bradford district.
I have lived locally for most of my life, went to Titus Salt School when it was still Salt Grammar School, and raised my four daughters here. When I’m not working you will find me at the gym, eating out, or walking in the Yorkshire Dales with my partner - but probably not my daughters!
I have worked within Governance and Compliance for the last four years at a large Bradford Multi Academy Trust, clerking and offering advice and guidance across the boards and supporting over 250 Governors across the Trust, within that time I successfully completed the NGA's Level 3 Clerks Development course. Prior to this I worked within Secondary Education settings in Bradford, specialising in attendance and attainment of Post 16 students, as well as supporting them in their Post 18 aspirations.
Before finding my passion for working within Education I spent eight years in a senior administration role within the private sector, providing high quality finance administration support and customer service to their nationwide contracts.
In my spare time I enjoy reading and travelling with my family.
I am a semi-retired business owner and IT Consultant with over 50 years of experience in all aspects of the IT industry, having worked with local government, commercial and not-for-profit organisations. Since 1982 I have held more than a dozen directorships.
Born in Leeds, I began my IT career as a mainframe operator in 1969 and in 1978 moved into software development and design, becoming Technical Director for a Nottingham-based startup company in 1981. I took the opportunity in 1984 to join an elite team in Kentucky (USA) developing a new programming language for IBM mini-computers.
Having returned to the UK, in 1986 I set up my own Software "Centre for Excellence" in Bradford, securing contracts with some large clients, including British Airways, British Steel, and Speedo in the UK, as well as contracts in Europe, the Middle East and the USA. Having grown the company from an initial three-man team to fifteen, I sold the company to the Management in 1998 and moved to Tucson (USA) to work on projects, including tribal court systems for Native Americans and shipping software for DHL.
I first became involved with Shipley College in the early 1990s after taking Software Development students on placement. I was invited to join the college’s ICT Employer Advisory Panel in 1993, subsequently becoming a Governor in 2010 and recently becoming Chair of the Corporation.
I am privileged to have had two interesting, varied and rewarding careers during my working life.
After leaving school I trained, qualified, and practiced as a general nurse, midwife, and health visitor. All my health service and private sector roles were in the Leeds, Bradford and Airedale districts. Having spent twenty-five years in Further Education, I retired from my post as Vice Principal Curriculum and Quality at Craven College in March 2020.
During my time in Further Education, I worked as a lecturer teaching health and social care-related subjects, moving up the management structure to become a senior manager. My experience of Further Education spans five Further Education colleges including Shipley College many years ago. Due to my past experience, my particular strengths, interest and expertise are within the delivery of a broad, balanced, student and employer-responsive curriculum that enables progress to Further or Higher education or entry to the workplace and professional development for those already within the workplace. I have a very strong interest in premises, resources and finance to support curriculum delivery and enable student success.
I have a passion for raising aspirations and educational outcomes for people of all ages and look forward to supporting Shipley College in the excellent work it does with the community, thereby promoting success for all.
My role is Head of Careers & Employability at the University of Bradford. I lead the Career & Employability Services’ team and am the institutional lead for employability across the University. I also represent the University with a range of local and regional strategic organisations regarding employment and skills matters.
I have extensive experience in the pre and post-16 schools and college sectors, HE sector and career guidance sector in a variety of roles including frontline service delivery, operation and strategic management, project management, professional training and development, quality assurance, and teaching, learning and assessment.
Outside of work I enjoy hill walking, travelling in the UK and overseas, socialising with friends and colleagues, and playing in ‘pit’ bands for musical productions at various theatres across Yorkshire.
I am a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser. I work for HM Revenue & Customs, the UK's tax administration authority, where I assist Tax Specialists, Solicitors and Barristers to safeguard the flow of money to the Exchequer, making sure money is available to fund public services and help families and individuals with targeted financial support. I also develop and deliver training to build the capability of colleagues.
I am married and have 2 daughters aged 25 and 23, an English Teacher and a Physiologist, and consider my greatest achievement to be working with them to ensure they achieved their academic potential within the state education system.
I am a chartered accountant and have held various financial management positions in both private and public sectors.
I am currently Director of Finance and Planning at Leeds Trinity University and my responsibilities include the strategic and operational management of all financial affairs; strategic and business planning; and leading the risk management process.
I have lived locally for over 15 years, appreciate the key role that Shipley College plays in Saltaire and am pleased to be able to support the College in this.
Outside of work, my interests include walking, reading, history, travel, food and wine.
I am Head of the School of Business, Communication and Law at Leeds Trinity University and Lead for Learning, Teaching and Employability, which has led work to engage with employers around labour market issues. I have developed a number of projects designed to look at how skills gaps can be addressed and presented on this in both academic and professional forums. Prior to joining Leeds Trinity in 2007, I spent 15 years working in local news media as a journalist.
My career spans 40 years. For most of my career, I worked in the retail, hospitality and customer service business. I am pleased to say that I have had the privilege of working in a senior role as an HR and Learning & Development Manager for a major retailer based in Yorkshire. Across my time, one of my main responsibilities was to develop and implement strategies for the UK and Canada, ensuring the business had a strong pipeline ready and able to drive the business forward. I worked with and on behalf of all levels of the business from shop floor colleagues through to Executive Managers.
I was pleased to be part of the team that delivered an extensive and ambitious store and depot opening plan, ensuring that recruitment, development and talent pipelines were in place to ensure that each store and business area succeeded with and through people and skills.
During the latter 10 years of my career, I worked for Bradford Council in Education, Employment and Skills, delivering bespoke recruitment and people services for a wide range of employers across the Bradford District. Partnership working which included participation in the delivery of bespoke solutions through Bradford District FE Colleges. One of the key projects realised the successful opening on The Broadway Shopping Centre in Bradford City Centre.
Following my retirement, I am very pleased to have been offered the opportunity to offer my skills and time to Shipley College.
I am a Bradford born multi business owner with expertise in working with companies to optimise their creative potential, build on innovative methods and entrepreneurial capability within the organisational culture. A complete people-person, I combine coaching skills to push the potential of individuals to break the glass ceiling and succeed in their given industries. With a background in management, leadership, financial services, and business consultancy.
Having worked internationally, I have now set camp in Bradford with businesses in property, finance, and food. I am privileged to be able to sit on the board of a local college and offering back to a community that is deep within my heart.
Outside of work, I have 3 young boys who keep me on my toes, so any free time I have is spent with them hiking and exploring the world through their lens and the things they enjoy.
I have worked at Shipley College since 2003. I started as a lecturer, became a Section Leader after a year, then the Head of Sector for Care Early Years and Health Sciences. Prior to working at the college I worked for the YMCA as a trainer for 2 years, and previously to this, I was employed as a Qualified Nurse, managing a very successful care home I completed a HND in Business as a mature student and then achieved a BA (Hons) 2:1 in Business and the C&G 7307 teaching qualification. This was a huge achievement for myself and I am very proud of what I achieved. During my time at the College I have successfully completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and have seen and managed many changes to improve the teaching and learning, including maintaining a positive experience for our learners, particularly adult learners who I am responsible for in the Care Sector. I live locally to College which makes work home life balance easier to manage and allows me to spend more time with my family, including two young children. Outside of work, family and friends are my main priority, but I do enjoy going to the gym, open water swimming and making fused glass.
I have lived and worked in Bradford for the last 40 years and have a strong background in education and research, wide-range of teaching experience and a sound understanding of educational markets and international curricula. Prior to coming to Bradford, I lived and worked across London, as an advisory teacher in Primary and Secondary Schools and with Adult Education. I also worked with the BBC for a short period as an Assistant FE Officer. I have experience of managing human resources, recruitment and selection process, quality assurance mechanisms, self-assessment and inspection work. I have held a range of public appointments and currently a Trustee with Staying Put (Charity dealing with Victims of Domestic Abuse) and a Trustee with Nurture Academy Trust.
I have always worked to ensure that issues of quality and equality are kept firmly on the agenda in public services. I am a woman of independent standing and personal credibility in the public sector and known for my single-minded dedication to achieve fairness and equality in everything, even at a personal cost. I am a published author and in addition to educational publications, have recently published semi-biographical memoirs. Finally, I am an active member of Bradford u3a, play Bridge and enjoy Creative Writing. I also enjoy walking, have a passion for travelling and cultivating exotic plants.
Grace joined the Corporation in January 2021 and sits on the Finance and Resources committee.
Grace is an NHS manager with experience of managing national, regional, and organisational programmes. Grace is also an independent leadership coach, with a special interest in inclusion, health, and wellbeing. In addition, Grace is a qualified accountant, who holds an MSc in Accounting from Leeds Beckett University as well as considerable financial and management accounting experience gained in both the private and public sector.
Grace joined the Board as she wanted to support an organisation that is committed to supporting people to explore their passions and fulfil their potential. Previously she was on the Board of Reemap, a charity committed to improving the academic attainment of Black, Asian and minority ethnic children and prior to that she volunteered at a community based after school club.
I have worked at Shipley College since 2012. I started as a job coach on the Supported Internship Programme and became the programme coordinator after the first year. I am pleased to say that the programme is still going strong!
I successfully completed my PGCE in 2017 through Shipley College, something I am very proud of. Before working at the college I worked for over 20 years in the Health and Social Care sector, progressing to manage a supported living service for adults with learning disabilities.
I always work to ensure equality for all and enable the voice of the people I support to be heard. I have a strong passion for advocating, supporting and coaching young people with SEND and love nothing more than watching individuals flourish and grow-something we excel at within Shipley College!
Outside of work I love spending time with my family and friends,especially my daughters and Grandson. I also enjoy walking, baking, live music and theatre.
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