Governors

I am a local Leicester person, and I have worked in several schools in Leicester. I have been a New College Leicester governor since 2010. My belief is, and has always been, that all young people deserve the best education and chances in life, and that is why I have spent my life working in education. I have particular interests in young people who face difficulties, either learning or emotional or behavioural, and also in teacher development and leadership. I think young people benefit from a rounded education, and although exams are crucially important, so are resourcefulness, resilience, responsibility and respect!

I have worked in education for the last 27 years, spanning a range of roles in a range of settings. From August 2024, I hold the privileged position at New College Leicester as Principal. Students are heart and centre of what drives my philosophy and practice. I also believe that as well as ensuring students achieve well, schools are crucial for providing opportunities and experiences for students to enable them to develop and thrive. Outside of work, I play the drums, support Newcastle United and am currently learning how to play the piano. I am also an Ex FA football referee.

I am a Franchisee with McDonald's and own and operate a number of local restaurants, and I have experience of working for and with global brands for over 25 years. I passionately believe in investing in people and want to give young people the best possible start in life, raising their aspirations and social mobility, to ready them for joining the workforce or indeed further education.

I currently work within the local authority’s children’s homes spread across Leicester which I have been doing for the last 15 years. This is often with children and young people who have had very challenging upbringings and who’s attitude to education can sometimes be challenging. That’s why I take great pleasure in seeing the young people I work with come into school and flourish in the right circumstances and when we all work well together.

I have been running sport clubs in Leicester since 1970 and currently manage Hinckley Gymnastics Club who hold the operating licence for the club at New College Leicester Gymnastics Centre and Clarendon Park in Hinckley. I am a graduate of Fine Art and Ancient history and was for many years a Residential Care Officer and a Teacher in special education and Assessment Units in Leicester.

I am the founder and Director of Alchemmy Consulting Limited which is a London based consulting firm providing business transformation and improvement advice and support for global and FTSE100 companies.  I have been a Governor at New College Leicester for over 5 years and for the last two years been Chair of the Board of Trustees.  I am married with three children aged 21, 19 and 17 and live in Loughborough.

I combine my life as a full-time business woman with that of a mother of two teenage sons. In my working life, I have over 25 years’ experience working for local government and private business. I specialise in physical regeneration, helping to improve local neighbourhoods and create strong communities. As a parent of children with dyslexia and dyspraxia I am very familiar with the challenges and frustrations children face, and I am very committed to helping young people overcome their difficulties and achieve their best possible successes.

I have worked at New College Leicester since 2006. I am an Assistant Principal, in addition to being on the governing body. I am originally from South Yorkshire. but trained and worked in Birmingham before moving to Leicester. I have worked in education, both in formal and informal settings for the last 15 years. My core values are very much centred on social justice. I strongly believe that all young people should be given the best possible chances in life, regardless of their socio-economic background, race, sexuality or gender.

I am Principal of WQE Sixth Form College in Leicester, a role I was appointed to following a merger in 2018 with Regent Sixth Form College, where I had also been Principal since 2008. I have also completed the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) and the LSIS Executive Leadership Development Programme for Principals (ELDP/PQP). In 2019 I completed a Strategic Leadership Programme at Oxford University's Said Business School, supported by the Education Training Foundation. Within the Governing Body I have a lead role for teaching and learning.

I work at Nottingham Trent University for the VCSE National Observatory. The National Observatory provides a one-stop source of interactive data intelligence for policymakers, infrastructure and frontline organizations, and researchers in the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector. I hold a PhD in Management from the University of Leicester, an MA in Design & Manufacture from De Montfort University, and a BA (Hons) in Industrial Design from the University of Mar Del Plata, Argentina.

Outside of acaademia, i worked as a Funding Manager for the Peepul Centre in Leicester, one of the UK's larget BAME women-led social enterprises. I successfully managed the grant clain process for funds from Sport England, Arts Council England, the National Lottery and the European Regional Development Fund. As a result, I have a proven record in successful audit trails and have established robust funding systems and procedures. Additionally, I spent 10 years as a youth worker and community activist in Argentina.

I enjoy living in Leicester with my husband and three children, and I am passionate about community development and helping young people succeed in life. I have a keen interest in supporting students with invisible disabilities, such as dyslexia or mental health issues. I am committed to further developing New College Leicester and its vibrant community.