Governor Biographies

Andy joined Suffolk New College as a Corporation member in January 2022. He is the Chair of Remuneration, and is a Link Governor to the Business Development & Major Projects directorate

Andy is an accomplished and enthusiastic Chartered Accountant with an MBA working at a strategic level as a portfolio Finance Director supporting businesses with strategic finance and operational challenges.  He is currently the Finance Director for Bacton Transport Ltd in Bury St Edmunds.

Andy brings to the College a great depth of professional skills and diverse industry experience gained during his career to date.

Anne is a Corporation member, having joined the Board in June 2020. She is Chair of the Finance & Employment and is also a Link Governor to Creative Arts and the Enterprise & Digital Industries curriculum area.

Anne, a Chartered Accountant, has enjoyed a career in Finance, predominantly in the shipping industry and latterly as Finance Director for Mediterranean Shipping (UK) Ltd, a role which included responsibility for HR and IT.

Having lived in Suffolk for over 30 years Anne feels privileged to have raised her family in such a great rural community with access to the beautiful countryside and coast. She feels passionately that everyone should have access to appropriate education to utilise their strengths and fulfil their ambitions and is keen to play a very positive role within the community in which her children and grandchildren live and work.

Ashleigh is a Business Lecturer and Link Tutor at Suffolk New College. In August 2024, Ashleigh joined Corporation as a Staff Governor.

Ashleigh’s specialism is in the creative elements of Business and she enjoys sharing her knowledge of design, marketing and events. She is excited to drive this area forward with the team and management and further strengthen the curriculum we offer.

Before joining the college, Ashleigh was an external Initial Teacher Training student working with one of the college’s business partners Inspire on NEET prevention work and acting as Safeguarding Lead. She joined the College in 2020 as a Progress Tutor. Ashleigh graduated in 2021 and undertook the role of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Champion in January 2023 looking at ways to develop EDI within the College, both with staff and students. In August 2024, she stepped away from that role, however continues to promote EDI within the curriculum.

Brendan joined Suffolk New College as a Corporation member in January 2021. Brendan is a member of the Academic Standards and Quality Committee and is also a Link Governor to the Creative Arts and enterprise & Digital Industries curriculum areas.

Brendan is an Artistic Director and CEO at DanceEast based in Jerwood DanceHouse, Ipswich, his dance career dates back to 1979 when he was inspired by David Bowie to move into dance performance.

Following a 10 year career as a performer, teacher and choreographer, and gaining a number of Film, TV and Theatre credits, along the way, he  moved into Leadership and Management roles where he dedicated his time and passion into inspiring others to enjoy dance and join the dance profession.

In 2021 Brendan received an OBE for services to dance and in 2024 he was made an Honorary Fellow of Goldsmiths, University of London.

_{Brendan is currently on a sabbatical until 1st November 2024.}

Emily joined Suffolk New College Corporation in August 2024 as a Student Governor.  She is currently a second year student studying T-Level Childcare and Education at Suffolk New College.

For Emily’s next steps once she has completed her course, she is considering the option of joining the University of Suffolk to study the BA (Hons) Childhood course.  She is very interested and passionate about the rights and social justice surrounding children and their families and this course can provide her with more learning in this area.

Whilst growing up a key aspect of Emily’s education was the staff who helped her along the way, especially the Teaching Assistants (TAs).  Emily would love to become a TA in a Primary School to help children reach their full potential and thrive throughout the school day.

George joined Suffolk New College Corporation in August 2024 as a Student Governor.  He is currently in his second year studying T-Level Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control at Suffolk New College.

George chose his course because he enjoyed his work experience with Sizewell, which had been funded by EDF. He had also enjoying other link activities relating to engineering in school.

Once George has completed his course he would like to become a Project Engineer or a Project Manager at Sizewell, which has been his ambition since he was young.

Graham is one of our newest Corporation members at Suffolk New College joining us in October 2023. Graham serves on three Committees; the Finance & Employment Committee, the Strategic Health & Safety Committee as the H&S link governor and the Audit & Risk Committee.

Graham is a Partner at Prettys Solicitors based in the heart of Ipswich, Suffolk where he trained and qualified as a Solicitor.  He is dedicated to providing the highest level of client care and has a wealth of experience.

Jonathan is a Corporation member for Suffolk New College and joined in 2018. Jonathan is the Audit & Risk Committee Chair and a member of the Remuneration Committee.

Jonathan is the Executive Director for UKQuantum, the voice of the UK’s quantum industry.  He is a member of the National Quantum Technology Programme Strategic Advisory Board, and The National Computing Centre Technical Advisory Group and NPL’s Quantum Metrology Institute Advisory Board.

In June 2024 Jonathan was awarded an MBE for
services to Science and Technology.

Previously Jonathan was Principal, Scientific Affairs for BT leading engagement with national research and innovation  projects including Quantum Technologies, Future Telecoms and Cyber-Physical Infrastructure. He directed BT’s Strategic Research for 10 years along with BT’s academic and industrial research partnerships. Jonathan also established BT’s school engagement programme in the East of England.

Mark joined the Corporation in July 2015 and is the chair of Academic Standards & Quality and a member of Audit & Risk and Remuneration.

Following completion of a PhD in Ecology, Mark started his career teaching at a land-based Further Education College in Surrey. Subsequently he joined Writtle College, Chelmsford where he became involved in Higher Education, eventually becoming Dean of Faculty for Applied Science and Technology and finally Director of Academic Standards.

Subsequently Mark joined the University of Suffolk (University Campus Suffolk at the time) and played a key role in gaining Taught Degree Awarding Powers and University Title. Throughout his career Mark has also worked for the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education as a peer reviewer across the university sector.

Mark has had a lifelong passion for supporting young people to achieve their potential through training and education. He is also currently a Primary school governor in North Essex.

Paige is a Lecturer in Foundation Learning at Suffolk New College. In August 2024, Paige joined Corporation as a Staff Governor.

Paige joined the College in 2018 as a Progress Tutor and studied alongside her role to complete a Certificate in Education in 2021. Once she completed her studies she decided to become a teacher.

Paige is passionate about working with learners who are at risk of being not in education, employment or training (NEET) and need a little more time and nurturing to be able to achieve.  This passion comes from previous roles working in a Children’s Care Home with those who were most at risk from exploitation and working with young people who had been removed from schools and needed one to one tuition to get them back on the right path and back into schools.

Phil joined the Suffolk New College Corporation in January 2022. He is a member of the Audit & Risk Committee and a Link Governor to the Service Industries and Science curriculum area.

Phil works as the Head of General Accounting at Bertelsmann Global Business Services Ltd. Previously he worked for the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust as the Divisional Finance Manager, and has a background in audit and assurance.

Robert joined the Suffolk New College Corporation in June 2020. He is a member of the Academic Standards & Quality Committee and a Link Governor to the Land Based curriculum area.

Robert is the Farms Director at Boxford Suffolk Farms, who grow a range of Berry Fruit and Tree Fruit as well as running a green energy anaerobic digestion plant which makes their business self sufficient in electricity.

Robert gained his Agricultural & Horticultural training at an F.E. college in Kent and subsequently has enjoyed a successful career in Commercial Horticulture of which a large part is attributable to that early training and education Robert received.

Robert is passionate to see other young people get the training and skills needed for them to have successful and fulfilling careers in their chosen fields, which is why he is very happy to serve as a Governor at SNC and help in whatever small way he can.

Sarah is one of our newest Suffolk New College Corporation Members, joining in October 2023. She is also a Finance & Employment Committee member.

Sarah joined Sizewell C in January 2021 moving from EDF which she joined in 2012.  She has overall responsibility for people and skills across the Sizewell C project, and is looking forward to delivering the commitment to create 1500 apprenticeships and undertaking the resourcing and recruitment across the lifecycle of the project.

Sarah is a qualified Solicitor who had a career in private practice in the field of employment law before joining EDF.  Over Sarah’s career she has held numerous Leadership and Management roles.

Sarah is a proud East Suffolk resident looking forward to bringing skilled employment to our local community and leaving a lasting legacy for the community we serve.  As a working mother to two small boys, Sarah is passionate about creating an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive.

Simon joined the Suffolk New College Corporation in January 2022. He is a member of the following Committees; Governance & Search, and Audit & Risk.

Simon is an Audit, Risk and Governance Consultant. He has experience working as a senior professional across a number of risk and control functions in Investment Banking including compliance, operational risk, internal audit, product control, finance and operations.

Stevie is a former Otley College student and joined Suffolk New College as a Corporation member and a Link Governor to the Animal & Equine curriculum area in January 2021.

Stevie is a Director at Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park on the outskirts of Ipswich.

Stevie has industry experience in multiple animal-based sectors such as; zoo management, animal welfare, rescue and rehabilitation and livestock production.

Many of our students have benefitted from undertaking project work at Jimmy’s Farm in recent years and have enjoyed their work experience with Stevie and the team.

Sue joined the Suffolk New College Corporation in January 2022. She is a member of the Academic Standards & Quality Committee and Governance & Search Committee. Sue is also a Link Governor to English and Maths.

Sue had a 40 year career in further and higher education during that time she held several roles; as a teacher, quality manager, area manager and as Director of Curriculum . She held senior management roles including Dean of Higher Education and Curriculum Innovation at Solihull College & University Centre.

Sue works as a freelance consultant specialising in Further Education and College based Higher Education, curriculum development, partnerships, student engagement, and quality assurance. She is currently supervising Loughborough University students on their placement year.

Suzanne joined the Suffolk New College Corporation in January 2022. She is a member of the Academic Standards & Quality Committee and a Link Governor to the Transition, Foundation & Inclusive Learning, and the Student Services curriculum areas.

Suzanne has worked for Essex County Council for 14 years and is currently the SEND Strategy Lead: Preparing for Adulthood. Previously she worked as the High Needs Funding & Targeted Employment Manager

Terry joined the Suffolk New College Corporation in October 2023.  He is the Chair of Corporation and the Governance & Search Committee.

For 11 years, Terry has been the Exec Chair of Ipswich Central (Locus MS) and is a leading figure amongst UK BIDs with a wealth of experience in developing urban strategies.  As a former, experienced BBC presenter he enjoyed  a long-term relationship with the Corporation, particularly with BBC Radio Suffolk.

In addition, Terry is the Chief Executive Officer of the Education and Personal Development Charity Inspire, a position he has held for 17 years. This important youth charity empowers under 25’s to help support their personal development and wellbeing as well as helping them overcome obstacles and progress onto professional pathways.

In between two spells at the BBC, Terry held the post of Director of Communications at Ipswich Town Football Club.

Rebecca joined Suffolk New College as the Head of Governance in January 2024.

Rebecca has over 10 years experience working in educational governance supporting colleges, Multi Academy Trusts, schools, alternative provision, and specialist schools. She is also experienced at supporting exclusion, disciplinary and complaint hearings.

Andy is a Co-opted Corporation member at Suffolk New College, joining in January 2024. Andy is a member of the Academic Standards & Quality Committee and is the link governor to the Engineering, Construction & Building Technology, and Apprenticeships curriculum areas.

Andy works as the LSIP Executive Director at Essex Chambers of Commerce & Industry and is a former Further Education senior leader. Andy is a governor at Anglian Ruskin University and Chair of the Board at Writtle College Ltd.