Category: Movers and Shakers

Nikki Collier Director of Business Development, Stanmore College Start date: January 2026 Previous Job: Interim Head of Apprenticeship Performance, Capel Manor College Interesting fact: Nikki loves driving old VW vans and is at her happiest behind the wheel of her “battered old caddy” singing along to Bob Marley’s ‘Is this Love’ Robert West Associate Director […]

Rachel Kay Director, Skills, Deloitte Start date: January 2026 Previous Job: Director of Education, Learning People Global Interesting fact: Rachel began her education career at a UK tour operator training holiday reps overseas Sue Saunders Interim principal & CEO, Northern College for Adults Start date: December 2025 Previous Job: Deputy Principal and Chief Finance Officer, […]

Diana Bird Executive Principal, Leeds City College Start date: Spring 2026 Previous Job: Principal and CEO, Shipley College Interesting fact: Diana’s career in education started teaching ESOL for two hours a week at her local FE college Daniel Grimes Assistant Principal: Quality and Student Experience, Leeds College of Building Start date: January 2026 Previous Job: […]

Jo Kershaw Deputy Principal – Quality & Student Experience, The Sheffield College Start date: November 2025 Previous Job: Vice Principal – Curriculum and Quality, City College Norwich Interesting fact: Jo had a 12-year career in Greater Manchester Police before moving into the further education sector Kenny Stoddart Managing Director, Appris Start date: December 2025 Previous […]

Kate Shoesmith Director of Policy and Insights, British Chamber of Commerce Start date: December 2025 Previous job: Deputy CEO, Recruitment & Employment Federation Interesting fact: Kate loves her garden and can usually be found pottering outdoors at home or on frequent holidays in France Anna Trethewey Chief Strategy and Vocational Officer, AQA Start date: February […]

Natalie Perera Chief External Affairs and Communications Officer, AQA Start date: February 2026 Previous Job: CEO, Education Policy Institute Interesting fact: Shane from Boyzone turned up randomly at Natalie’s wedding in 2019 Lynette Leith Principal and CEO, Boston College Start date: November 2025 Previous Job: Vice Principal, Hull College Interesting fact: Lynette once worked at […]

Hayley Phare Deputy Principal, Curriculum, The Sheffield College Start date: September 2025 Previous Job: Group Executive Director for Curriculum, South Essex College Group Interesting fact: Hayley loves to go on walks with her dog, Bartlet, who is named after the fictional character in the television drama series The West Wing Toni Rhodes Chief Executive, Education […]

Leigh Mills Head of Skills, Employment and Education, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Start date: November 2025 Previous Job: Head of Skills and Inclusion, North East Combined Authority Interesting fact: Leigh is a keen cricketer, and in the spirit of widening participation in the sport, she is a counding member of the ladies cricket […]

Lucy Jeynes Chair. South and City College Birmingham Start date: October 2025 Previous Job: Vice Chair, South and City College Birmingham Interesting fact: Lucy is a poet and is currently putting the finishing touches to her first collection. When not at work, she spends as much time as possible in France, which now feels like […]