Leadership & Governance

Jacqui is currently the interim leader of Bath College, holding the position until the arrival of our new permanent Principal and Chief Executive, Kevin Hamblin, in May. Jacqui is also an independent education consultant specialising in SEND, having gained a great deal of experience in teaching and leadership roles within other Further Education colleges where she has held Deputy and Principal positions over the course of her career.  

Rich is an experienced COO, CFO and Executive level leader, with very clear belief in the value of education and the opportunities it brings in terms of equality, social mobility and inclusion. Joining Bath as COO in 2024 having held similar roles in other colleges, Rich is responsible for the College’s financial health and sustainable growth and for leading professional services departments across the College. A key part of Rich’s role is building relationships with stakeholders and other anchor institutions within Bath and North East Somerset. Rich has a degree in History, Politics and Economics and is an FCPFA.

Sue is an experienced senior leader holding extensive achievements in the learning and skills sector. Described as a creative optimist and persuasive inspirational leader, Sue creates an innovative culture which develops and empowers teams to achieve excellent results. In her current role as Interim Deputy Principal, Sue provides oversight and strategic management of the College’s curriculum and quality, and is responsible for teaching delivery to young people, apprentices, adults and Higher Education students across all College sites. Sue has a Masters in Leadership and Management in Education and is an Ofsted Inspector.

Toria is a strategic HR professional who has led and delivered significant people-centred change. Prior to joining Bath in 2024 Toria had a number of roles in other colleges, consultancy, and in the NHS. As Director of People and Culture Toria is responsible for the College’s human resources functions and for leading our strategic approach to equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as  cultural change, ensuring that the experience of our staff reflects our values of learning, trust, quality, innovation and respect. Toria is a Chartered MCIPD with a degree in Education and Theology.

Mark Simpkins is a dedicated professional with over 20 years of experience in work-based learning and quality improvement. He has a proven track record of helping organisations achieve Ofsted Outstanding status through effective team management, programme implementation, and stakeholder engagement.

Currently, Mark is a freelance FE Quality Consultant, providing guidance to improve quality practices and Ofsted readiness. His consultancy work has led to several organisations achieving top Ofsted grades.

Mark holds a Level 7 CMI Certificate in Leadership Coaching and Mentoring, among other qualifications. His previous role as Quality Director at Apprentify Group Ltd saw him lead the organisation to Grade 1 Outstanding at its first full Ofsted inspection.

Committed to quality education, Mark understands the importance of providing both support and constructive challenge in governance. Outside of work, he enjoys sports, managing an adult football team, and spending time with his family.  Mark is a member of the Curriculum and Quality Committee.

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John Lakin is an experienced Non-Executive Director and education consultant with over 30 years of expertise in the education and skills sector. Born and raised in Bath, John has a deep-rooted passion for education as a vehicle for social mobility and social justice, stemming from his own experiences growing up in a low-income household and being the first in his family to pursue higher education.

John began his career as an auditor for Further Education Colleges in London, later transitioning into education management and consultancy with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). At PwC, he led the Education & Skills Consulting practice, establishing it as the leading consultancy in the UK. His work included turnaround programmes for colleges in financial difficulty, national studies on skills provision, and strategic reviews for government bodies.

After retiring from PwC in 2011, John developed a portfolio of independent consultancy and Non-Executive roles. He has served on the boards of several prominent organisations, including the Education and Skills Funding Agency, the School Teachers’ Review Body, and Cafcass, where he played a key role in improving performance and achieving an "Outstanding" Ofsted rating.

John is currently Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees at St John’s Foundation, where he leads initiatives to reduce the attainment gap in Bath and North East Somerset. He is also a founder member of the charity Biking for Children in Care, which has raised over £1 million for children in care and their carers. John is a member of the Curriculum and Quality Committee.

Sallyann Baldry is a distinguished education and business development professional with over 25 years of experience in post-16 education and training. She is the founder and director of her own consultancy business, specialising in apprenticeships and providing expert services to a diverse range of clients, including Amazon UK Services Ltd, Wessex Water, and the British Psychological Society.

Sallyann currently chairs the Governing Body Advisory Committee at Future Awards and Qualifications and serves on several advisory boards, including YTL Wessex Academy and Quantum Awards. Her governance experience spans both public and private sectors, with a strong focus on curriculum and quality.

A passionate advocate for equality of access in education, Sallyann is dedicated to enabling every learner to achieve their best. She is a member of the Global Equality Collective and is excited to be a member of the Curriculum and Quality Committee.

Sallyann believes in the power of education to transform lives and communities. Her collaborative management style and ability to build strong client relationships make her a trusted and respected figure in the education sector.

Sarah Gerken has over 20 years of experience in the educational field, both in the UK and overseas.  She is a seasoned professional in quality and compliance management. Currently serving as the Quality and Compliance Manager at WBL Services Ltd, Sarah leads strategic planning and implementation for the British Army's apprenticeship programmes, ensuring compliance and quality across 13,000 apprentices and multiple training providers.

Sarah's expertise includes curriculum planning, data analysis using MIS, quality audits, and financial management. She has a proven track record of improving team performance, implementing innovative solutions, and driving organisational success. Her leadership skills and strategic thinking have been instrumental in securing long-term contracts and enhancing the quality of educational provision.

Sarah is passionate about education and committed to fostering a high-quality learning environment. Her ability to interact effectively with stakeholders, manage budgets, and deliver on strategic goals makes her a valuable member of the Audit Committee. Sarah's dedication to continuous improvement and her innovative approach to problem-solving ensure that she consistently achieves outstanding results.

Professor Tim Jones is a distinguished academic leader with extensive experience in higher education and curriculum development. Currently serving as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor at BPP University, Tim oversees four academic schools and various university central administration functions. His strategic focus on student experience, engagement, and employability has led to significant improvements in student retention and satisfaction.

Tim's career spans several prestigious roles, including Pro-Vice Chancellor Students at the University of Worcester, where he championed student services, well-being, and access initiatives. He has been instrumental in developing policies to prevent student sexual misconduct and harassment, and has led numerous projects aimed at enhancing the student experience.

With a background in psychology, Tim has held leadership positions at Coventry University and the University of Worcester, where he founded the School of Psychology. Tim has served as Director and Chair of the Board for Worcester Wolves, a high-performing student basketball club, and UW Enterprises, focusing on commercial revenue generation and student employment.

Tim holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Bristol and a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education from the University of Gloucestershire. His commitment to inclusive practice and student-first approaches has earned him recognition as a Purpose Goals Champion at the 2023 Purpose Coalition Awards.  Tim is a member of the Finance and Resources Committee.

Amiee Mason-Brown is a dedicated and accomplished leader in the field of education, currently serving as the Director of Quality and Operations at Partners in Bristol. With a robust background in curriculum design, quality assurance, and strategic planning, Amiee has consistently driven positive change across various educational settings.

Her career highlights include raising the Ofsted grade for her sector at City of Bristol College, overseeing apprenticeship and employer-based training programmes, and managing diverse teams to achieve measurable results. Amiee's qualifications, including a BSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy and diplomas in education and hypnotherapy, reflect her commitment to lifelong learning and holistic approaches to education.

As a Designated Safeguarding Lead and Well-being Champion, Amiee is dedicated to fostering safe and supportive learning environments. Her passion for education, community development, and empowering individuals to reach their potential is at the core of her professional journey.

Amiee is inspired by the transformative power of learning and is eager to contribute to the future success of educational institutions. Her experience, skills, and values align closely with the goals of Bath College, where she is a member of the Curriculum and Quality Committee. 

Pat Coxen is a transformational business leader with extensive C-level experience. As CEO of Cornerstone Infrastructure Limited, he oversees a £360m revenue mobile network infrastructure company. Under his leadership, customer satisfaction has increased by 50%.

With over 20 years in the telecommunications industry, Pat has led major transformation programmes, including the creation of EE and the UK 4G launch. He has held senior roles in strategy, marketing, and customer services, and has a strong track record in operational improvements and cost savings.

Pat spent 15 years in the Army and holds an MBA from Cranfield University. He is known for his stakeholder management skills and collaborative leadership style. Committed to community support, Pat actively promotes educational and vocational initiatives both within his own business and nationally.

Pat is Chair of the Audit Committee of Bath College.

Michelle Crew-Gee is a seasoned finance leader with over 30 years of experience in governance and financial management. She has successfully led transformation projects, developed high-performing teams, and enhanced finance functions across various organisations, including Screwfix Ltd, LaplandUK, and IVC Evidensia.

Michelle holds an MSc in Strategy, Leadership, and Change from the University of Bristol and is a Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA). Her expertise includes internal and external financial reporting, budgeting, strategic planning, and ERP system implementation.

Passionate about education and community service, Michelle has served as a school governor and is dedicated to using her professional and personal experiences to benefit the community.  Michelle is a member of the Finance and Resources Committee.

Mark Johnston is a finance professional (ACMA, CGMA) with extensive experience in leading finance teams at innovation-driven organisations. As Finance Director at Dyson, he oversees finance technology strategies and key systems like ERP (S/4HANA) andEPM (OneStream).

Mark excels in financial planning, corporate finance, and finance systems/IT. He has led significant projects, including the shutdown of Dyson’s Automotive project and the creation of finance-managed teams to support product costing.

Previously, Mark held various finance roles at AstraZeneca, contributing to R&D, licensing, and acquisitions. He has also served as a Non-Executive Director for charitable organisations, providing strategic finance expertise.

Mark holds an MSc in International Business Management and a BA in English Literature, Politics & Philosophy from the University of Exeter. He is dedicated to using finance to support organisations that positively impact health, learning, and the environment.  At Bath College Mark is a member of the Finance and Resources Committee. 

Patrick Wiedijk is a dedicated professional with a passion for personal development and community service. With a strong belief in the power of education to enhance capabilities and adapt to everyday changes, Patrick is enthusiastic about contributing to the growth and success of Bath College as a Board member.

Patrick brings a wealth of skills to the role, including international experience, strategic governance, performance optimisation, programme and project planning, customer experience (UX, CX), financial controlling, and procurement and supplier management. His diverse expertise ensures a comprehensive approach to addressing the needs and challenges of the College.

Residing in Bath, Patrick is committed to giving back to the community and supporting the College's mission to provide high-quality education and opportunities for personal growth. He is a member of the Audit Committee.

Marie-Claire Tivey is a seasoned governance and company secretarial professional with extensive experience in board and committee management, corporate governance, and compliance. With a career spanning over two decades, Marie-Claire has provided governance support to numerous high-profile organisations, including PennonGroup PLC, Drumz PLC, Alliance Pharma PLC, and Southern Housing Group.

Marie-Claire's expertise includes conducting independent governance reviews, advising on corporate structure and compliance, managing share transactions and company share plans, and providing transaction support for mergers and acquisitions. She is adept at developing and implementing company secretarial systems, ensuring statutory compliance, and driving programmes of rationalisation and company dissolution.

In addition to her professional achievements, Marie-Claire holds several diplomas, including LifeCoaching, Executive Coaching, Fashion Design, and Interior Design. She is a Chartered Company Secretary and has a Law Degree from the University of the West of England, Bristol. Fluent in German and conversational in Spanish, Marie-Claire is also a Fellow of the RSA.

Residing in Central Bath, Marie-Claire is committed to enriching society through her work and personal interests. She is Vice Chair of the Corporation and Chair of the Curriculum and Quality Committee.

Lisa Ford is an alumni of Bath College and is a highly skilled finance professional with extensive experience in enhancing finance functions and delivering process improvements across both the retail and service sectors. With a proven track record of managing teams and ensuring high-quality output under tight deadlines, Lisa excels in building strong business partner relationships and communicating effectively at all levels.

Currently serving as Finance Lead for Adult Social Care Transformation at Bath & North Somerset Council, Lisa is responsible for month-end forecasting, budgeting, and various government returns for multiple functions. Her career includes significant roles at Vodafone UK Ltd, Virgin Mobile Telecoms Ltd, EMI Compact Disk UK Ltd, Eurest Sutcliffe, and IMI Webber, where she has consistently driven improvements in financial controls, reporting accuracy, and cost management.

Lisa is a Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA) and holds a BTEC National Diploma in Business & Finance from Bath College. Her IT expertise includes proficiency in Business Objects, SAP, Lawson, Mapics, Hyperion, Strategix, Concur, and Microsoft Office applications.

Residing in Bristol, Lisa is dedicated to continuous improvement and delivering exceptional results. Lisa is Chair of the Finance and Resources Committee.

Mike Oram is a highly skilled web developer with extensive experience in front-end development, design, and project management. With a career spanning over a decade, Mike has worked with prominent organisations such as Funds Library (Hargreaves Lansdown), Future Publishing, and Virgin Mobile Telecoms Ltd, where he has consistently delivered innovative and effective web solutions.

Mike's expertise includes HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, PHP, SQL, and various frameworks and technologies such as CakePHP, Backbone.js, and Sass. He has a proven track record of enhancing website functionality, improving user experience, and implementing monetisation strategies informing his passion for all things digital.

In addition to his professional achievements, Mike is known for his creative and out-of-the-box ideas, which have earned him recognition in the web design community. Mike's dedication to teamwork, communication, and continuous improvement makes him a valuable asset to the Curriculum and Quality Committee.

Residing in Keynsham, Bristol, Mike is committed to contributing to the growth and success of Bath College as a Governor.

Adam Gould is an experienced and enthusiastic internal auditor with extensive knowledge in Higher Education and Further Education. Working with Bath University currently, Adam is a specialist in student services, legislative compliance, financial audits, capital projects, IT management, data returns, research and governance.  

Previously Adam was a senior auditor with Mazaars and his audit profile across a range of organisations and settings is vast. His accomplishments here included developing audit strategies and plans for Higher and Further Education Institutions and developing and delivering innovative training solutions and audit tools.

Adam is a chartered Accountant (ACCA) and has both a BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance from UWE and a B/E in Accountancy and Business Economics from Haarlem University.

Adam has held Trustee roles in the third sector including leading challenging debrokers and fundraising campaign and is passionate about the role of further education in the training and skills sector.  Adam is a member of the Audit Committee.

Sarah Finch is an adaptable professional with extensive experience in project leadership, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven decision-making in careers guidance and community-focused roles across the South West. Sarah is our Careers and Skills Lead Governor and a member of the Curriculum and Quality Committee.

Sarah is skilled in aligning organisational goals with local and national priorities, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, and delivering transformative outcomes and has experience in the third sector and local government where she is currently Employment and Skills Lead at Bath and North East Somerset Council. Her prior experience includes directing multi-agency partnership employability projects; expanding partner networks to fill skills gaps, delivering mentoring programmes to reduce offending and promote stable lifestyles and supporting young people in setting and achieving personal and professional goals.

Sarah has a MA in Coaching and Mentoring Practice and a L6 Diploma in Careers Guidance and Development and is passionate about personal growth, and progression opportunities for all.

Ebner works as a Business Development Consultant in the Business Development Team.  

Ebner grew up in Radstock visiting Bath most weekends. Football obsessed since being 5 years old, Ebner's first 'proper' job was working in Primark when it first opened in Bath, becoming an MIS Apprentice at Wiltshire College aged 18. At Bath College, Ebner supported the Apprenticeships team mostly, which then led to joining the Business Development Team as a Work Placement Officer. Having joined Bath College in the summer of 2021 for a new opportunity doing Work Placements the role changed when the Business Development team was formed, bringing increased passion for the role.

Steve is Curriculum Team Leader for Motor Vehicle, Building and Land-Based services.

I began my professional journey by completing a Level 3 Apprenticeship at Radstock College after leaving school. Following this, I dedicated 11 years to working as a technician at Peugeot before transitioning into a sales role with the same company for a year. My career in the automotive industry continued with five years as Service Manager at Avalon Garage and a subsequent year as General Manager at Bear Workshops.

I spent nine years at Rotork Engineering while simultaneously pursuing and completing a degree in Sports and Exercise Science at Manchester Metropolitan University. During this time, I developed a strong foundation in engineering and an appreciation for the importance of education and professional development.

My passion for teaching and training led me to Trowbridge College, where I taught Motor Vehicle for five years. While there, I completed the SET program through the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) and collaborated with WorldSkills and the Centre of Excellence to train educators on innovative strategies for inspiring and educating students. Recognised for my commitment to curriculum development, I was invited to join the Curriculum Influencer Program, where I worked with other colleges to enhance teaching standards and practices. I now work as CTL for motor vehicle and building services at Bath College.

Beyond my professional roles, I served as Chairman of the Youth Section at my local rugby club, became a qualified boxing instructor who worked with schools, and engaged in youth work with children, emphasising personal growth and teamwork. 

Bob is the Course Coordinator for Part-Time and Distance Learning. He is a member of the Staff Well-being and Somer Valley Working Groups. As Staff Governor, Bob's role is to represent the views of the staff community at Board.

1. Set and periodically review the educational character and mission of the college, ensuring strategic alignment and effective oversight of its activities.
2. Ensure the effective and efficient use of resources, through approval of college's annual income and expenditure estimates, as well as safeguarding the solvency and assets of both the College and the Corporation.
3. Oversee the appointment, pay and conditions of senior post holders and the overall framework for staffing across the College.

To execute these responsibilities, the Corporation has established four committees: Curriculum & Quality, Finance & Resources, Audit, and Governance. These committees enable members to apply their expertise to review and evaluate key areas in detail, advising the Corporation and making decisions within defined terms of reference.

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