Kendal College is run by a Board of Governors who take strategic decisions that will shape the college of the future.
Board vacancies.
Being a board member of one of over 200 Further Education Colleges in England can be very rewarding and enables you to make a difference to the lives of the many thousands of young people and adults who train and develop their skills in this important sector. The Board of Kendal College make the key decisions that ensure the future of the college is secure and that the courses and training delivered meet the needs of our local community.
We are always keen to hear from anyone interested in joining the board as representatives of the local community who can bring vocational expertise and sector experience to help the College ensure it meets the skills needs of local employers.
The Board is currently seeking a governor or governors with a background in or experience of Safeguarding and SEND provision to act as link governor for these important areas of the college.
Being part of the Board means you will experience first-hand the opportunities the College offers and ensure the requirements of the South Lakes community in terms of training and services are met. It is an exciting time to be involved with the College as it continues to broaden its curriculum and build on its excellent reputation, especially as it has previously been ranked as number 1 in the country (based on 4 key indicators linked to satisfaction levels and student progression).
Recruitment to the Board occurs throughout the year and is aligned with known vacancies and identified skills gaps. We would especially welcome applications from exceptional people and from employers who can give time to support the College's ongoing development. We are always keen to hear from people with strong financial and business expertise, and the role is ideal for those with recent senior boardroom experience. The role is also suitable for those seeking to broaden their own experience by joining a board.
We are also seeking governors with Further Education experience who can support curriculum development and quality oversight. Plus we have a vacancy for a governor with a strong knowledge of safeguarding and/or SEND provision.
The Board encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds and interests and operates an inclusive policy in respect of Board membership.
If you are interested in finding out more, please contact the Director of Governance, Carole Drury, for more information.
m 07718741841
e carole.drury@kendal.ac.uk
The Board's structure means that most of its work is carried out at Board meetings, which take place a minimum of 6 times per year. The Board is also supported by 2 committees: Audit & Risk and Search & Governance, which meet on a termly basis, plus a Remuneration Committee that meets a minimum of once per year. Additional assurance on Finance is provided by a Finance & Resources working group, made up of governors and senior staff who together can provide scrutiny of the financial position and oversee capital projects.
Our standing orders propose 11 business members plus 2 staff and at least 2 student members and the College Principal, making a total of 16 full members but may increase where governors with the right skills are identified. The Board can also be supported by co-opted members, who bring additional skills to the Committees. In addition, the Board sets up working groups that bring in specific expertise and can provide additional assurance to the Board.
The Board works to its statutory Instrument & Articles of Governance with members acting in the capacity of trustees and with the College holding exempt charitable status. The Board has adopted the Code of Good Governance for English Colleges and allied Remuneration Code and operates its business in line with its Standing Orders.
Minutes of all Board and Committee meetings are published in line with statutory requirements and following board or committee approval.
Jon Thedham
Chair of Corporation
Jon was appointed Chair of Corporation in July 2021 having joined Kendal College Board in 2016, bringing with him a vast amount of sector experience to the College. Jon lives locally and has over 25 years experience of providing training, coaching and consultancy to a wide range of organisations across the UK and internationally. He has worked in the FE sector for over 28 years with experience as a chief examiner, assistant principal and lecturer. He currently delivers leadership and management programmes across the FE sector.
Ben Rockliffe
Vice Chair and Chair of Remuneration Committee
Ben joined the Board in 2019 having relocated to the area. He is an experienced education professional and is skilled in the development of qualifications, assessments and policy. Skilled in project, stakeholder and line management, Ben currently works for AlphaPlus, an education service business that specialises in standards, assessment and certification.
Neil Boggin
Board Member and Chair of Audit & Risk
Neil joined the board in 2020 and brings almost 40 years of experience from the chemical & pharmaceutical industry. He is a chemist by training and has worked across many disciplines – technical, operations, procurement & business improvement, most recently with GSK at Ulverston.
Kevin Boles
Board Member and Chair of Search & Governance Committee
Kevin is in his first term as a governor, having retired from his role as Head of Business Development at the University of Central Lancashire where he was responsible for the strategic leadership and management of the University’s Knowledge Exchange Framework practices and policies
He has extensive experience of the higher education sector and working with colleges in areas of business development and apprenticeships.
Kirsty Heywood-MacDonald
Co-opted Member of Audit & Risk Committee
Kirsty brings her accounting skills and experience to the Audit & Risk committee. She is a former accounting student of the college, has worked in the hospitality sector and now runs her own very busy accountancy business.
John Mansergh
Board Member and Vice Chair of Audit & Risk Committee
John joined the board in 2021 and brings with him a high level of experience from his different roles at South Lakes Housing where he is part of the executive team. He describes himself as a business "all rounder" and has specific expertise in governance, strategy, performance and risk management.
Ben Matthews
Board Member and member of Search & Governance Committee
Ben brings a wide range of educational experience to the Board being part of the senior team at Lancaster University where he is the Head of Global Engagement. Ben is passionate about the power of education to change lives, recognising the strong contribution the college can make in its community.
Kelvin Nash
Kendal College Principal & Search and Governance Committee Member
Michael Watts
Staff Governor
Michael joined the Board 2019 in his capacity as Business Support staff governor. His college role is that of Catering Manager and as such he has a lot of interaction with both staff and students across the College.
Carole Drury
Director of Governance
Carole is an experienced Clerk and has worked in the further education sector in both teaching and management roles since 1981. The role is part time over two days per week and allows her to also work as a National Leader of Governance, with the Further Education Commissioner's team on governance and as an external reviewer for AoC and ETF.
Evans Mutikani
Student Governor
Evans is a second year level 3 Art & Design student who is enjoying his college experience and is very keen to work with the board on improvements. He has joined the Search & Governance Committee
Wybie Dodd
Student Governor
Wybie is also a second year student on the Theatre and Event Technology course, based at the Arts & Media campus. Wybie is also a student ambassador at the college.
Helen Price
Board Member and Chair of Finance & Resources Working Group
Helen was appointed as a new governor at the Board December 2022 meeting and will be a very welcome addition being a qualified accountant with a lot of valuable experience across a number of industries. She has spent most of her career working in financial services, most recently as Finance Director for a financial services group who are owned by a charity and are one of the biggest corporate donors in the UK.
Helen will be taking on the role of Chair of the Finance & Resources Working Group to provide additional assurance to the Board on its finances and capital projects
Elaine Davies
Board Member and member of Finance & Resources Working Group
Elaine joined the Board in Spring 2023 bringing to the Board a range of skills linked to finance and financial services, in her role as a Commercial Finance Consultant. Elaine is keen to use her skills to support the college and make a difference.
Rachel Tyson
Board Member
Rachel is Head of Partnerships & Projects at Cumbria Tourism where she is Deputy to the MD and part of Cumbria Tourism’s Senior Management Team. She works continuously to promote hospitality as a worthwhile career within Cumbria and links closely with the college to support this important skills area. She is also part of the LSIP Steering Group and the Cornerstone Employer Group a group of 300 businesses in England who are committed to helping young people to find their ‘next best step’ out of education into employment
Andy James
photo awaited
Board Member
Andy joined the Board in Spring 2023 and is Operations Director of Westmorland Family, a key Cumbrian-based employer. He is passionate about the long term success of the college and its students and has a lot of experience in developing strategy within the hospitality and customer services area.
