Our Governors

Will Abbott (Chair)

External Governor, Chair of the Board of Governors

Partner, Randall & Payne LLP; Director, White Horse Training Ltd; Chartered Accountant

I joined the Board at Gloucestershire College as I believe training the next generation is essential for the development of society and for economic growth. Gloucestershire College offers opportunities to a broad range of students from a wide range of backgrounds, giving opportunities for all and hope for the future. I am delighted to be a part of shaping the strategic direction of the College.

Katie Blackbird

Managing Director, Glaston Consulting Ltd

With over 20 years’ experience providing facilities management services to educational facilities across the UK, I have seen how important further education is for everyone to achieve their aspirations. As a governor I want to share my knowledge and experience to support the College as a major organisation with a large estate comprising three campuses across the county to provide the best education and the right skills for the wider local community.

Matthew Burgess

Principal of Gloucestershire College, Ex Officio Governor

Matthew was appointed Principal of Gloucestershire College in September 2013. He is a Chartered Accountant. He joined in 1998 as Vice Principal with responsibility for Finance, Management Information Systems, IT & Business Development. Matthew is committed to putting GC at the heart of its community. 

Peter Carr

External Governor

Director of Employment and Skills, GFirst LEP

I joined the Board of Governors of the College to use my experience of further and adult education, online learning, business development and links with the local business community to help the College provide the skills and support necessary for its students to succeed.

Anthony Dover

External Governor

Principal, iRisk.co

I joined the Board of Governors to contribute my specialist knowledge as a qualified auditor with experience in audit, governance and risk. As a local business owner, I firmly believe in the importance of the role of Further Education colleges in supplying the skills needed for local businesses to succeed.

Scott Harvey

External Governor

Chartered Manager; Retired Company Director with both private and public sector experience; Experienced Governor in Higher and Further Education, Secondary and Special Needs Provision; Gloucestershire First Ambassador

I started my working life as an engineering apprentice, part-studying in a technical college. Years later, having switched careers several times and worked my way to board level, I want to use my experience to help where my career started.

Phil Head

External Governor

Formerly Head of Capital Builds at the Skills Funding Agency; Chartered Surveyor

I joined the Board of Governors to use my skills and experience in capital funding to support and help develop the College because I fully believe that a thriving FE college sector is vital to the UK economy and for the career and employment prospects of young people.

Angela Hughes

Staff Governor

Deputy Head of Teaching, Learning and Improvement

Having left school at 16 with few qualifications, I have reason to be grateful to Gloucestershire College for accepting me as a mature student and providing the nursery support that allowed me to take a new direction in life. My belief in the College’s ability to transform the life chances of learners and act as a positive force in our communities led me to volunteer as a staff governor.

My teaching career has taken me to a range of settings including SEND and re-engagement and apprenticeships, eventually arriving at GC in 2008 to teach Access to Higher Education and Teacher Training. At the College, I have held a number of additional roles such as Higher Education Manager and Learning Coach.

I want to use my long and diverse experience to serve the College at a time when colleges have a vital role to play in national recovery. 

Drew Humphreys

Staff Governor

Learning Support Coordinator, Learning Support

Since joining GC, I have held various roles. I began as a Learning Support Assistant and then became a Lead Practitioner, which enabled me to develop partnerships across the organisation and take on additional responsibilities. I enjoyed a very successful year as a lecturer in First Steps, before becoming the Learning Support Coordinator for the Gloucester campus. I have been privileged to work with many passionate and experienced colleagues who have supported my development and shown me that GC is highly ambitious for both its learners and staff.

With the experience I have gained across a range of roles and strong professional relationships with colleagues, I feel I can make a valuable contribution to the strategic direction of the College for the benefit of all our learners and staff.

Mary James

External Governor, Vice Chair of the Board of Governors and Designated Safeguarding Link Governor

Former Head of Vocational Publishing for Heinemann; Former Head of BTEC (Product Management) for Pearson

I strongly believe in vocational education and want to offer my skills and experience of working for awarding bodies within this sector to support the College in its vital role of providing further education for the benefit of the local community and the economy.

Dr Heather Moyes

External Governor

Deputy Director, (Policy Development and Student Experience), Student and Academic Services, UWE Bristol

With 20 years’ experience in teaching and professional service roles in UK universities, I am passionate about the power of good education to transform lives. The relationship between further and higher education providers is important and evolving. I hope to be able to bring my knowledge of higher education to the Board to ensure the College is well placed to deliver for its students and for the region.

Liz Narey

External Governor

Portfolio CFO on behalf of the FD and CFO Centre; NED; Former Head of Capital Investments, Babcock International Group PLC

Having spent the last 25 years in demanding, senior executive corporate roles at Babcock International and VT Groups, I joined the Board to put something back into my local community. I use my extensive knowledge of commercial negotiations, investment evaluation, funding, enterprise risk management and financing of large infrastructure projects/corporate acquisitions to support the College’ financial sustainability so that it can continue to provide the best opportunities for its learners.

Helen Ridler

External Governor

Director and Independent HR Consultant, Belford House HR Limited; Former Secondary School Teacher in Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire College has significant aspirations and impact on the local community and its young people. The link with local business is vital and one I believe I am equipped to support. I joined the GC Board to offer the skills and experience I have gained in Human Resources in both SME and large corporate organisations to help GC deliver its strategic objectives, both as an important local employer and as an educational institution that works with local employers.