Our Governors

Trish Burton (Chair)

External Governor

• Former Vice Principal, North East Worcestershire College

I joined the board as I wanted my 30 years of knowledge and skills to be useful and to give something back to a sector that I am very passionate about. 

I have a lot of experience in developing ideas, people and teams and hope to contribute in a way that benefits the College and its communities. 

Matthew Burgess

Principal of Gloucestershire College

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

Lead Commissioner - Employment & Skills with Gloucestershire County Council and GFirst LEP

I joined the Board to use my experience of further and adult education, online learning, business development and links with the business community in order to help the College in providing the skills and  support to help it’s students succeed.

Phil Head

External Governor

• Formerly Head of Capital Builds at Skills Funding Agency

I fully support and believe that a thriving FE College sector is vital to the UK economy and for the career and employment prospects of young people. I would like to support and help develop FE.

Helen Ridler

External Governor

• Director and Independent HR Consultant - Belford House HR Limited
• Progressed HR career in SME and large corporate companies
• Former Secondary School Teacher in Gloucestershire

I joined the GC Board and Business & Resources Committee as I would like to use my accumulated skills & experience to help GC as an important local institution while continuing to work with local employers. GC has significant aspirations and impact on the local community and its young people. The link with business is vital and one I believe I am equipped to support.

Mary James

External Governor and Nominated Safeguarding 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 experience in this sector to support the college in its vital role in providing FE for the local community and the economy.

Will Abbott

External Governor

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 a society and growth. Gloucestershire College offers opportunities to a broad range of students from a wide range of backgrounds, giving all opportunities and hope for the future.

Anthony Dover

External Governor

Principal, iRisk.co

I joined to contribute my specialist knowledge as a qualified auditor with experience in audit, governance and risk.  

Drew Humphreys

Staff Nominated Member

• LEARNING SUPPORT COORDINATOR, LEARNING SUPPORT

Since joining GC over three years ago, I have held various roles. I began as an LSA and this helped me to realise the high aspirations we have for our learners. I became a Lead Practitioner LSA, which enabled me to develop partnerships across the organization and experience additional responsibilities. I enjoyed a very successful year as a lecturer in First Steps, before becoming the Learning support Coordinator for Gloucester. I have been privileged to work with so many passionate and vastly experienced colleagues, who have supported my development. I am highly driven and ambitious for the learners and myself.

With my varied experiences across a range of roles, and strong professional relationships with my colleagues, I feel that as a Staff Governor I can make a valuable contribution in the strategic direction of the College for the betterment of our learners and staff.

Becoming a staff governor will not only help me to gain valuable strategic knowledge and continue my self-development. I can continue to have a greater impact and contribute to the success of GC.

Dr Heather Moyes

External Governor

• Deputy Director, (Policy Development & Student Experience), Student & Academic Services, UWE Bristol
• 20 years experience in teaching & 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."

Scott Harvey

External Governor - Governance Review & Search Committee

Chartered Manager

Retired Company Director with both private & public sector experience

Experienced Governor in Higher and Further Education, Secondary & Special Needs Provision

Gloucestershire First Ambassador

I started my working life as an engineering apprentice part studying in a technical college and years later when I had both switched careers several times and worked my way to board level I wanted to use my experience to help where my career started.

Eli Heathfield

Student Governor - studying level 4 BTEC Higher National Business

Gregory Carstensen

External Governor - Director GS&I Ltd – Corporate Risk Management Consulting

I joined the Board to provide subject matter expertise in risk management and to provide a perspective on risk management within the education sector.

I have joined the GC Board and Risk & Audit Committee to contribute my private and public sector risk, governance, compliance and infrastructure delivery experience. My aim is to support the ongoing success of GC for current and future students, whilst fulfilling the duties of Governorship. Having moved from South Africa to West London, then  to Qatar and now to Gloucestershire, I see this as an excellent opportunity to share my experience with a vital service to the community in which my family and I live.

Liz Narey

Head of Capital Investments, Babcock International Group plc

External Governor

Katie Blackbird

External Governor - Managing Director, Glaston Consulting Ltd

With over 20 years experiece providing facilities management (FM) Services to educational facilities, across the UK, I have seen how important education is for everyone to achieve their own aspirations.  Now as a College Governor I can share all my knowledge and experience to help support the College and the wider local community to ensure the best education and provide the right skills for everyone.

Angela Hughes

Staff Nominated Member - 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 has led me to volunteer as a staff governor.

My teaching career has taken me to a range of settings including: SEND, re-engagement and apprenticeships, eventually arriving at GC in 2008 to teach Access to HE and Teacher Training. Since being at the college I have held a number of additional roles such as HE Manager and Learning Coach and last year I made the move to the Teaching and Learning Department as Deputy Head.

 I would like to use my long and diverse experience to serve the college at a time when we all have such a vital role to play in national recovery.  I have been focused on helping develop the college through teaching and developing teachers up to this point but I would love the opportunity to guide its future direction from a more strategic viewpoint”.

Alistair Shaw

Student Governor – studying Level 3 BTEC Mechanical Engineering

I joined the Board to have a positive impact towards the community and to further my ability in professional debate.