Governance and Leadership

Anita joined the College in February 2020 as our Vice-Principal and is passionate about creating an excellent learning environment for every student attending Craven College. Anita started her career as a research scientist specialising in childhood cancers and has presented on this subject at national and international conferences. Seeing how she was inspiring girls and young women to study science whilst lecturing part-time, led her to the path of teaching full-time. The past 17 years of her career have been spent in the Further Education sector at a management level leading diverse, multi-disciplinary teams. The quality-focused teams that Anita has led have won awards for innovation in teaching, learning and assessment and employer engagement.

Gareth is a highly experienced finance professional, formerly with PwC and Morrisons, who brings significant strategic and commercial expertise to the college. Gareth has worked across a range of sectors over a 20-year period including social housing, professional services and retail. He is a chartered accountant and holds an MBA from Warwick Business School. Gareth joined the College in June 2020 and leads the financial and support functions within the College.

Duncan started in Further Education in 1999 as a Sports teacher and has worked in curriculum management for the past 17 years. He has managed a number of curriculum departments including Sport, Public Services, Construction, Engineering, Motor vehicle and Business and has had responsibility for developing curriculum from 14-16 provision to Level 6. For the past seven years, Duncan has been involved in supporting underperforming areas to make significant improvements in outcomes for learners through developing a curriculum offer that supports learner experience and employer engagement. Duncan has a significant understanding of Apprenticeship delivery, T Level implementation and development of team cultures and putting the learner at the heart of everything we do.

With a career spanning 24 years, Wesley has been a transformative force in education. Starting in primary school education and then onto Further Education, he has worked with students of all ages and backgrounds, especially young people, those with high needs and Higher Education students within a Further Education setting.
Having initially qualified as a primary teacher with a degree and Postgraduate Certificate in Education, Wesley started his career as an FE lecturer in Early Years before moving into a number of leadership roles. His exceptional achievements include leading curriculum provision from ‘inadequate’ to ‘outstanding’ grading and leading his team to be awarded the prestigious National Teaching Award for ‘Team of the Year’.

Alison retired as Principal of York College in May 2019 after 35 years in the FE sector. She was privileged to lead and work at three outstanding colleges, York College, Nelson and Colne College and Runshaw College. Alison also served as President of the Association of Colleges, working with them to campaign for increased funding for the FE sector. She was awarded the OBE for services to education in 2012 and an honorary doctorate from York University. Additionally, Alison is a musician (bassoonist) and enjoys walking, beekeeping and helping with her new granddaughter.

Dean is Strategic Director of Finance and Resources at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and has worked in local government for over 30 years. Originally from Huddersfield, he qualified as an Accountant with Kirklees Metropolitan Council. He has held senior finance positions at a number of other councils including Barnsley MBC, Craven DC, Kirklees C, Pendle BC and Selby DC.
Dean has a keen interest in raising aspirations and educational outcomes of Children and provides a leading role on All-Age Skills, Education and Employment for Lancashire Chief Executives.

Anita joined the College in February 2020 as our Vice-Principal and is passionate about creating an excellent learning environment for every student attending Craven College. Anita started her career as a research scientist specialising in childhood cancers and has presented on this subject at national and international conferences. Seeing how she was inspiring girls and young women to study science whilst lecturing part-time, led her to the path of teaching full-time. The past 17 years of her career have been spent in the Further Education sector at a management level leading diverse, multi-disciplinary teams. The quality-focused teams that Anita has led have won awards for innovation in teaching, learning and assessment and employer engagement.

Majid believes in equal access to education for all. He has lots of experience of services relating to safeguarding, student welfare and wellbeing, Prevent and mental health support through his work in Further Education Colleges. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and travel.

Nichola has extensive experience in the audit and risk assurance sector. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and currently works as Head of Internal Audit at Adam Smith International. When not busy working, Nicki enjoys hiking, particularly around her adopted home of Yorkshire.

Sara was Director of MIS at Nelson and Colne College and spent almost thirty years in the FE sector, until retirement in July 2023.  Sara has a wealth of management experience in FE funding and the analysis and provision of information, as well as curriculum planning and budgeting. Through a number of college mergers she has played a key role in systems review, and the raising of standards in information capture and analysis in order to inform business decisions. As data lead Sara participated in two Ofsted inspections, both graded Outstanding. Sara now spends much of her time caring for both the older and younger generations in her family, and enjoys a variety of creative hobbies after many years spent at the computer.

Heather is currently Assistant Director, Estates and Facilities, at the University of Huddersfield. She has extensive experience in capital projects and facilities management and holds an MBA in Facilities Management

Habibe is an elected non-teaching staff Governor. Currently, he is a T Level Industry Placement Officer. As a former student, he is passionate about contributing to the success of the College and empowering the next generation of students. With over 15 years of experience working with young people in a variety of settings, he is aware of some of the very real challenges faced by them today. He is committed to supporting Craven College’s strategic direction and continuous improvement.

Judith is a very experienced AAT (Accountancy) Lecturer. She worked at other Further Education institutions before joining Craven College. When not teaching, she is kept busy helping out on the family farm.

Marnie is in her third year at the College and is currently studying Access to HE Health Professions. She was delighted to join the Board as a student governor. In her spare time, she volunteers for Share Skipton and has enjoyed being involved with Bradford 2025. Next year she hopes to go to university in York.

Chris has over 18 years’ of experience working in Further Education, in particular the employment and skills sector.  Chris is also highly experienced in curriculum design, quality improvement, management information, and contract management and serves on a number of advisory and focus groups.

Mark is an Architect, non-executive Director, and business owner who has extensive commercial experience and a proven track record in strategic growth. Emotionally intelligent and committed to developing others, he has a solid record in building trust and high-performing teams. He has a firm commitment to improving education for all.

Neil is a great supporter of the local community and an experienced Governor who is still very active in this role as Chair of Thornton in Craven school and Chair of Skipton BID. He is passionate about creating opportunities and raising the aspirations of young people. Neil is a young person’s volunteer for the King’s Trust and works with them to help them gain the skills and confidence they need to achieve their goals.
He worked for many years as Managing Director of one of the UK’s biggest public house companies. He has a great deal of experience in hospitality management in addition to developing several leisure and building development lead property businesses.
Neil has an MBA in Business Administration. In his spare time very much enjoys skiing, scuba diving, rowing and playing the drums!

Rob has extensive financial experience having worked in a number of businesses including as Group Chief Finance Officer for Key Group. His work covered income, expenditure and capital expenditure. He has overseen specific projects covering acquisition and capital projects for a number of large national companies. Rob is also a non-executive Director for a local charity providing free professional careers advice and support across Cumbria and Lancashire. Rob is FCA qualified.

Claire worked for many years as the commercial manager and event organiser for Equestrian Management Consultants Limited. Claire was also responsible for the commercial arm of the British Equestrian Trade Association, reporting to the Finance and General Purposes Committee and BETA Council. She is experienced in the preparation of monthly accounts and annual budgets, staffing, and in instigating and fulfilling consultancy and sponsorship projects.