Governance and Leadership

Dawn joined the Board in 2015. She was previously Principal & CEO at Landmarks College and Vice Principal at Portland College. She is now the Karten Network Manager and also provides consultancy services in whole College/School improvement and behaviour support.

Mark joined the Board in 2019, becoming Vice Chair in 2023. He has worked in Local Government for 25 years and led and worked with companies supporting people with disabilities to reach their potential in sport, culture and in their personal lives.  Mark is now Director of Partnerships for Nimbus Disability which, through their Queen’s Award winning business, opens up an accessible future to disabled people all over the world. Mark is also a celebrated Paralympian and former Para Ice Hockey Team GB Captain.

Peter joined the Board in 2017. Peter retired as Commercial Director of Severfield PLC and Chief Operating Officer of Watson Steel in 2013. He now works as a consultant in the Construction industry and for Laing O’Rourke Ltd. 

Amanda joined the Board in 2018. She has worked in NHS rehabilitation and mental health services for most of her career, latterly leading county primary care mental health services. She has been a visiting lecturer at Nottingham and Oxford Universities. She is co-owner of Sweeney and Farr Associates offering mental health treatments and organisational well-being. Amanda has extensive experience in the voluntary sector in the city and county of Nottinghamshire and is a former High Sheriff and current Deputy Lieutenant of the county.

Dean joined the Board in 2017 when he was Chair of NHS ULHT and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. He currently holds Non-Executive Board appointments with the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman (where he is Chair of the Quality Committee) and the Academy for Health Care Science (where he is Chair of the Life Sciences Steering Group). He is also a Trustee of the Charity Care After Combat, Chair of the Midlands Engine’s Health Care and Life Science Board and Independent Chair of Quality Safety and Risk at Voyage Care. In addition, Dean holds Honorary Visiting Professor roles with the Universities of Nottingham and Lincoln.

Sarah joined the Board in 2018. She is Assistant Director Quality Governance and Assurance for Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Trust.

Stephen joined the Board in 2019.  He is a commercially focused Executive with global experience.  He has 30 years board level experience in Finance, IT and Commercial Development and more recently Nottingham Trent University.  He is the Vice Chair of Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust and a member of other education and sport charities.

Samantha joined the Board in 2021 as Nottinghamshire County Council’s representative.

June has extensive experience working in specialist further education at RNIB College Loughborough (now known as Sense College Loughborough) for the past twenty-nine years as both Assistant Principal and College Principal.

June is a qualified FE teacher with a specialism in sight loss and has a Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management. 

Dianne joined the Board in January 2023. Dianne is an experienced Finance Director with extensive knowledge and experience from working in the Education Sector for over 25 years. Dianne is a non-executive director of a housing association and also Chair of Notts County Foundation who are the independent charitable arm of Notts County Football Club.

David joined the Board in 2023. He has over 30 years’ experience of local government, across a number of functions. Much of this has been in management roles associated with change and modernisation; including the provision of school transport for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. David is involved with the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Nottingham, where he is Head of the Audit Committee. He is also Joint Chair of the North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership.

Helen joined the Board on 8^th November 2023.  Helen has been on the Board of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists since 2019 and has been involved in several clinical reviews for the National Institute for Health Research.  Over the years she has developed a comprehensive understanding of care best practices, regulatory compliance and risk management.  She is a Director of Delphi Care Solutions.