Governance and Policies

Helen was appointed Principal and CEO of Brockenhurst College in June 2023, following seven years as Deputy Principal at Esher Sixth Form College. She has worked in education all her professional career, having graduated from the University of Liverpool with a BSc in Physical Education, Sports Science and Geography, as well as a PGCE in Secondary Education. She is a firm believer in the value of post-16 education for students and the wider community. As a result, she has worked specifically in this sector since 2010. Her background and areas of expertise comprise quality improvement and development, curriculum strategy and planning, and wider learning and external partnerships. This was demonstrated during an Ofsted inspection at her previous college 2022, when as Ofsted Lead she led the institution to an Ofsted rating of Outstanding in all areas. Helen is also a member of the Sixth Form Colleges Association’s Curriculum and Quality Committee.

Gary is a member of the Quality and Curriculum committee. He originally joined the Corporation as a Governor in 2008, retiring from the Board in 2013 but continuing as a co-opted member of the Employment and Personnel Committee until 2018. He was then re-appointed to the Corporation as a Governor that same year. Gary is also the Link Governor for Health and Safety and Safeguarding. He retired from the police in 2015, having served in both the Metropolitan Police Service and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary for over 30 years combined. Gary was first involved with the College when he was the Chief Inspector in charge of policing the New Forest district. He is now a security consultant and provides advice and guidance for international sports teams and events. Both his children attended Brockenhurst College before establishing successful careers. His daughter is now a doctor working in Birmingham and his son is a local businessman and reservist soldier.

James was appointed to the Board in July 2015. He is Vice-Chair of Corporation and is a member of the Strategy, Governance and Search Committee, and the Resources Committee. James is also the Governor’s representative for the Students’ Union. He is currently the Managing Director of Greenclose Hotels and is responsible for the day to day running of three hotels in the group, which employs around 300 staff. Prior to this, James was the general manager of Careys Manor Hotel and was responsible for the daily running of the business. He is committed to developing the skills, knowledge and understanding of all age ranges, but in particular young people. James is well-known locally as a promoter of young talent, particularly from his workforce. His son and daughter were both students at Brockenhurst College.

Lisa has worked at the College for 20 years and is Head of Curriculum for Early Childhood, Health Studies and HE. She holds various professional qualifications which include a BA (Hons) Education from the University of Southampton, Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Winchester and is a Senior Fellow of Advance HE.

Vicky was appointed to the Board in December 2022. She is a member of the Quality and Curriculum Committee. She is the Headteacher of Greenwood School with responsibility for the strategic leadership of the school. She has been fortunate enough to be part of the governing bodies of a number of secondary schools as well as currently serving as part of her own management committee.

Matt was appointed to the board in December 2024. He is a member of the quality and curriculum committee. Matt is the Director of the South Coast Institute of Technology, a collaboration of industry and education partners working together to promote career pipelines into maritime, engineering, and digital careers. He is a member of the Hampshire Skills Partnership, the New Forest Skills Group, and the Solent Freeport Skills Advisory Group. He is a Senior Fellow of Advance HE and has worked in Higher Education for over 25 years as a senior lecturer, course leader, and then education leader. Alongside this he has also worked in the sports industry as an International level rugby coach and professional sport scientist. His daughter studied Level 3 Children’s play, learning and development at the College and has continued at Brock to study an Early Years Foundation Degree. He is passionate about delivering high quality real-world learning.

After a successful career in the Royal Air Force, Alistair completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Careers Guidance and became a qualified careers adviser. He has since spent over 20 years working in post-16 education, holding various roles in careers and admissions departments, with a focus on delivering and managing Careers Education and Guidance.

In 2017, he was shortlisted for UK Careers Adviser of the Year by the Career Development Institute, and in 2019, he received a Hampshire Education Award for his outstanding contribution to Careers Guidance. He joined Brockenhurst College in 2021 as the Careers Leader.

Bob was appointed to the Board as Chair of Governors in July 2024. He was previously a Governor and the Vice Chair from 2002 to 2015. Bob retired from his role as Director of Business Development at the University of Warwick in 2018. Prior to this he worked as Executive Director for two FTSE 100 listed corporations, and before that he was Executive Director of Education for Southampton City Council. Earlier in his career, Bob worked as a Headteacher at two schools. He has also served as Chair of Governors at a local primary school and has served as a trustee for several other organisations.

Rob was appointed to the Board in December 2021 and is a member of the Resources Committee. He currently works for BCP FuturePlaces – the urban regeneration company for Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council. This organisation works to deliver new residential and commercial development in the area based on a long-term stewardship model. Rob previously worked for eight years at the Dorset and Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnerships, delivering multi-million capital investments to economic development projects across the region. This money was invested in new skills, transport and digital infrastructure. Earlier he spent ten years working in Further Education, occupying senior roles focused on work-based learning, innovation and employer engagement. Rob was also an independent director at Poole Housing Partnership between 2015 and 2020. He is a Law graduate from the University of Birmingham and a qualified project and programme manager.

 Shaun was appointed to the Board in March 2022 and is Chair of the Audit Committee. He is the former Executive Director, Engagement and Advancement, at the University of Southampton. He has previously worked as Director of Corporate Affairs at Carlton Communications plc (ITV), Guardian News & Media, and Leonard Cheshire Disability. He has also acted as CEO of the TV and film producers’ trade body PACT, and as a non-executive director at NHS Blood and Transplant. He is a former newspaper reporter, BBC television director and ITV producer.

Jerry was appointed to the Board in March 2023 and is a member of the Audit Committee. He is a Brock alumnus and a KPMG-qualified Chartered Accountant. Jerry recently retired – his last role being with Birkenstock UK Ltd, where he was Finance Director for five years. Before this he built his career in the drinks industry, where he spent 25 years working for William Grant & Sons and Bacardi Martini in a variety of senior finance roles. These included three Finance Director roles covering the UK and EMEA. Jerry has led two global transformation programmes, implementing IT systems and improving operational processes. He has broad commercial experience, having sat on boards in the UK, France and Portugal as a non-executive director.

Jenny was appointed to the Board in March 2023. She is a member of the Quality and Curriculum Committee. During her 30-plus year career in HE she has navigated a wide range of complex and testing leadership and governance challenges and has a passion for of diversity, equity and inclusion and supporting teams to manage change in a volatile and complex world. She is now a leadership coach and consultant working across Universities, charities and with small businesses in the region.

Magdalena was appointed to the Board in July 2023 and is a member of the Resources Committee. She is a Chartered Accountant and currently works as a Chief Financial Officer in the insurance sector. Her career in the accountancy/finance profession extends over more than two decades, and as part of her role she provides commercial and financial advice to her fellow executive team and board members. Outside of her job, Magdalena is a mentor to aspiring young women, a big advocate of diversity in STEM, and a mother.