Meet the Board

Vicky joined the Board as Chair in February 2023.

Vicky has worked at a senior level across housing, employment, health and social care. She is the owner of her own consulting company, which specialises in providing management and governance support and interim services to organisations.

Vicky is currently working for the Regulator of Social Housing, as a governance specialist, focused on working with non-compliant organisations.

Vicky is married and has a daughter. She enjoys swimming, both in the pool, and in open water around the North East.

Keith joined the board in January 2020 as an independent member and was elected Vice-Chair in October 2020. He is a Member of Audit Committee and Search and Governance Committee.

Now semi-retired, he was the owner/manager of an engineering business in Derwentside for over 30 years.  As a qualified metallurgist he has worked in the power generation, specialty metals and special bearings industries, operating companies in UK, Malaysia and UAE. He maintains an interest in two other engineering companies and three restaurants.

Keith is married with three sons and five grandchildren and his hobbies include ocean yacht racing, walking, gardening and logic puzzles.

Simon was appointed to the Board in August 2020. Simon is Operations Director for Pinnacle Re-Tec Ltd and KC Engineering Bearings Ltd. Both businesses are located within Consett. Pinnacle Re-Tec and KC Engineering Bearings are specialist engineering companies operating in the field of rotating equipment and hydro dynamic bearings.

Simon began his career as an apprentice Tool Maker progressing through various positions ranging from Production Management, Manufacturing Management/Engineering, Development & Design Lead, Business Improvement, Operations. The largest portion of Simon’s career was within BAE Systems, but he has experienced several other roles throughout the North East and wider UK.

Simon is married with two children. Any spare time is shared between rugby (watching / attending) and collecting antique machinery and vehicles - if it has an engine and it’s old, then it is of interest.

Nicola was appointed to the Board in December 2018 and she has worked at the college since September 2004. Nicola is currently a Wellbeing Practitioner. 

Nicola is a qualified teacher who previously taught PE/Sport at colleges, universities and football academies.  During this time she also managed a gym for 6 years.

Nicola previously worked as an Events Manager for a children's hospice and a Youth Project Leader, working with vulnerable children aged 5-19, as part of a project funded by Children in Need. She is a qualified Mental Health First Aider and a huge advocate of trying to help remove the stigma associated with mental health.   

Nicola has two children and enjoys most sports, especially football and loves walking and cycling.

Mark was appointed to the Board in January 2015. Mark is Managing Director of Dysart Developments Ltd an estate management company based in Consett and operating throughout the northeast of England. The company actively manages the regeneration of the former Consett Steelworks site.

Mark is a qualified civil engineer and has been involved with civil engineering and building development in the northeast for over thirty years.

Mark is married with 2 children and enjoys reading, cycling, rugby and golf. Mark actively supports local sport through Shotley Bridge Cricket Club and Consett Rugby Club. 

Malcolm retired from his post as Clerk to the Corporation in December 2019, a post he had held for 14 years. He has recently joined the Board as a Member in his own right.

Malcolm is a qualified Housing Manager and a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

He has thirty years social housing experience which includes property management and development, staff development and training, Housing Corporation regulation and organisation governance.

Malcolm is married with a grown up daughter and lives in Chester Le Street. He enjoys cycling, walking and gardening.

Hayley was appointed as a Student Board Member in January 2023. She is an Advanced Technical Engineering Apprentice at Cummins Darlington Technical Operations and is currently in the second year of her Technical Engineering Apprenticeship. 

Hayley has joined the Board to share her knowledge and experience from a student perspective, and to contribute to the strategic development of the College. 

Hayley is married with two children. When she is not working, Hayley enjoys spending time with her children and socialising with friends.  

David was appointed to the Board in October 2021. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants and is a member of the Audit Committee. 

David is Managing Director of Ashtree Property Limited with a property rental portfolio in Derwentside. Until his 'retirement', David was Regional Director of the Audit Commission and carried out many corporate governance and audit reviews of public sector bodies. 

Married with two children and four grandchildren, his interests include football, holidays, DIY and volunteering. 

Appointed to the Board in October 2021, Carl is a Financial Controller for MHT Technology, based in North Yorkshire, and is responsible for all aspects of finance and purchasing. MHT Technology is a leading player in the UK Oil and Gas market specialising in software development for inventory management systems.  

Beginning his career as an AAT apprentice from school Carl has progressed up the ladder to a senior position and is an advocate for apprenticeships and education. With 20 years of finance experience across different sectors including distribution and manufacturing, Carl brings a breadth of financial experience to the Board and a continuous improvement mentality. 

Carl lives in Darlington, County Durham and has two young children. Carl has a passion for sports watching and attending and an interest in travel. 

Greg was appointed to the board in October 2021 as an independent member. He is UK Purchasing Manager for AMB located on the Team Valley. He has worked in supply chain and operations for the last 16 years.  

Greg began his career as an Administration Apprentice progressing through various positions ranging from Inventory Management, Operations, Supply Chain and Logistics. His current role sees him manage all UK procurement activities whilst also reporting to board level in Italy. Through his previous positions he has extensive experience of working with and recruiting apprentices.  

Greg completed his BA (Hons) Degree in Management Practice. He is also a Chartered Manager with the CMI, Chartered Member of the Institute of Logistics & Transport, a STEM Ambassador and also a qualified Mental Health First Aider.  

Greg is married with one child. His hobbies include playing/watching football, watching cricket and driving/working on classic cars.  

Lesley was appointed to the Board in December 2022 as an independent member.  She is now retired following a career in financial services and retail.  Lesley is an experienced technologist and has spent her career in senior and Executive roles where she focused on large scale transformational change and operations, notably at Northern Rock and Post Office.  More recently Lesley was a co-founder of a specialist mortgage company, Belmont Green Finance, where she was instrumental in launching the business as Chief Operating Officer. 

Lesley is married with two children (twins).  She enjoys travelling and is a very keen skier.  She is an enthusiastic F1 fan and enjoys researching ancestry.  

As Principal and Chief Executive, Chris is responsible for the overall performance of the College in all aspects of its operations.  As a member of the Board of Governors, Chris leads on the development of the College's strategic priorities and ensures they are delivered.

Chris, a qualified accountant, has a wealth of experience within the Education sector having held a number of senior management roles during his career. 

Lynn was appointed as Clerk to the Corporation in November 2019, having spent most of her career in public services administration and management at organisations including Cleveland Police, Cleveland Magistrates’ Courts and latterly Stockton Riverside College where she stayed for 14 years. Whilst working as Head of the Principal’s Office at SRC, Lynn achieved a BA Hons Degree in Public Services Management which consolidated and formalised her knowledge and experience.

A year long stint providing maternity cover for the Clerk to the Corporation at SRC led to an interest in governance, which ultimately led to her applying for the post at Derwentside College.

Lynn is married with two grown up children and enjoys reading, swimming and spending time with her five grandsons.

Biography