Governors of a further education college corporation hold responsible positions.

The corporation owns the land, buildings and other assets, employs the staff, and decides on the future strategy of the college.

At present, there is one vacancy for an external governor on the Governing Body. For further information, please contact Alasdair MacDonald, Clerk to the Governors, on 01793 498203 or via our online contact form.

Further education colleges are at the forefront of the Government’s attempts to improve the skills base in this country. The post is unpaid but many people who are committed to public service and feel strongly about the importance of education and training volunteer to do it.

Members of the Governing Body:
Rob Beale (Chair)
Rob was elected to the post of Chair of Governors in June 2007. He had previously been the chair of the Audit Committee, having joined the Governing Body in May 2002. Rob is also the Chair of the Quality and Standards Committee and a member of both the Resources Committee and the Remuneration Committee. Rob is a chartered accountant and a partner with Morris Owen who are based in Old Town, Swindon.

Adrian Moore (Vice-Chair)
Adrian is the Chair of the Remuneration Committee and a

member of the Search Committee and Quality and Standards Committee. Adrian's extensive knowledge of local businesses and often the people who run them is put to good use by the Search Committee. He is a retired solicitor and was until recently a partner with Withyking.

Other Members of the Governing Body are:  

Anthony Cohen

Anthony joined the Board in 2006 and is the chair of the Audit Committee. This is partly to take advantage of the fact that he is a chartered accountant, a partner with Moynahans, based in Old Town, Swindon. Anthony is a long-standing resident of Swindon.

Louise Hill

Louise joined the Board on 5 October 2010. Louise Hill is an expert in Fire, Health and Safety having held a number of senior appointments with local authorities and NHS Trusts. She has also acted as an independent consultant in this field. Louise has been resident in Swindon for some years and is active in local community affairs. Louise sits on the Audit Committee.

Philip Richmond

Philip joined the Board in July 2007. Philip was born in the town and received some of his further and higher education and training at Swindon College. He is a qualified engineer.
Philip has an extensive knowledge of the manufacturing industry, in particular car manufacturing and the application of quality assurance processes within it, having spent some years with Honda in Swindon. Philip was until recently Production Director for Gowerings Mobility based in Newbury. He is a member of the Search Committee and the Audit Committee.

Carol Stone
The Reverend Carol is Vicar of St. Philips the Deacon, Penhill and Pinehurst. She joined the Governing Body in 2006 as a student governor whilst studying photography. On completion of her studies, Carol was re-elected as an external governor. Carol chairs the Search Committee and also sits on the Remuneration Committee.

Ram Thiagarajah

Ram joined the Board in Autumn 2008, having recently retired from a career as a qualified Civil Engineer. Ram has extensive experience in working within the Swindon Community and is on the Board of several charities including the Swindon Tamil Association, of which he is the Chairman. Ram sits on the Audit Committee.

Peter Wells
Peter joined the Board in January 2011.  He was previously the Executive Head Teacher of St. Joseph’s Catholic College in Swindon. He played a key part in the design, development and delivery of the new college which opened in 2006. A head teacher for 19 years he has been in senior school management for more than thirty years. He has been for many years involved in work with disabled children and has supported the development of a rural secondary school in western Uganda. His academic background is in history and management.

Nigel Wichall
Nigel was elected to the Governing Body in July 2008. This is a welcome return to Swindon College for Nigel, who has previously held the post of Facilities and Services  Director here before moving to the University of Gloucestershire as Director of Estates. So, Nigel has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the College. He is a member of the Resources Committee.

Staff Governors:
Mike Wadley - Business Support
Mike is the College's Student Enrichment Officer and is based in the Student Enrichment Centre, co-ordinating events and activities for students, tutorials for enrichment theme weeks, the enrichment support and youth worker team and running Student Council meetings. Mike sits on the Quality and Standards Committee.

James Cheriton
James is one of the College's Training Co ordinators for Xcelerate (Entry to Employment) programmes and joined the Governing Body in October 2010. James sits on the Quality and Standards Committee. 

College Principal:

Andrew Miller - Principal
Andrew joined the College in January 2010 as Principal and Chief Executive. He was previously Principal/Chief Executive at Kidderminster College, Worcestershire, for nine years. He has worked extensively in the FE sector, holding positions at Evesham and Newbury College. His background is in Economics and Business Studies, which he taught for 12 years in schools, sixth forms and FE colleges.

Andrew is a keen sportsman and lives locally with his family.

Clerk to the Board of Governors
Alasdair MacDonald
Alasdair has been the clerk since 1998. He has also undertaken a number of senior academic roles in the college, including Director of Faculty of Business and HE Development Director. 

The Appointment of Governors
When a vacancy occurs, the Search Committee meets to review the mix of skills and experience which could best add value to the Governing Body, within the context of the College’s needs at the time.

The Committee will take account of the present gender, ethnicity, age and disability profile of the Board. New governors are normally elected for a four year term but a lesser period can be agreed. For re-appointments, a further term of office is often very appropriate but a third term should be the exception rather than the rule.

If you are interested in becoming a College Governor, please click here for more information.