Meet the Governors

(CEO of DCG, Member of the Curriculum Performance Committee, Curriculum Planning Committee, Finance and Resources Committee, Search and Governance Committee and Higher Education Academic Board)

As the CEO of DCG, Mandie Stravino works in partnership with the Board to shape the direction of the organisation. Mandie is responsible for enactment of the corporate strategy and accountable for the Group’s performance.

In December 2017, Mandie was appointed to the Further Education Principals’ Reference Group. Its purpose is to support, challenge and advise the FE Commissioner in his role and contribute to the department’s policy development work affecting colleges in the FE sector.

Mandie has hosted some high profile visitors including HRH Princess Anne, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Education and the Minister of State for Apprenticeships and Skills.

Mandie holds a variety of non-executive/representative roles, on the following boards: CBI Regional Council, Opportunity Area Board – Derby City, Derby Renaissance Board, Derbyshire Economic Partnership, Contest Gold (CT) Group, Metro Strategy Board – Derby City and Nottingham City, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Collaborative Outreach Programme (DANCOP) Governance Board, Midlands Engine Skills Group and the AoC National Quality Policy Group.

Mandie has a diverse leadership portfolio, in both the private and public sectors, has acquired significant experience in Further Education, both within colleges and an IPT and has a proven track record of leading strategic advancement resulting in financial, service and standards turnaround.

Mandie holds an MBA from Nottingham Business School – NTU and is currently studying at Said Business School – Oxford University, on the Further Education Strategic Leadership Programme.

(Chair of the Finance and Resources Committee,) Finance Lead Governor INDEPENDENT GOVERNOR

Martyn is an experienced Strategic Business Manager, and Director of Marples Financial Plus Ltd, a consultancy company specialising in finance. He is a Chartered Accountant with 25+ years of experience across public, private and charity finance & administration and is married with three children.

Martyn has a strong connection with Derby, having lived and worked in Derby and the surrounding area for most of his career. He is currently the Finance Manager for Derby Diocese and Derby Cathedral, and is a volunteer for Enterprise 4 Education, helping prepare school and college students to be ‘work ready’.

Term of Office: 30/10/17 – 29/10/25

(Member of the Curriculum Performance Committee) STUDENT GOVERNOR

Bismah has been attending college since September 2022 and has recently completed her Level 3 Health and Social Care course. She has been involved with the Students’ Union this year, mainly involved with International Women’s Week and as one of the leaders of the Muslim Society at the College.

Her main aims for her term as Student Governor include supporting student wellbeing and ensuring that students’ voices are heard as well as bringing more extra-circular activities for students to support their growth and development. After her term of office, she would like to complete a degree as a primary school teacher at Derby University .

Term of Office: 01/07/24 – 31/06/25

(Chair of Governors, Chair of the Search and Governance Committee and Member of the Finance and Resources Committee. Chair of the Strategy and Curriculum Planning Committee and Member of Curriculum Performance Committee (INDEPENDENT GOVERNOR)

Andrew is a Solicitor, Chairman and Senior Partner of Derby Law Firm Flint Bishop LLP.

Andrew was educated in Matlock before attending the University of Aberdeen where he graduated with a Master of Arts Degree in Politics and International Relations before attending the College of Law, Chester and joining Flint Bishop in 1990. Whilst Andrew has a background in Litigation and Employment Law he now specialises in Licensing acting on behalf of a number of national and regional pub, club, hotel and restaurant operators. Andrew serves as Under Sheriff of Derbyshire, is a trustee of the Hubbub Theatre Company. He is a member of Foundation Derbyshire. He is also a member of the organising committee of the Derbyshire Brain Game. He was until recently a Governor of a large primary school. Andrew was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Derbyshire in 2015.

Term of Office: 11/02/19 – 10/02/25

(Member of Curriculum Performance Committee and Member of Strategy and Curriculum Planning Committee), Link Governor for Safeguarding and Prevent, Link Governor for Broomfield and Little Explorers Nursery) INDEPENDENT GOVERNOR

Retired headteacher Sue Bradley is a strong believer that everyone should be given access to education – regardless of their background or circumstances.

With many years’ experience leading The Kingsmead School – a special school and pupil referral unit in the city – and spearheading a service to offer alternatives to traditional teaching in schools, Sue is the DCG link governor for Safeguarding, Careers and for Broomfield Hall land-based and leisure college.

Sue is also a member of the National Association of Headteachers and a Board Member at the Derby/Derbyshire YMCA.

Term of Office: 01/05/19 – 31/04/25

(Vice Chair, Chair of Curriculum Performance Committee, Member of Strategy and Curriculum Planning Committee and Remuneration Committee) Academic Link Governor INDEPENDENT GOVERNOR

Alan graduated from the University of Manchester in 1982 with a joint honours degree in history and economics. He also did a PGCE course at Manchester before starting his teaching career in Birkenhead in 1983. Alan taught in schools in Worksop in Nottinghamshire and in Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. He moved to Derby in 2001 on taking up the post of Deputy Headteacher at Thomas Alleyne’s High School in Uttoxeter. In 2005 Alan was appointed the Headteacher of Allestree Woodlands School. As Headteacher Alan guided Woodlands from being a local authority foundation school to becoming an academy in 2012. Under his leadership Woodlands grew in size and he oversaw a complete rebuild of the school which was completed in 2016. Alan retired from Headship in August 2019 after 14 years at the school. Alan chaired the Derby Secondary Headteachers and was a member of the Secondary Strategy Group of the Derby Opportunity Area. Alan was also the Derby City representative for the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and from 2015-2019 was a member of its National Council. He chaired the ASCL Leadership and Governance Committee and was a member of ASCL National Executive for 2018-2019.

Term of Office: 11/11/19 – 10/11/25

(Member of the Audit Committee) Link Governor for Technology INDEPENDENT GOVERNOR

Stuart is the Director of Technical Assurance and Head of the Engineering Fellowship at Rolls-Royce plc, which involves leading and chairing the Technical Audit Team for all programmes across the group, leading on safety assurance and airworthiness assurance. Stuart also leads the Engineering Fellowship – a group of around one hundred of the company’s top Engineering specialists in their respective technical disciplines, both within the company and very often recognised globally within the industry.

Stuart achieved a first class BEng (Hons) Integrated Engineering Degree at Nottingham Trent University in 1994, prior to this studying at Wilmorton College (a predecessor of DCG), both on a part-time day release basis. Stuart is also a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the IMechE.

Prior to his current role, Stuart has performed a number of senior Engineering roles across both the civil and defence aerospace sectors during a 35 year career with Rolls-Royce plc, including Chief Engineer on a number of different engine programmes. Stuart now provides mentor and career coaching for engineers across the business.

Term of Office: 01/12/19 – 01/12/25

(Member of the Curriculum Performance Committee), Link Governor for Higher Education and Careers INDEPENDENT GOVERNOR

Jane is Pro Vice-Chancellor – Education at Nottingham Trent University

Jane McNeil took up the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor Education at Nottingham Trent University in April 2020. In this role, she supports the Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Academic Development and Performance, and is responsible for influencing policy and strategy for student access and participation, curriculum and pedagogy, and student outcomes and employment. She is also chair of the University’s Academic Standards and Quality Committee.

She has a long-standing commitment to the University and to students’ education. Her early roles as a medieval history lecturer and developing online learning in the Humanities led to a wider interest in pedagogic innovation. This was realised in subsequent roles, including institutional lead for quality enhancement, Director of Academic Development (2011-18), and from 2018 as Executive Dean for Learning and Teaching. Her perspective on education has therefore been shaped by her experience as a lecturer, a practice innovator and as a policy developer. Central to this is a dedication to addressing structural inequalities in higher education.

Jane is a Trustee at TASO, The Centre for Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education, part of the UK Government’s What Works Movement. TASO is committed to the generation, synthesis and dissemination of high-quality evidence about effective practice in widening participation and student outcomes.

She is also Chair of the Nottingham Priority Education Investment Area Local Partnership Board, an expert group providing advice to the DfE Regional Director on how to improve attainment at KS2 and KS4.
Jane joined the Board at DCG in 2020 to improve governance oversight of the College’s higher education provision. Jane is the HE Link Governor and has recently become the EDI link governor.

Term of Office: 01/09/20 – 31/08/26

(Member of the Curriculum Performance Committee) STAFF GOVERNOR

As the Learning Support Manager, Sophie Sanderson operationally oversees the Learning Support Service across Derby College Group (DCG). This includes managing and leading a large team of 180 staff members, who deliver and provide a high-quality service from both an in and out of class support perspective. This team includes Learning Support Assistants, Coordinators, EHCP Coordinators, Trainers, and Leads.

Sophie also operationally manages all aspects regarding our Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) students, from working directly with seven different local authorities and external stakeholders, to ensure all students receive the upmost student experience here at DCG.

Sophie has a master’s in ‘SEND Education’ and Level 7 qualification in Leadership and Management. With over 10 years’ experience in further education sector, Sophie proudly continues to be a lifelong learner, with the passion to drive quality and delivery in service. Sophie is a Derby City Inclusion Leader and an active member within the local SENCO Networks.

Term of Office: 12/12/23 – 31/07/25

(Chair of Audit Committee, Chair of Remuneration Committee and Member of Strategy and Curriculum Planning Committee)

Living in Derby and working at PwC East Midlands since 2004, Andrew’s main focus is on financial statement audits and working within the Stakeholder Assurance team on areas such as controls, ESG and third party reporting. He works across a portfolio of companies in the manufacturing, engineering, professional services and IT sectors. He is a director with over eighteen years’ audit experience after graduating with a first class degree (in Accountancy and Financial Management from Loughborough University) and being awarded the David Bogie award for his professional exams by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland.
Being a former Air Cadet, he understands the importance of “giving something back”. He has done this over his years with PwC through Primary School Young Enterprise, The Derbyshire Brain Game, guest lecturing at Loughborough University and now through being our Audit Committee Chair.

Term of Office: 01/03/22 to 29/02/26

(Co-opted Governor to the Audit Committee)

Rosslyn is an experienced Audit Manager working for Smith Cooper, a Midlands based accountancy and business advisory firm. She is a qualified chartered accountant with a considerable number of years’ experience in audit and related assurance services, having previously worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers. She is a co-opted member of the audit committee.

Term of Office: 01/12/19 – 31/07/25

(Member of the Curriculum Performance Committee ) INDEPENDENT GOVERNOR

Holding a Post Graduate Degree in Law and a degree in Pure and Applied Physics, Narinder has a wealth of experience as a strategic leader. He has held chief executive and senior leadership roles in diverse and large complex organisations regionally, nationally and internationally within public/independent healthcare, civic and not for profit sector, most recently as Chief Executive of the Carers Association. Previous roles were held at AMD Alliance International, Prader Willi Syndrome Association (UK) and Age Concern.

Narinder is Chair of the Trustee at the University of Derby Students’ Union and Chair of Remuneration and Terms at Derby City Council. Previous non-executive roles include Vice Chair and Audit Chair at Nottingham PCT, Chair of NHS Direct, University of Leicester (Finance and Audit) Council Member and Board Director of Eurodis (a rare disease organisation based in Paris).

Term of Office: 01/09/23 – 31/08/25

(Member of the Curriculum Performance Committee and Link Governor for Inclusion/SEND) INDEPENDENT GOVERNOR

Anju is an exceptional developer of people in the public and third sector and most recently developing leaders with a national workforce development body that delivers CEO and leadership team professional development. With over 20 years’ of experience as a senior leader, coach, facilitator and organisational culture expert, Anju not only makes a difference to individuals but also to organisational effectiveness and goals. Anju is currently Company Director of Puran, a bespoke company delivering whole person development for individuals and organisations.

Anju has worked in a range of settings including in the civil service with the National College for School Leadership (NCSL), supporting the vision of a school led system and developing system leadership in schools; in the third sector leading the first Pathfinder contract, winning Charity of the Year and in the public sector leading people and culture strategy through participatory training and coaching solutions to help implement strategy and culture practice in senior leadership teams.

As an inspirational leader and outstanding team player Anju works through a participative approach, creating robust strategies that translate vision into achievements. Anju is an exceptional designer of programmes with strong emotional intelligence, and a connector of people and ideas. A good listener, who communicates effectively, makes good decisions, and is a problem-solver. A good team player who develops others, with strong analytical skills and a passion for learning. Underpinning all her work are high expectations and quality assurance.In her spare time, Anju volunteers as a Governor at Derby College Group with special interest in inclusion, SEND and achievement of vulnerable learners. Previous Governance roles include Vice Chair Cavendish Learning Trust, a cross-phase Multi Academy Trust (MAT) and Governor at a Secondary and Primary Academy. In her local community Anju is involved in providing food and clothing to the vulnerable and homeless.

Term of Office:  17 April 2024 – 16 April 2026

(Lead Governor for Employer Responsiveness/Skills) INDEPENDENT GOVERNOR

Richard has recently been appointed Director of Policy and Insight at the East Midlands Chamber. Prior to this he spent nine years at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

Term of Office: 1 May 2024 – 30 April 2026