Board of Governors

Exeter College Further Education Corporation

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Legal Status

Exeter College is a further education corporation established under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. The powers of Further Education Corporations are detailed in this act as amended by the Learning and Skills Act 2000 and the Further Education and Training Act 2007. Exeter College is also an exempt charity.

The constitution and requirements for internal conduct of colleges is prescribed by the Instrument and Articles of Government. You can view the current Instrument and Articles of Government here.

The Corporation has established standing orders to further prescribe its operation which are available on request to the Head of Governance.

The Board of Governors

The Board of Governors is responsible for determining the mission and strategic direction of the College as well as ensuring the effective and efficient use of resources and solvency of the College and safeguarding its assets. Accordingly the Board, in discussion with the senior leadership team, determines policy and oversees the management of the organisation.

Within the parameters set by the Instrument of Government, the College is able to determine its membership and composition. The current Board consists of 20 governors from a variety of backgrounds. Their experience, knowledge, skills and strategic leadership make a vital contribution to the continuing development of the organisation. Membership details and governor profiles can be found on the College website and can be provided on request. The Board operates through a committee structure comprising of five committees which meet regularly and report to the Board:

• Business Services
• Quality and Standards
• Audit
• Search
• Remuneration

Click here to view the Committee Structure.

Terms of Reference

Audit and Risk Assurance Committee Terms of Reference.
Business Services Committee Terms of Reference.
Quality and Standards Committee Terms of Reference.
Remuneration Committee Terms of Reference.
Search and Governance Committee Terms of Reference.
Executive Committee Terms of Reference.
Selection Committee Terms of Reference.

Task and finish working groups are established when required.

Individual governors are required to declare any interests, both financial and personal, which could be perceived as influencing their judgement. Governors’ completed declarations of interest are available to inspect at Exeter College on request to the Head of Governance.

Please click here to view the Governors’ Code of Conduct.

If you require any further information please contact:
Mrs Alison Layton-Hill – Head of Governance
Telephone: 01392 400493
Email: AlisonLayton-Hill@exe-coll.ac.uk

For more information regarding Board meetings (times, dates and venues) please click here.

Please click here to view the attendance register for 2021-2022.

Please click here to view the Meetings Schedule for 2022-2023.

• Please click here for more information regarding Report and Financial Statements 2021-2022.
• Please click here for more information regarding Report and Financial Statements 2020-2021.
• Please click here for more information regarding Report and Financial Statements 2019-2020.
• Please click here for more information regarding Report and Financial Statements 2018-2019.
• Please click here for more information regarding Report and Financial Statements 2017-2018.
• Please click here for more information regarding Report and Financial Statements 2016-2017.
• Please click here for more information regarding Report and Financial Statements 2015-2016.
• Please click here for more information regarding Report and Financial Statements 2014-2015.
  

Please click here to view the Remuneration Committee Annual Report for 2021-2022.

At Exeter College we are passionate about shaping the education and future of our students and creating life-long opportunities for all who learn and work with us. Becoming a governor at Exeter College will give you the opportunity to use your knowledge, experience and skills to determine strategy and policy to drive our ambition to be an exceptional post-16 education provider. Our governors provide support and challenge to ensure that we create a positive environment to enable our learners to become the best they can be and that we also meet the needs of our local employers and communities. We guarantee that being a governor at our outstanding and inspirational College will be personally rewarding and will change lives.

We welcome expressions of interest to join our Board from ambitious and committed members of the community who want to make a difference. We value and promote equality and diversity and appointments are made on merit, taking account of the need to fill any identified skills gaps.

If you are motivated to become part of our College Board, please email your CV to the Head of Governance, AlisonLayton-Hill@exe-coll.ac.uk outlining the reasons why you are interested in joining us.

If you require any documents in other formats please contact the Head of Governance.

Governor Information

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Click here to read this member's profile - Bindu Arjoon

Bindu Arjoon became Exeter City Council’s first female Chief Executive in March 2023.

Bindu’s academic background is in Economics with a special interest in Development Economics. She has a BA (Hons) in Economics and an MSc in Development Studies.

Completing a PGCE at London University, Bindu’s career began in Further Education, working at City of Westminster College for two years as a Co-ordinating Lecturer in Economics and Business Studies and teaching on a range of vocational and academic programmes and professional qualifications.

Bindu has been in local government leadership for two decades, leading services including business transformation, planning, social housing including development and retrofit, homelessness and housing needs, ICT, human resources, corporate planning, strategic partnerships, crime reduction and community involvement.

Bindu was appointed Deputy Chief Executive of the City Council in March 2021 and led the council’s transformation programme to secure a customer focus and cost efficiencies across council services.

She is a member of the Local Government Association’s Peer Review programme and is a qualified Level 7 Executive Leadership Coach and Mentor.

Bindu is passionate about supporting young people to achieve their potential, volunteering her time previously to be Chair of Governing Body of St Leonards Primary School and St Peter’s Secondary School. She is currently Chair of the Corporation of Exeter College.

Click here to read this member's profile - Glenn Woodcock

Glenn was born in Woking the year Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon and for the whole of his young life he was fascinated by Astronomy. When asked by his careers advisor what he wanted to do he said ‘Astronaut’. The closest he could get was studying Astrophysics at Sheffield university, but secretly the ambition lingers on. Many directions in life followed, musician, student of Karate, investment banker, engineer, venture capitalist, and entrepreneur.

Glenn has had a lifelong interest in education, shown most clearly through starting the education technology company Sparx, with Mark Dixon in 2011. Glenn is also a trustee of the University of Exeter. Glenn lives on a small farm on Dartmoor with his partner Nina and daughter Imogen.

Click here to read this member's profile - Sarah Brampton

A law graduate and qualified accountant, Sarah joined the NHS in 1996 and has worked in various NHS organisations for more than 20 years. She was appointed Director of Finance at Devon Partnership NHS Trust in 2013 and was made Deputy Chief Executive in July 2016. Sarah was appointed as Director of Finance at University Hospital Plymouth in April 2019. Sarah has a keen interest in finance staff development, she joined the College as a Governor in October 2015.

Click here to read this member's profile - Sue Clarke OBE

Sue retired as Head of Education for Devon County Council in 2016 after forty years in education. She was headteacher of an inner London primary school before moving to Devon in 1996 when she became a primary phase adviser and school inspector. After undertaking a range of local and national roles, Sue was appointed Head of Education in 2011.

Sue has more recently worked as an independent consultant and for the Local Government Association leading Peer Reviews.

Sue gained a MSc in Education Research from the University of Exeter and was awarded an OBE in the 2011 New Year’s Honours List for Services to Education.

Sue is Lead Governor for safeguarding at Exeter College and Chair of the Quality and Standards Committee.

She is also a trustee of SPACE (a Devon wide youth charity) and of a local Multi Academy Trust.

Click here to read this member's profile - Neil Hitchings

Neil was born and educated in Kent before moving across to the South West to complete his degree in economics and statistics at the University of Exeter. He trained and qualified as a chartered accountant with a big four firm in Exeter and after 17 years transferred to PKF Francis Clark in 2009. He is now a director and audit signatory in their corporate team, with clients across the South West and further afield, approximately half of which are not for profit, including some of the highest profile charities in the region. In his role as a not for profit specialist, Neil regularly contributes to the firms sector newsletters and advises clients on governance and risk management related matters. Neil was previously a director of Cornerstone Housing Association and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Neil lives in Cullompton with his wife and daughter. His passion outside of work is music, playing in several bands, and he is involved in community-based music projects.

Click here to read this member's profile - John Laramy

John Laramy is Principal and Chief Executive of Exeter College, a position he has held since April 2016. Prior to this, John had been Vice Principal at the college since 2009. His background in quality improvement has supported the college’s drive for excellence – this was recognised in 2014 and 2022 by Outstanding grades in full Ofsted inspections. John has extensive experience of the full academic and vocational curriculum for 16 to 19 year olds, including A levels, International Baccalaureate, BTEC qualifications, Apprenticeships and foundation learning. Exeter College also offers a wide range of Adult and community learning, Higher Education programmes and customised courses for businesses.

John started his career in the construction industry and after teaching Karate in his spare time decided on a change. After undertaking a full-time PGCE at the University of Greenwich in 1996, whilst teaching part-time at North West Kent College, he started as a Lecturer at North Devon College in 1997. Progressing through various roles, John joined the Senior Management Team in 2005. John has spoken nationally on vocational education, Ofsted inspections and quality improvement.

John is a non-executive Director of Pearson Education Limited. John is Chair of the Tertiary Colleges Group and a member of the Education Training Foundation steering group for leadership development at the Oxford Said Business School. John was Founding Chair of the Exeter Specialist Mathematics School and a Founding Director of the Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust – John remains a member representing the college in both organisations. In June 2022, John was appointed to be one of just eight National Leaders of Further Education by the Department for Education. John holds an MSc in Educational Leadership from the University of Leicester and is a full corporate member of the Chartered Institute of Building. John lives locally, is married to Donna, has two children and a fox red Labrador – Bailey!

John was awarded a CBE in 2020, in the New Year’s Honours list, for services to education.

Click here to read this member's profile - Carol McCormack

Carol McCormack is Head of PPP & Projects at Michelmores LLP working nationally whilst based in Devon. Carol worked in the City at a major law firm before relocating to Devon over 15 years ago.

Carol is highly experienced property and construction projects and joint ventures. She has acted for major public sector bodies in a wide range of sectors including health and education. Following completing a number of high profile transactions Carol was awarded the OBE for legal services to HM Treasury and the Home Office in recognition of her exceptional commitment to the delivery of legal services.

Carol has a small holding of pigs and cattle.

Click here to read this member's profile - Stewart Noakes

Following a career of building several technology related companies Stewart is actively involved in fostering entrepreneurship in the UK and Portugal, with links also in the USA and India. This includes mentoring, coaching and advisory to founders of start-ups and scale ups as well as engaging with a variety of government and ecosystem level organisations.

Throughout his career Stewart has been proactive in supporting initiatives and organisations related to youth engagement and education. Now based in Exeter, his decision to join the board of governors at Exeter College was in recognition of the unique impact the College is having on the region and a desire to be involved in its future.

Key areas of interest for Stewart on the board include: Vocational training and re-skilling; the future of learning; aligning education with contemporary needs for speed and accessibility.

Click here to read this member's profile - Professor Tim Quine

Professor Tim Quine is the Vice-President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) and Professor of Earth Surface Science. Tim is responsible for leading the delivery of the University of Exeter’s Education Strategy, and the Education and Student Experience vision within the University’s 2030 Strategy.

Tim’s brief is captured in the Education Strategy commitments to Success for All our Students and Valuing Educators, and encompasses the undergraduate and taught postgraduate student journey from arrival, through excellent teaching, learning and assessment, to the next stages in graduate life. He maintains a close partnership with the Students’ Guild in Exeter and the Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union in Cornwall to ensure that our students’ interests are central to our plans for continuous enhancement. He also works closely with the Education Leadership Team including the three Faculty Associate Pro-Vice Chancellors (Education) to ensure that the University maintains its excellent academic standards and continues to innovate in teaching and learning for the benefit of all students.

He is a graduate of University College London where he obtained his Bachelors degree in Archaeology. Tim went on to complete his doctorate at the University of Strathclyde, and his research in earth surface science focuses on perturbation of the terrestrial carbon cycle and ecosystem services by soil erosion and sediment deposition. Tim’s research projects have seen him collaborate with researchers in universities and research institutes in China, India, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Bolivia, Saudi Arabia, Australia, New Zealand and many European countries. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and member of the Russell Group Education Network.

Click here to read this member's profile - Victoria Roberts

Vicki Roberts is the Business Support Staff governor and works within the Finance, Funding, MIS and Exams department as the Deputy Examinations Manager. She joined Exeter College in 2007 starting as an Exams Clerk and then a couple of years later secured her current role. She has also complete a year’s maternity cover as the Examinations Manager. Her role supports the leadership of the Exams Team to ensure all students have the best possible experience of examinations and assessments across the board. Her passion is for providing support and advice at each stage of the process, which often sees her reassuring anxious students at exam time!

Vicki studied a BA in English Literature at the University of Exeter and loved the city so much she decided to stay. Following her degree, she took on varying roles in administration and retail before realising that she needed a greater challenge, which she certainly found in the world of exams!

Vicki lives in Exeter with her husband and daughter and has a wide range of interests including yoga, live music and literature.

Click here to read this member's profile - Rob Hutchins

Rob is a qualified management accountant with a wide range of public and private sector experience. Until recently, he was Head of Devon Audit Partnership, a partnership between a number of councils in the Devon area where he held responsibility for delivering internal audit, risk management and counter fraud services to the partners and a wide range of other clients.

He has previously managed large finance teams, including the finance team providing financial support and advice for the learning disability and mental health functions of a local Council and Health Authority (combined gross budget of circa £60m).

Rob is a keen sports-person and he likes to take part in many outdoor activities including football, cycling, walking and surfing.

Click here to read this member's profile - Sally Wolkowski

Sally is a Lead Enterprise Architect at the Met Office. Her CV covers an array of senior management positions leading the design and initiation of significant transformation portfolios and programmes and business improvements. Most recently Sally set up and led the Services Transformation department with responsibility for forecast production strategy and continuous enhancement of key products and services, including the National Meteorological Library and Archive.

Her passion for education was discovered during her tenure as Head of the Met Office College. In this post, she was asked to lead the review of the global standard for meteorologists by the World Meteorological Organisation and was invited to become a visiting scholar at the University of Reading where she developed a blueprint for future meteorological skills. Her leadership experience stretches from strategy development and business planning to strategic account management for central government customers and quite a lot in between.

In her spare time, Sally enjoys riding her motorcycle, reading books and spending time with her children.

Click here to read this member's profile - Adele Westcott

Adele is a career internal auditor, with 30 years experience gained in the UK and overseas. She is passionate about good governance, providing insight and assurance to Boards, Chief Executives and leadership teams.

She started her career at the Land Registry. After qualifying she joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, auditing Embassies and Consulates around the world. A move to the private sector took her into the corporate banking world at the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. Adele returned to the public sector and became the Head of Internal Audit for the Environment Agency based in Bristol. An opportunity to start up an Internal Audit function for a Government Department in Abu Dhabi gave her the chance to enjoy a different culture and a move overseas for five years.

Adele returned to the UK in 2015 and is the current Head of Internal Audit at the Met Office in Exeter.

Adele is married with a son at university. She loves spending time outdoors, particularly body boarding, snorkelling, cycling, walking and gardening. She also enjoys sharing good food with family and friends and reading grisly murder stories.

Click here to read this member's profile - Patrick Tigwell

Patrick is a qualified Chartered Accountant and is a Partner with Westcotts Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors, a regional firm with offices across Devon and Somerset, and with his colleague Alison Watts, jointly manages the Exeter Head Office of the firm.

Patrick has been qualified for over 25 years having trained with a local Exeter firm and is skilled at acting for SMEs and the issues business owners face every day.

He is passionate about Exeter and has lived in the city for 30 years. He brings enthusiasm, a can-do attitude and a valuable sense of humour for the benefit of his clients.

Patrick is married with two teenage boys – both having just recently completed their studies at Exeter College. He is a keen supporter of Chelsea FC and the Exeter Chiefs. He does suffer from telling of ‘Dad jokes’ and where the opportunity arises ‘Dad dancing’.

Click here to read this member's profile - Graham Atkins

Graham leads the consultancy at people advisory firm, New Street Consulting Group, heading up three divisions:
i) a research group who provide talent insight for companies like Netflix
ii) a leadership consultancy who excel at the very top of the house in major organisations like Grant Thornton and
iii) an organisational advisory team who help clients accelerate people and organisational performance.

Graham’s expertise is with senior leaders in the fields of organisational strategy, enterprise leadership, culture and change. Following training as an Army Officer and policy/strategy specialist in the public sector, business school opened his eyes to the vagaries and complexities of people, and he hasn’t looked back since. Previously he was a Senior Partner at Korn Ferry, and a Shareholder Director of Hay Group leading their business with the UK Government, part of which included running all executive education for the Senior Civil Service. He holds an MBA, BEng(Hons) and is a Fellow of the RSA.

A father of three children working their way through the education system in Exeter, Graham was a Vice-Chair of governors at a local school and is passionate advocate for the region, Devon & Exeter. He lives in the City and can often be found walking his dog, Paddy, along the quayside.

Click here to read this member's profile - Cynthia Sedgman

After qualifying with a PhD in Biochemistry, Cynthia worked in the global Pharmaceutical Industry for nearly 30 years. During this time, she had leadership roles in a variety of areas including Research and Development, Quality, Manufacturing and Global Supply Chains.

She then spent a number of years in Management Consulting in the Life Science Industry.

Cynthia has 2 sons and has lived in a small village on Dartmoor with her husband for over 10 years.

Click here to read this member's profile - Lindsay Skinner

Lindsay Skinner is Exeter College alumni, having been raised and educated in Exeter. She finished her A-levels at the College in 2001 and left to study English and Drama at university.

Currently, Lindsay is the Executive Headteacher of St James School and the Director of Education at the Ted Wragg Trust. Formerly an English teacher, she loves English and all things literary and she has written a number of educational books for Harper Collins.

Lindsay is also a governor for the Virtual School, supporting the education of children in care across Devon.

Click here to read this member's profile - Pamela DeGregorio

Pamela has worked at Exeter College since September 2009. Pamela started at the college as an Associate Lecturer in Philosophy and Religious Studies, becoming a full-time Programme Leader the following Academic year.

Pamela completed her teaching qualification part-time in her first two years at the college. Pamela has held a range of roles at the college, including Tutorial Lead and Deputy Head of Faculty. Currently, she is one of the colleges Advanced Teaching Practitioners. Pamela has led the colleges Debating Society since 2019 and is incredibly passionate about ensuring that young people have opportunities to openly discuss and debate current affairs and the issues that matter to them. Exeter College is currently National Debating Matters Champion.

During 2016, Pamela completed a Research Development Fellowship with SUNCETT. She worked collaboratively with a member of staff from the Health, Care and Public Services faculty. This has ignited a passion for evidence-based practice and practitioner led research. In 2017, Pamela completed the colleges LEAD Programme, and her project was orientated around empowering practitioners to conduct small-scale research.

Pamela completed her degree in Philosophy at UWE Bristol from 2006-2009, graduating with First Class honours. She lives in Taunton with her husband and daughter. As a teenager she was the frontwoman in a grunge band and has never lost her passion for live music.