Governance

David Meadowcroft joined the Board in March 2015. David is a property services specialist and Business Unit Director with CBRE having previously worked with organisations such as RBS, HSBC, HMRC and Barclays. David has a passion for supporting the development of young people and he is proud that he has been a college/ school governor for over 15 years. David grew up in West Cumbria, which is where he developed a passion for the countryside and outdoor pursuits. He lives in Deanshanger with his wife and two teenage sons. David is a member of the Remuneration Committee.

Dr Liz Marr joined the Board in December 2011 and is Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Students) at the Open University. After leaving school and going straight into the workplace, she started university as a mature student. A BSc, MSc and PhD later, Liz began working as a lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University where she eventually became Head of Widening Participation. In 2009, she moved to the OU where she has been able to pursue her passion - the provision of higher education as a means of achieving social justice. Liz is (joint) Vice Chair of Governors, a member of the Remuneration Committee and chairs the Curriculum & Quality Group. Liz is also Governor Champion for SEND and Safeguarding.

Dotun Adeoye joined the Board in February 2018 and has over 20 years of leadership experience in digital product innovation and disruptive innovation strategy. He runs 235 Digital which is a successful digital innovation consultancy. Dotun has a BA in English Language from OAU in Nigeria and executive certificates from Harvard Business School, Cambridge, Wharton, Erasmus University and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dotun has lived in Milton Keynes since 2011 and focuses a lot of his time in mentoring, writing about disruptive technology and spending time with his family. Dotun is a member of the Search & Governance Committee. . 

Tony joined the Board in May 2019. Tony has been an educationalist for his whole career both in the UK and abroad and knows how to facilitate change and lead a culture of continuous improvement. Tony is Headteacher of Jubilee Wood Primary School (his fifth headship) having been appointed to transform two previously failing schools and now mentors ‘new to post’ Headteachers. Under Tony’s leadership, Jubilee Wood is now recognised as a leading school in restorative justice and is a Regional Champion School for the Learning Foundation which promotes digital access for all students. Tony is a Founding Fellow of The Chartered College of Teaching and contributes to consultations on teacher recruitment and retention. He also sits on the MK:50 committee looking at future options for STEM development across Milton Keynes. Tony enjoys the travel and the outdoors. Tony is a member of the Curriculum and Quality Group and is also a parent of a College student.

Rebecca Carrington joined the board in December 2017. Rebecca is Principal of Arts1, an independent theatre school offering specialist training to children, young people and adults including full time courses in the post-16 sector. Rebecca holds a PGCE in Post-16 education from the University of Greenwich, a Masters Degree in Performance from the University of East Anglia, a Post Graduate Diploma in Musical Theatre from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and a BA first class honours in Modern Drama Studies and English Literature from Brunel University. Rebecca is passionate about high quality, inspiring and stimulating learning environments that enable learners to thrive in developing their skills and creativity and is a member of Milton Keynes Arts and Heritage Alliance. Rebecca is a member of the Curriculum and Quality Group.

Alan Cook CBE joined the Board in August 2019. Alan has extensive financial services experience across insurance, banking and investments Since 2010, Alan has been solely performing governance roles on numerous Boards including: LV= and Chetwood Financial Ltd, (where is he the current Chair), and prior to that he has served as Chair of the University of Bedfordshire, Chair of Permanent TSB Group Holdings, senior independent director of Sainsbury’s Bank, Chair of the Highways Agency and as Non-Executive Director at the Department for Transport, Financial Ombudsman Service and the Office of Fair Trading.

As an executive, he has also been managing director of Post Office Ltd, chief executive officer of National Savings & Investments and chief operating officer for UK and Europe of Prudential Assurance.

Alan has lived in Milton Keynes many years and was keen to take on this local role. Alan is the Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee.

Peter Cox joined the Board in July 2014. Peter is a corporate partner in the Milton Keynes office of Dentons, a global law firm. Peter's particular expertise is in corporate finance transactions. His practice covers banking, mergers, acquisitions and disposals, establishing and reorganising businesses, joint ventures, venture capital and private equity investments. He also heads the Dentons Company Secretarial team. Peter is a member of the Audit & Risk Committee.

Mat joined the Board in May 2019. Mat is a qualified accountant (ACCA) and currently a Senior Manager with PwC in Milton Keynes where he leads on audits of financial services clients as well as being a career coach and mentor. His experience includes people management, financial reporting, financial management and corporate governance. Mat is passionate about social mobility and the role of education in shaping the workforce of the future and he describes himself as an outdoor enthusiast and a fan of travel and adventure books. Mat is a member of the Audit & Risk Committee.

Nathan was elected as a Staff Governor in 2019 and having worked at the college for the past 8 years, starting as the Assistant Facilities Manager, is now the Head of Estates and Infrastructure. Nathan’s role covers all aspects of the upkeep of the College’s vast estate as well as a lead role for Health and Safety compliance. Much of the role involves supporting the college to provide a fit for purpose, safe and secure working environment for staff, students and visitors. Nathan has worked in Facilities Management for the past 21 years across a wide range of industries in the UK and Europe and has a passion to ensure safety, culture and inclusion is at the forefront of all activities to provide a diverse learning experience. Nathan is looking to complete his Level 6 qualification in Strategic Facilities Management with the Institute of Workplace Facilities Management this year.

Dr Julie Mills was appointed Principal & Chief Executive of Milton Keynes College in January 2011.  Prior to her appointment, Julie was Deputy Principal for five years.  Julie is an Open University graduate and was awarded a doctorate in 2005 for her academic research into the psychological contract of prison education staff. Julie is passionate about closing diversity gaps and challenging discrimination and has been a mentor for the Black Leadership Initiative and the Women’s Leadership Network. Julie is a Board member of MK Business Leaders, Chair of the Helena Kennedy Foundation and Director of MK Dons Sport and Education Trust. Julie is also the Chair of Women Leaders UK.

Stephen Norrish MBE joined the Board in October 2009. Stephen has lived and worked in Milton Keynes for 25 years and is Co-Director of the MK Christian Foundation, a local charity working mostly with young people, offering them learning opportunities through their engagement in a variety of social enterprises. He is also a former chair of the MK Community Foundation. He has previously been involved in supporting and managing a number of regeneration schemes in the area. Stephen was made an MBE in 2001 for services to the community, especially young people. Stephen chairs the Search & Governance Committee, and is a member of the Curriculum & Quality Group.

Ruby is an experienced business advisor to the private company market. She has worked in professional services firms for over 30 years, the last 20 at PwC where she was a partner whose roles included heading up the Private Business practice, leading on the PwC sponsored Private Business Awards and latterly as leader of the Milton Keynes office.

Having retired as a PwC partner at the end of June 2019, she now wears many hats supporting the private, public and charitable sectors. She also continues to mentor individuals and supports organisations with their Diversity and Inclusion agenda.

Her other roles include: Chair of TOTM (an organic and sustainable feminine hygiene products business), Director of Twenty3 (a sports intelligence business), Trustee of the Magic Bus, (a charity supporting children from the most deprived backgrounds in India), Director of Signia Weath, (a private investment office).

When not engaging in business, education and opening up and sharing networks, she enjoys walking the dog, keeping fit, and growing vegetables.

Charlynne Pullen is the Head of Research and Evaluation at the Education and Training Foundation (ETF). An experienced educationalist and social researcher, she manages data on the Further Education workforce and oversees the evaluations of ETF's professional learning and development programmes. She has previously worked at City & Guilds and the National Foundation for Educational Research. Charlynne is Labour's parliamentary candidate for Milton Keynes North and stood here in 2017. Previously, Charlynne was a Labour councillor in the London Borough of Islington where she chaired the Education Committee, sat on the board of the Richard Reeves Foundation, and served on two Primary School governing bodies. She grew up in Milton Keynes, attended Ousedale School and went to Oxford University to study a BA (Hons) in Modern History. She also holds an MSc in Social Research Methods from the Open University and a Graduate Diploma in Economics from Birkbeck College, University of London. Charlynne is a member of the Search & Governance Committee.

Gwynneth Tan joined the Board in September 2014. Gwynneth is a partner at Shoosmiths LLP where she specialises in employment law providing strategic and commercial advice to clients across a range of sectors including further and higher education and retail. Shoosmiths is a major UK law firm with a network of 12 offices. Gwynneth enjoys the outdoors and travel. Gwynneth chairs Remuneration Committee.

Manish joined the Board in May 2019. Manish is a qualified accountant (ACA) and entrepreneur. His experience is global having worked with many leading banks and includes financial management, programme management, consultancy and leading edge technology. Manish is currently a strategic adviser for major corporates, managing complex budgets and delivering regulatory and technology projects as well as owning a restaurant. Manish is a Parish Councillor, School Governor and a member of MK Business Leaders Partnership. In his spare time, Manish is interested in philanthropy, education and cricket.

Luke is a co-opted member of the Audit & Risk Committee. He is currently an Audit Associate at KPMG LLP (part qualified) based locally in the Milton Keynes office. Serving the Home Counties region, Luke provides statutory audit services to entities of varying size and industry, and has been involved in a number of FTSE engagements. Outside of work he enjoys running, and snowboarding in the French Alps.

Kuldip is a co-opted member of the Audit & Risk Committee. Kuldip is a Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA and AAT) and is currently a Financial Analyst with the Regulator of Social Housing where she is responsible for reviewing and reporting on financial statements, audit reports, risk and mitigation strategies and compliance with regulatory standards. Outside of work she is interested in history, travel, current affairs and going to the gym.

Karen joined the College in 2010 and prior to that she was a senior Learning Consultant with the Royal Bank of Scotland. Karen is directly accountable to the Board of Governors and her role is to provide support, guidance ensuring there is high quality college governance and that the Board operates within the requirements of the Instrument & Articles of Government. Karen has been a school governor for 12 years.