The Board of Trustees is ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s governing body. It has ultimate responsibility for the strategic direction of ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ. Trustees are also the Directors and Members of the Company. 

The Board must have at least four and not more than fifteen Trustees.

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John Widdowson, ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ Chair of Trustees
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John Widdowson

Chair of Trustees, Nominations Committee Member

John began his career as a lawyer but worked in Further and Higher Education for nearly forty years, the last twenty-two of which were as Principal and Chief Executive of New College Durham. 

Geoff Layer, Externally Co-opted Trustee
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Geoff Layer

Vice Chair of Trustees, Education Committee Member, Nominations Committee Chair

Geoff Layer recently retired as Vice Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton, having worked for over 40 years in post compulsory education. He is now working on strategic development for Coventry University. 

Image of Matthew Pointon, ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ President
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Matthew Pointon

President & National Officer, Nominations Committee Member, People Committee Member

Matt is a full-time trade unionist working for the TUC and ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ President.

Profile picture of Ron Marks, ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ Deputy President
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Ron Marks

Deputy President & National Officer, People Committee Member

Ron has been a member of the ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ and a tutor since 2005, in addition to being a secondary school teacher and tutor for a total of sixty years.

Kevin Doyle ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ, Treasurer & National Officer
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Kevin Doyle

Treasurer & National Officer, Finance & Capital Resources Committee Chair

On his retirement in 2016, Kevin got involved in his local ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ branch and was branch chair for five years. Before taking his current role, he was a member of a regional committee and of the Finance and Capital Resources Committee. 

Robin Cook, ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ English Regional Representative
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Robin Cook

ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ English Regional Representative, Audit & Risk Committee Member, Scotland Board Member, ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ Council Member

Robin has  spent his whole career within the Public Service, retiring from Senior Management. As a Civil Servant he had many and varied duties from which he gained a great deal of administrative, operational and strategic experience.

Malcolm Grady, ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ English Regional Representative
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Malcolm Grady

ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ English Regional Representative, Education Committee Chair

Malcolm has spent his professional career in the world of education. He qualified as a teacher after graduating from York University and taught history and politics for a number of years before moving into educational administration.

Abda Khan
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Abda Khan

Externally Co-opted Trustee, Education Committee Member

Abda is a lawyer turned writer, creative practitioner and tutor. She joined the Board of Trustees in November 2023.

Cathy Armor picture
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Cathy Armor

Externally Co-opted Trustee, Safeguarding Lead, People Committee Chair, Education Committee Member

Cathy had a 30+ year career in Human Resources at a variety of organisations - private, public and not for profit. She joined the Board of Trustees in November 2023.

Christine Grant, Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee
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Christine Grant

Externally Co-opted Trustee, Audit & Risk Committee Chair, Nominations Committee Member

Christine joined the Board of Trustees as an external co-opted trustee in July 2022. She chairs the Audit and Risk Committee and is a member of the Nominations Committee.

Jamey Johnson
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Jamey Johnson

Externally Co-opted Trustee, Finance & Capital Resources Committee Member

Jamey is the Director of Command and Control at the Metropolitan Police Service where he leads 999, 101, dispatch and control services for London.

Photo of ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ trustee Stephanie Mason
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Stephanie Mason

Externally Co-opted Trustee, Finance & Capital Resources Committee Member

Stephanie is a chartered accountant and an experienced governor. She has worked in the further education sector in various forms since 1993.

Tracey Irving
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Tracey Irving

Externally Co-opted Trustee, Scotland Board Chair

Tracey has significant HR, General Management and Strategic experience as a Senior Leader with extensive experience across multiple sectors.