Paul Jackson – Chair of the Corporation (from February 2023)

Role: Independent Member

Committees: Finance & Resources, Remuneration & Search

• Paul brings extensive executive and non-executive board-level experience across media, local government, and education sectors.

• As former Chair of Governors at Kingsford Community School and through his leadership at EngineeringUK, he has supported the College in delivering science and engineering careers events, such as the Big Bang Fair.

• A chartered engineer with early career experience in humanitarian mine clearance research, Paul later led professional operations at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Europe’s largest professional body for science, engineering, and technology.

• He has also been involved with the Council for the Parliamentary and Scientific all-party group and served as Pro-Chancellor at the University of Essex.

• Paul is also the Chair of Board of Governors at the University of Winchester.

Jamie Purser – Principal and Chief Executive

Committees: Finance & Resources, Curriculum & Quality, HE Oversight Board and Search.
Audit & Risk and Remuneration (by invitation).

• Jamie Purser, brings over 20 years of leadership experience in the Further Education (FE) sector.
• Under Jamie’s leadership, Newham College has consistently ranked among London’s highest-performing FE institutions in achievement rates since 2018.

Dr Tom Flynn – Vice Chair of Corporation

Role: Independent Member

Committees: Finance & Resources (Chair), Remuneration and Search

• Tom is an experienced leader in education and the charity sector, holding degrees at all levels, including a PhD in political science from the University of York.
• Currently CEO of Girls’ Learning Trust and a trustee of two charities, he brings over 15 years of senior experience in education.

Jane Lofthouse

Role: Independent Member
Committees: Audit & Risk
Link Governor: Safeguarding

• Jane has dedicated her life to education, working across Special Educational Needs, GCSE, A-Level, and Higher Education.

Femi Olatidoye

Role: Independent Member

Committee: Finance & Resources

• Femi is a senior HR professional with over 20 years of experience, having led HR functions in both private and public sectors.
• His expertise spans organisational review, M&As, TUPE, leadership coaching, employee relations, and pay negotiations.

Lalage Clay

Role: Independent Member

Committees: Audit & Risk (Chair)

• Lalage is an experienced marketing professional with a strong background in commercial and not-for-profit sectors.
• Formerly Director of Education and Talent at London & Partners, she is currently Deputy Director of Portfolio Marketing at King’s College London.

Michael Magbagbeola

Role: Independent Member

Committees: Curriculum & Quality

• Michael is a Trustee of the Redeemed Camp charity and founder of ‘Save the King,’ supporting the homeless and vulnerable.
• He has previous FE experience and currently serves as Director of People at Barts Health NHS Trust.

Sarah Thomas

Role: Independent Member

Committees: Audit & Risk

• Sarah is a Partner at DLA Piper with over 25 years’ experience in major infrastructure projects, advising on all stages from design to operation.
• She has developed bespoke construction models for a range of international projects.

Purnima Pratap

Role: Independent Member

Committees: Audit & Risk

• Purnima is a Managing Director at Accenture and Financial Services Integrated Delivery Lead for UK & Ireland, leading major transformation and delivery activity across the financial services sector.
• She has extensive experience working with financial services organisations, with particular expertise spanning banking, technology-enabled transformation and the delivery of complex change programmes.
• Purnima brings significant commercial, analytical and organisational experience to the Governing Board, alongside an understanding of the risks, controls and governance considerations associated with large-scale transformation and rapidly evolving technologies.

Nigel Pepper

Role: Independent Member

Committees: Curriculum & Quality and HE Oversight Board (Chair)

• Nigel is an experienced education governor and former global investment banking risk management specialist, bringing strong analytical, governance and oversight experience.
• As a founding trustee of a multi-academy trust in Sutton, he played a key role in its establishment and strategic development, supporting investment in teaching, facilities and digital infrastructure while championing improved access and outcomes for disadvantaged students.
• Nigel is passionate about the role of Further Education in promoting social mobility and widening opportunity. He brings a strong focus on high-quality teaching, student achievement and inclusive pathways for both young people and adult learners.

Rich Hornby

Role: Independent Member

Committees: Finance & Resources (Vice Chair)

• Richard is Director of Finance at Ofcom and a qualified accountant with extensive senior finance and leadership experience across public-sector organisations.
• He previously served as Chief Financial Officer at the Cabinet Office, having also held senior finance roles at the Home Office, within the NHS and in local government.
• Richard brings significant experience in financial management, governance, organisational leadership and the oversight of complex public services, alongside wider experience of educational governance.

Simon Sisodia

Role: Independent Member

Committees: Audit & Risk (Vice Chair)

• Simon is Chief Financial Officer at STRYDE and a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, with extensive experience in senior finance and commercial leadership roles.
• Simon brings strong expertise in financial management, risk, governance and organisational change, together with a commercially focused approach to scrutiny and assurance.

Lily-May Cameron

Role: Independent Member

Committees: Curriculum & Quality and HE Oversight Board

Link Governor: Student Voice

• Lily-May is a London-based marketing and campaigns professional, currently working as a Content and Campaigns Executive at the Barrister Group.
• She is a former President of the University of Essex Students’ Union, where she represented students, chaired the Students’ Union Board of Trustees and served as a member of the University of Essex Council. This experience supports her role as the Governing Board’s Link Governor for Student Voice.
• Lily-May graduated from the University of Essex in 2024 with a degree in Politics and International Relations with Applied Quantitative Methods.

Zaakir Akhtar

Role: Staff Governor

• Zaakir is Head of Student Experience at Newham College London, with responsibility for supporting the wider student experience and ensuring learners are effectively supported throughout their time at the College.
• Prior to Newham College, Zaakir was a Teacher/Head of Politics and Citizenship at a Secondary/Sixth Form.
• As Staff Governor, he brings direct operational insight from across the College, together with a strong understanding of student needs, engagement and the factors that contribute to a positive and inclusive learner experience. 

Jon Kingsbury

Role: Independent Member

• Jon is Vice Chancellor of Ravensbourne University London, where he leads the university’s strategy and its focus on education at the intersection of creativity, technology and business.
• Prior to joining Ravensbourne, he was CEO of Innovate UK Business Connect, connecting innovative businesses with universities, investment, public funding and new markets. He has also held senior roles at Nesta, the BBC and Channel 4 Television.
•  Jon brings extensive experience across Higher Education, innovation, industry and the creative sectors. He previously served as a Governor and Deputy Chair at Ravensbourne and is passionate about practice-based learning, widening opportunity and strengthening partnerships between education and industry.

Stephen Wells

Role: Independent Member

Committees: Finance & Resources

• Stephen is Executive Director of Estates and Facilities at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust and has more than 30 years’ experience in estates and facilities management.
• He has held senior leadership roles across both healthcare and Higher Education, including positions at London South Bank University, Queen Mary University of London, University College London and the University of Surrey. Stephen brings extensive experience in estates strategy, capital investment, governance and organisational leadership.
• Stephen is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Building, holds a degree in Project Management for Construction and an MBA, and has also held a number of non-executive roles, including Chair of the Association of University Directors of Estates.

Zahid Bhatti

Role: Independent Member

Committees: Curriculum & Quality and HE Oversight Board (Vice Chair)

• Zahid is Principal and Chief Executive of EMBS Community College, an independent further education provider serving Oxford and Banbury, where he leads provision for young people and adults from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds.
• He brings over 20 years’ experience across further education, widening participation, youth work and community development, with a strong focus on teaching and learning, inclusion, learner engagement and improving outcomes for those facing barriers to education. He also has governance experience across youth, community and social care organisations, contributing to strategic oversight, safeguarding and organisational development.
• Zahid studied Philosophy and Psychology at the University of Liverpool and holds postgraduate qualifications in Philosophy and Educational Psychology, alongside further study in Educational Leadership and Management and Youth and Community. He is passionate about widening opportunity, raising aspirations and ensuring further education responds effectively to the needs of learners and local communities.