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Rob Wilmot (Chair of the Corporation Board)
Length of Service on the Board - From December
2006
Rob is an entrepreneur with a passion for civic
service. It was this uncommon mix which prompted the
Executive Mayor of Doncaster to invite Rob to chair Doncaster
Development Direction (3D), the Local Authority organisation tasked
with delivering the key transformational capital projects in the
Borough. Earlier this year Rob completed his three year
tenure as 3D chair and joined the Board of Governors at Doncaster
College as a Local Authority nominee.
Rob holds a BSc. (Hons) degree from the University of Bradford;
where, at the time of writing, the process was begun to honour Rob
as a visiting fellow in Informatics and Computing. In 1998
Rob was a founding member of Freeserve, the phenomenally successful
Internet Service Provider backed by Dixon Stores Group; where,
after a successful floatation on the London Stock Exchange and New
York NASDAQ, he became one of the youngest directors of a FTSE 100
company at the age of 29. Rob exited Freeserve after the
completion of a £1.6 billion sale to Wanadoo (a division of France
Telecom) in 2001. Since then he has continued to invest in a range
of technology, service and media companies, and serves as executive
and non-executive director on a number of company
boards.
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George Trow (Principal and Chief Executive)
Length of Service on the Board - From May
2010
George is Principal and Chief Executive of the
college, he was appointed in May 2010. Prior to this position
George was Principal and Chief Executive at Rotherham College of
Arts and Technology where he had worked for eight years. Having
worked in Colleges since 1983, George is passionate about student
success and brings with him a wealth of experience gained in six
other colleges.
George studied at Scarborough Technical College and after a
career in the hospitality industry he commenced as a Lecturer at
Bournville College Birmingham. George completed his Masters in
Business Administration having studied at Leicester University and
was proud to be granted Fellowship of City and Guilds of London
Institute for his contribution to Further Education in 2008.
He is a National Board member of the Association of Colleges and
Vice Chair of JISC Yorkshire and Humberside. George enjoys an
interest in classic cars and for exercise and relaxation likes
spending time walking in the countryside.
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Robert Allen
Length of Service on the Board - From October
2009
Robert was born and bred in Doncaster. A former
Danum Grammar School pupil, who went on to study at Leeds and
Nottingham obtaining a Doctorate in Food Science from the
University of Leeds. Since then he has worked in food research and
development, higher education, environmental management and
regional learning & skills development. Working in Avon, Hull,
The Shetland Isles before returning to his home town.
Robert is a Member of the Institute of Meat, a Fellow of the
Institute of Food Science and Technology and a Chartered Scientist
with a firm belief that a fair and productive society can only be
based on learning and skills where education is fundamental to such
a development. He sees the College as being a vital element in
helping to make Doncaster a great place, to live, to work and to be
educated.
He is currently a board member of St. Leger Homes the ‘Arms
Length Management Organisation’ set up by Doncaster Council to
manage its council homes and in his spare time enjoys gardening and
hill walking.
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Ruth Brook
Length of Service on the Board - From September
2006
Ruth first came to Doncaster at 18 to train to
become a teacher at the High Melton site. She has since taught
children from 3 – 13 years locally as well as teaching 16 – 60 year
olds at Doncaster College. Her 3 sons have all attended local
schools with the youngest attending Doncaster College studying BTEC
National Diploma in Public Services.
Ruth works for Doncaster Council managing their Adult, Family
and Community Learning Service. She has knowledge of the full range
of education services and works closely with community groups, the
College and the Learning and Skills Council. In her spare time she
enjoys walking, gardening, reading and visiting the theatre.
She believes that the college is best placed to provide
Doncaster people, young and old, with the opportunity to develop
their academic potential and become an active part of their
community.
As a governor she is keen to hear from other parents about how
we can further support our children to be high achieving
students.
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Karen Finlayson
Length of Service on the Board - From June
2008
Karen was born and still resides in Doncaster.
Karen currently holds a senior role at a large firm of accountants
based in Leeds. She holds the ACCA Diploma in Accounting and
Finance and is also a Member of the Institute of Internal Auditors.
Throughout her career, Karen has worked within the Financial
Services sector, Manufacturing and Retail Industry, however for the
last 15 years of her career Karen has predominantly within the
Government and Public Sector.
Prior to her current role, Karen worked for the Rotherham
Training and Enterprise Council which were one of the organisations
that went onto form the Learning and Skills Council. During her
career in the professional service Karen has worked on a number of
audit and consultancy assignments with and for the LSC. Karen's
current role involves working in all aspects of the Public Sector
including Further Education and Higher, Central and Local
Government and the Health Sector.
Karen believes that education is the foundation for creating a
better society and she strongly believes that a good education
gives you the opportunity to put your destiny in your own hands and
gives you choices that would otherwise not exist.
Outside of work Karen's interests include skiing, cycling,
reading and travelling.
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Richard Farthing
Length of Service on the Board - From August
2008
Richard, originally from Manchester
and a former Doncaster Grammar School pupil, got his Honours
degree in Business with Marketing from Leeds Metropolitan
University. Currently celebrating his 25th year as a performer
and musician around the region. In addition he has
worked in the Public Sector in Leeds and other parts of
Yorkshire, and has recently studied History of Art at UKC
(Canterbury).
'As someone who has spent a lot of time in education, I
recognise the importance of understanding new ideas and new ways of
learning, while not disregarding the best of traditional
values.'
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Dave Hiskey
Length of Service on the Board - From October
2009
Dave, born in South London, moved to Doncaster
as a teenager attending Doncaster Grammar School before moving on
to four years at Art College studying photography and has worked as
a photographer ever since. The first seven years of his
working life were spent back in the capitol city, learning and
developing his trade.
Dave's work has been used in numerous publications over the
years including The Times, The Independent, and the Labour magazine
Tribune and he has had work exhibited locally, nationally
and abroad. Apart from photography Dave takes an interest in art,
film, history, politics, and football but not necessarily in that
order!
'Spike Milligan said everybody has to be somewhere, and I’m here
now, have been for more years than I care to remember, but I enjoy
what I do and like the people I work with….that makes a difference
and what we all do makes a difference.'
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Gill Knight
Length of Service on the Board - From August
2008
Gill has worked for local law firm, Atteys,
since qualifying as a solicitor in 1982 and has been Managing
Partner for the past 5 years.
Throughout her career she has specialised in Personal Injury
claims, particularly cases involving medical negligence and brain
injury. She also acts as a Professional Deputy and Trustee on
behalf of clients who are unable to look after their own affairs.
She therefore has a good understanding of the needs of disabled
learners and is keen to champion their interests.
As the manager of a local business with diverse training needs,
Gill firmly believes in the importance of dialogue between the
College and local employers.
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Robert Stubbs
Length of Service on the Board - From October
2009
Robert has been a chartered accountant in
private practice for over 30 years and a partner for 20 years. He
saw his practice grow from having 25 employees to having 800
members of staff and over 50 partners. He was named ‘Star in the
Community’ in 2005 by the members of the West Riding branch of the
Institute of Chartered Accountants. Robert was also a Governor for
10 years for one of the largest FE Colleges in the country.
In his spare time Robert’s hobbies now include recreational
sailing having raced around the world in 1996/7, motorsports and he
is also a prolific fundraiser for various local and national
charities.
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Jamie Smyth
Length of Service on the Board - From July
2010
Jamie is a commercial property consultant for
local surveying practice LWE Commercial Property Advisers. Since
joining in 2005, he has acquired a first class honours degree
studying Business Property Management at Sheffield Hallam
University and works with a range of private investors on
commercial property acquisitions, developments and investments.
Jamie has been a proactive member of the Doncaster Chamber of
Commerce for 4 years and has facilitated joint projects between
local businesses and Sheffield Hallam University.
As a Governor, Jamie is keen to ensure that learners in the
Borough have the best opportunity to adapt and progress their
education in an engaging environment, enabling them to develop and
succeed in their chosen career paths.
In his spare time, Jamie enjoys reading, snowboarding, cycling,
football and running and in September 2010 completed a 140 miles
run in 6 days on the ‘Coast 2 Coast’ route from Workington to
Tynemouth to raise money for CLIC Sergeant and the Sheffield
Steelers Wheelchair Basketball team
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Alex Sutherland
Length of Service on the Board - From July
2010
Alex has spent 28 years in public service, 24
of them in the education and training sector. He is currently Head
of Post-16 Learning & Skills at Sheffield City Council, a post
he took up in April 2010. Prior to that, Alex spent 9 years in the
Learning & Skills Council at their HQ in Coventry and working
across South Yorkshire. He has previous experience with the
College, having helped to steer through the recovery process
between 2007 and 2009.
Educated in the Highlands of Scotland, Alex "emigrated" south at
the age of 18. His main outside interests are football (still
playing from time-to-time, an avid viewer, frequent visitor to
Celtic Park and coach to his local 'under-14' football team) and
family (he's married and has two children, aged 19 and 13).
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David Sharp
Length of Service on the Board - From August
2007
David is an Educational and Management
consultant having recently retired as Principal of Hemsworth Arts
and Community College. He feels extremely proud that through
excellent teamwork the college became one of the most
successful 'schools' in the country.
He was educated originally in his home town of Hull but went on
to study at Leeds, Newcastle and Portsmouth Universities, attaining
a BSc (Econ) MEd and NPQH. He has lived in Doncaster since 1979 and
throughout this time has served on a number of school governing
bodies.
He is passionate about education and particularly the role it
can play in regenerating former coal mining areas.
Current hobbies include skiing and motorcycling and in the past
he has played representative soccer and rugby.
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Meryl White
Length of Service on the Board - From August
2011
Building on over 30 years experience in education Meryl White
works with a wide range of clients in education, learning and
skills sectors. She held, until she retired in 2009, a senior post
within a South Yorkshire local authority, providing strategic
direction and leadership to raise the aspirations of young people,
enable partnership working between education providers and widen
curriculum choice for 11-19 year olds in schools, colleges and work
based learning. She has wide experience of planning, collaborative
working, performance management, self-evaluation, curriculum
development and project leadership.
Meryl is also a cookery writer with the publication of Grandma
Abson’s Traditional Baking, a collection of her Grandmother’s
recipes. She is keen to share her passion for baking and delivers
talks and demonstrations on traditional baking to baking devotees,
intriguing memories for culinary nostalgics and invaluable hints
for those new to baking.
Meryl gives of her time in a voluntary capacity as a trustee of
the National Board of Young Enterprise and the Chair of the South
Yorkshire Young Enterprise Board.
Meryl brings experience, intellectual commitment to achievement
for all, value for relationships and enthusiasm for the work of
staff and students at Doncaster College.
She enjoys gardening, swimming and reading in her spare
time.
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Danny Wheatley-Darrand
Length of Service on the Board - From August
2011
My name is Danny Wheatley-Darrand. I am 19 years of age and I
used to live in Spain for 7 years until I moved back to my hometown
of Doncaster. I have travelled to many countries on holidays and I
love to visit new countries and explore new cultures.
I am currently on the Uniformed Public Services Level 3 course
on my 2nd year here at Doncaster College. After I have completed my
2nd year I hope to join the prison service as a prison officer. I
have admired and aspired towards this job for at least 8 years now
and it is something I really want to achieve.
My hobbies and interests include football, ps3, hanging out with
my friends and overall spending lots of money to treat myself and
those close to me. I also have a number of jobs despite being full
time at college, these are as follows:
I am a steward for Doncaster Rovers, Doncaster Belles, Doncaster
Rugby League, Doncaster Knights, and Keepmoat Car Boot. I am also
Bakery assistant for Asda and I work for G4S in my spare time.
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Ron Hill - Clerk to the Corporation
Length of Service on the Board - From August
2008
Dr Ron Hill is Clerk to the Corporation and, therefore, not a
Governor. The role of the Clerk to the Corporation is to provide
governance administration, advice, support and development.
Ron can be contacted on ron.hill@don.ac.uk regarding any
aspect of College governance.
When he is not involved in college governance activities, Ron
likes to walk the hills of Wales, Scotland, Norway and the European
Alps. He also likes to explore wilder parts of Britain and Europe
by mountain bike