What do governors do?

NewVIc has a board of governors whose role is to oversee the strategic direction of the College. This board is called the Corporation.

Governors appoint senior staff who are responsible for running the College on a day-to-day basis. Governors also:

• determine the College mission

• approve key policies and strategic plans

• approve the quality strategy

• ensure that the College obtains the views of staff and students

• ensure the College remains solvent, protecting public funds and assets

• approve the annual budget

• set a framework for staff pay and conditions.

Governors are volunteers, drawn from a range of backgrounds including business, local government and education.
The Principal is a member of the Corporation and there are also student and staff members.

The Corporation meets six times a year.

Committees

The Corporation has the following committees:

• Audit and Risk Committee - advising on the audit and internal control systems of the College

• Governance and Search Committee - advising on membership, training and self-assessment of the board of governors.

• Remuneration Committee - advising on the pay and performance of designated senior staff.

• Finance & Resources Committee - address issues associated with Finance, Health & Safety, Estates and Human Resources.

• Curriculum, Quality and Engagement Committee - addresses a range of issues relating to the core business of the College including reviewing the College Self-Assessment Report and the associated Quality Improvement Plan.

The Corporation also appoints temporary groups of Members from time to time to work on key strategic issues.

Link governors

A number of Link Members of the Corporation also have a specific link role which enables them to meet with staff, and monitor and support particular areas of College work.

Membership

Jayne Dickinson

Role: Independent Member & Chair of the Corporation as from 4 March 2024
Committee: Curriculum, Quality & Engagement Committee, Finance & Resources Committee and Governance & Search Committee (Chair)

Jayne is semi-retired after a long career in education, starting as a sessional teacher and moving up to Principal then CEO.  Before having her family, Jayne worked in the NHS and prior to that a brief career in marketing.  In her current work she mentors senior college leaders and aspiring leaders around the country as well as serving as a school governor and trustee.  She is also a member of a regional skills steering group and is on a local authority committee.  In addition to her degree, she holds an MA in further education management.

JANE LOFTHOUSE

Role: Vice Chair of the Corporation (Independent Member)
Committee: Curriculum, Quality & Engagement; Remuneration; Governance & Search

I have been dedicated to education all my life, both as a teacher and through involvement with charitable organisations. I have worked in Special Educational Needs, and have taught at GCSE, at A Level and, for some time, in Higher Education. For nine years, I held a pastoral post in a comprehensive school for girls. I am currently a Councillor in Plaistow South, the home of NewVIc, and Deputy Cabinet Member for Education, and Children and Young people.

I admire the NewVIc’s approach to developing its students in offering them an education beyond academia and in shaping a curriculum that leads students to success. I look forward to being a part of the team that serves its young people and its community so well.

Music, the theatre and reading have always played a large part in my life, as have cycling and yoga.

Professor Julia Shelton

Role: Independent Member
Committee: Governance & Search; Remuneration; Curriculum, Quality & Engagement (Chair)

I am a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Queen Mary, University of London.  I have worked in East London for over 30 years and am committed to supporting the provision of the best education and opportunities for students in London.

I am currently Dean for Taught Programmes in the Faculty of Science and Engineering and teach courses in the School of Engineering and Materials Science.  I believe that being part of the NewVIc’s governing body will help support the Post-16 education of students.  My particular interests lie in STEM subjects, although I am also keen to support raising the aspiration of all students into higher education.  NewVIc remains a very important part of the education profile in Newham allowing students to have access to a range of exciting opportunities.

Elizabeth Scott

Role: Independent Governor
Committee: Curriculum, Quality & Engagement

I have first-hand experience of the difference that a college such as NewVic can make to the lives and prospects of students of all ages and abilities, as they have their ambitions transformed by the college experience.  This has come through my experience of teaching, managing and researching in Further and Higher Education over more than 20 years.  I have worked in School, Sixth Form, Further Education and Higher Education.  My research has explored the experiences of students, teachers and managers in FE and HE.

I will work to support NewVic to succeed in providing high quality teaching and learning, with students and teachers being both challenged and supported to do their best, all through a forward-looking curriculum that meets the needs of the community and employers.

Kofo Ladele

Role: Independent Governor
Committee: Audit & Risk (Chair); Remuneration

I am a qualified Certified Chartered Accountant (ACCA) with over 20 years post qualification experience and the last 11 in senior finance roles in the Education sector. I currently work for a flagship Education Group in the South East of London providing strategic financial management for the Group. I also serve as Chair of Trustees of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in Bromley providing care to the disadvantaged in the community.

As an intrinsic leader and mentor to youths and young adults, I have a passion to see the next generation achieve their potential and fulfil their career aspirations. I was brought up to value exceptional well-rounded education as pivotal to opening doors and progressing in life. 

I believe putting student needs at the heart of governance is critical for the success of any Educational institution and I am privileged to contribute my experience, skills and knowledge to NewVIc’s Corporation.

Graham WilLson

Role: Independent Governor
Committee: Finance & Resources; New Build Task & Finish (Chair)

I currently work for the London Legacy Development Corporation within their Development Team managing various regeneration and transformation projects across the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and have worked in the education sector in varying roles across LEA, HE and FE delivering major projects both as client and consultant for over thirty years.

Previous governance experience includes in excess of 10 years in multiple roles at local primary and secondary schools as governor and other panels, providing a broad range of understanding and a substantive basis for working alongside and supporting NewVIc's Senior Management Team as a member of the College Corporation.

The opportunity to contribute towards and shape the future of NewVIc; its students, staff and community such that they can collectively succeed I consider to be an absolute privilege and a role that I am passionate to be part of, enabling and facilitating positive and equitable growth, broadening horizons and opportunities through education.              

Whilst I continue to build and stretch my learning through continued professional development, I am both a keen rugby enthusiast and sports and wildlife photographer.  

Mandeep Sahotay

Role: Independent Governor
Committee: Curriculum, Quality & Engagement

I have been working in the FE sector for over 20 years, predominantly within management, and have a real passion for improving learner outcomes. My particular interests lay in narrowing BAME and gender inequalities where I have done extensive work throughout the years. I have been working as a consultant for a number of years, specialising in teaching & learning, staff development, learner journey, and quality assurance.  Currently, I am embarking on a PhD, focusing on improving progress and outcomes for BAME teaching staff into SLT and principalship.

I want all NewVic learners to feel they have the right, the ambition and deserve to succeed and hence be provided with the tools to do so. 

Ebenezer Maps

Role: Parent Governor
Committee: Curriculum, Quality & Engagement; Audit & Risk Committee

I am a Certified Chartered Accountant, and currently work for a firm of Chartered Surveyors in East London, as a senior property accountant. I have been with the company for over 15 years.

I believe good quality education is the foundation to achieving success in life. Over the last 10 years, I have mentored a large number of school leavers and college students, with a larger number of them progressing to university education and or gaining full employment.

I am passionate about education and its potential to change lives. My passion is mirrored by my employer's investment in school levers education and development over the years.

I will apply the rigour and diligence that I apply in my professional life to my role on the governing body. In doing so, ensuring current and future NewVIc students will benefit from high quality education standards. Thereby, help make NewVIc one of the leading Sixth Form Colleges in the country.

I look forward to working as part of a fantastic team to support students and staff in reaching their full potential in a dynamic yet exciting new world.

CHRIS FOLORUNSO, MSc, MBA

Role: Independent Governor
Committee: Audit & Risk, Remuneration (Chair)

I am an academic by nature, though not by occupation or profession, with 25 years of experience in all areas of digital technology and marketing operations, including the development and implementation of digital platforms and digital experience strategies within the public and private sectors.

I am very passionate about technology in education, the design and delivery of digital experiences to staff, current and prospective students, and how this helps to improve engagement and the enhancement of academic experiences. As an independent Governor, I will help support the Corporation in overseeing the future of NewVic and as it continues to achieve its mission of ‘enhancing lives through excellent education and learning’.

I currently work for a company that specialises in business & consumer media and discount programmes, connecting influential people and organisations to high-value network of decision-makers, data, and ideas through its industry-leading portfolio of brands.

Kate Towner

Role: Independent Member
Committee: Finance & Resources (Chair)

I am an experienced senior manager with specialities in planning and budgeting, data visualisations, and business partnering.  I have also led several components of finance system upgrade projects, with a focus on user experience and on financial transparency.

 My career started with five years at Deloitte, followed by 19 years (so far!) of higher education finance roles.

 I have nine years of charitee trustee experience, most recently as Treasurer of a charity focussed on campaigning on human rights and the oil trade.

 I have a strong personal commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and have taken part in several projects to this effect, most recently as a member of the steering committee for Stonewall accreditation for my previous employer.

 I am a chartered accountant and Fellow of the ICAEW (FCA).

Avnesh Pandya

Role: Independent Member
Committee: Audit & Risk

I am a senior leader within central Government, helping to deliver change initiatives in the digital and technology space through project management. Most recently I've worked on both Brexit and the vaccines rollout, as well as wider transformation programs in a number of settings. Prior to this I've run my own digital marketing agency, a charity and worked as a business consultant for over a decade.

 I've sought to make a difference to the lives of young people through mentoring and coaching, with most of my time given through initiatives run by the Prince's Trust. The opportunity to contribute to NewVic, supporting students, staff and the whole community is something I am passionate about, and I hope to bring my experience and expertise to the education sector.

Trevor Harris

Role: Teaching Staff Member
Committee: Curriculum, Quality & Engagement Committee

Sam Mendy

Role: Support Staff Member
Committee: Finance & Resources Committee

I currently work for Newham Sixth Form College (NewVIc) as Front of House.

I am passionate about our students and staff wellbeing, including their safety in the college.  I am in charge of the college access control operations, and I always play a significant role in customer service.

I work collaboratively with various teams in the college including: Management, Welfare, Facilities, Tutors, Safeguarding and Security.  I am a great team player with so much experience to offer to the college and community at large.

Aleeza Hasaan

Role: SU President and Student Governor
Committee: Curriculum, Quality & Engagement

Matthew Odeyemi

Role: Student Governor
Committee: Curriculum, Quality & Engagement

Robin Jones

Role: Head of Governance

I joined NewVIc as the Clerk to the Corporation on 1 August 2019 having spent the whole of my career (40 plus years) in further education in a number of roles including being a senior manager in a General FE College. The post has since been redesignated as Head of Governance to reflect changes across the college sector.

Governance has been a common theme to all of my roles and provided the opportunity to support a number of colleges across the country as a national trainer. I was one of the co-authors of the Governor and Clerk training materials and was a member of a number of national reviews including the FE sector response to the Committee on Standards in Public Life which is more widely known as the Nolan Committee.

Members of Senior Leadership Team

SUsanne Davies

Interim Principal & Chief Executive (from October 2023 to present)

Miranda coles

Interim Executive Director, Finance, Estates and Marketing

SIJUL MIAH

Vice Principal, Curriculum & Quality

david francis

Executive Director, Safeguarding & Student Wellbeing

DAYO OGUNJOBI

Interim Executive Director, Information Systems

Susanne Datta

Executive Director, Organisational Development

TEJ MASAUN

Coach & Mentor to Curriculum Directors & Curriculum Managers