Governors

I have worked in education for the last 27 years, spanning a range of roles in a range of settings. From August 2024, I hold the privileged position at New College Leicester as Principal. Students are heart and centre of what drives my philosophy and practice. I also believe that as well as ensuring students achieve well, schools are crucial for providing opportunities and experiences for students to enable them to develop and thrive. Outside of work, I play the drums, support Newcastle United and am currently learning how to play the piano. I am also an Ex FA football referee.

I am a Franchisee with McDonald's and own and operate a number of local restaurants, and I have experience of working for and with global brands for over 25 years. I passionately believe in investing in people and want to give young people the best possible start in life, raising their aspirations and social mobility, to ready them for joining the workforce or indeed further education.

I have been running sport clubs in Leicester since 1970 and currently manage Hinckley Gymnastics Club who hold the operating licence for the club at New College Leicester Gymnastics Centre and Clarendon Park in Hinckley. I am a graduate of Fine Art and Ancient history and was for many years a Residential Care Officer and a Teacher in special education and Assessment Units in Leicester.

I combine my life as a full-time business woman with that of a mother of two teenage sons. In my working life, I have over 25 years’ experience working for local government and private business. I specialise in physical regeneration, helping to improve local neighbourhoods and create strong communities. As a parent of children with dyslexia and dyspraxia I am very familiar with the challenges and frustrations children face, and I am very committed to helping young people overcome their difficulties and achieve their best possible successes.

I work at Nottingham Trent University for the VCSE National Observatory. The National Observatory provides a one-stop source of interactive data intelligence for policymakers, infrastructure and frontline organizations, and researchers in the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector. I hold a PhD in Management from the University of Leicester, an MA in Design & Manufacture from De Montfort University, and a BA (Hons) in Industrial Design from the University of Mar Del Plata, Argentina.

Outside of acaademia, i worked as a Funding Manager for the Peepul Centre in Leicester, one of the UK's larget BAME women-led social enterprises. I successfully managed the grant clain process for funds from Sport England, Arts Council England, the National Lottery and the European Regional Development Fund. As a result, I have a proven record in successful audit trails and have established robust funding systems and procedures. Additionally, I spent 10 years as a youth worker and community activist in Argentina.

I enjoy living in Leicester with my husband and three children, and I am passionate about community development and helping young people succeed in life. I have a keen interest in supporting students with invisible disabilities, such as dyslexia or mental health issues. I am committed to further developing New College Leicester and its vibrant community.