Corporation
The College’s Corporation includes independent Governors representing the community we serve and key stakeholders, the Principal, two Staff Governors and two Student Governors. Profiles are available below.
Our Corporation has the following Committees:
- Audit Committee
- Quality and Standards Committee
- Remuneration Committee
- Search Committee
Phil Wilkinson
Chair of the Corporation and Independent Governor
Phil became Chair of the Board of Corporation in February 2022, and was previously Corporation Vice Chair. Phil is CEO of Ascentis, an awarding organisation for educational qualifications for Further Education (FE) colleges, training providers, schools and employers.
Emma Schofield
Vice Chair of the Corporation and Independent Governor
Emma became Vice Chair of the Board of Corporation in February 2022. Emma is Deputy Director of Human Resources (HR) and Organisation Development at the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.
Amanda Melton CBE
Principal and CEO
Amanda was recently awarded a CBE for her service to education and skills. Amanda has been Principal of Nelson and Colne College, including Lancashire Adult Learning, since joining in 2012 – and became Principal of the merged College in November 2018.
David Whatley
Independent Governor
David is a Group Chief Internal Auditor for GIAA – the executive agency of HM Treasury (HMT) established in 2015 to improve the quality of internal audit provided to central Government.
Nadeem Rashid
Independent Governor
Nadeem is the senior partner at Marsdens Solicitors, based in Nelson – and a former student here at Nelson and Colne College.
Mike Phelan
Independent Governor
Mike has over 30 years of experience in senior leadership and curriculum development in Further Education (FE) Colleges in the North West, prior to his retirement in 2015.
Julie Turner
Independent Governor
Julie has over 25 years of experience in further, higher and secondary education – including as Deputy Headteacher at the Hollins School in Accrington, and as a Further Education and Higher Education lecturer and programme leader.
Zulfi Khan
Independent Governor
A previous A level student of Nelson and Colne College, Zulfi is a qualified Solicitor of England and Wales, and after being a salaried Partner in an East Lancashire law firm, moved on to establish a successful and growing practice in Bury.
Liz Sedgley
Independent Governor
Liz is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants in England and Wales. For the last 20 years Liz has run a successful management consultancy.
Chris Smith
Independent Governor
Chris is Managing Director of Pendle Engineering and Pendle Bike Racks, and a member of Pendle Vision and the Nelson Town Deal Board.
Tom Gee
Staff Governor
Tom is Curriculum Leader for English and Maths at Lancashire Adult Learning (LAL).
Gill Sharples
Staff Governor
Gill is the Registry Team Leader for the College Group, and as well as being a Staff Governor is also a workplace representative for Unison.
Aimee-Jade Beck
Student Governor
Aimee is studying A level Sociology, English Literature and English Language at Nelson and Colne College. President of the College’s Student Hub, Aimee is passionate about challenges facing students and supporting the College.
Simone Hartley-Gott
Student Governor
Simone is studying a Foundation Degree in Counselling (FdA) at the Higher Education centre in Accrington and Rossendale College.
Amer Ansar
Co-opted Committee member of the Audit Committee
A previous student of Nelson and Colne College, Amer is an Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) and Assistant Tax Manager at KPMG.
Read more…
Pauline Hagen OBE
Co-opted Committee member of the Quality and Standards Committee
Pauline’s extensive experience in education and skills led to her being awarded an OBE for services to education in 2016. During her time as Principal of New College Pontefract, the College improved to become the best sixth form College in the north of England, and the third best in the whole country.
Dean Langton
Co-opted Member of Audit Committee
Dean is Director of Finance at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, and has a career of over 27 years in local Government, most recently being Chief Executive of Pendle Borough Council.
Debbie Corcoran
Director of Governance
Debbie is the governance professional advising and supporting the Board of Corporation. As Chair of the AoC’s North West network of governance professionals, she is also a member of the AoC’s National Governance Professionals Group.
