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
- Capital, Estates and Sustainability Committee
- Quality and Standards Committee
- Remuneration Committee
- Search and Governance 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.
Lisa O’Loughlin
Principal and CEO
Lisa O’Loughlin is the Principal and CEO of Nelson and Colne College Group. She has a wealth of experience within the Further Education Sector having joined NCCG from The Manchester College, where she was Principal and Deputy CEO at LTE.
Helen Curtis
Vice Chair of the Corporation and Independent Governor
Helen’s wealth of knowledge and expertise in health has been developed through her extensive career of over 40 years as a senior leader in the NHS, in a number of executive, Board and clinically focussed roles…
David Whatley
Vice Chair of the Corporation and Independent Governor
David is an Associate Non-Executive Director of North West Ambulance Service, with his accountancy career beginning as an Auditor at Pendle Borough Council and most recently as Group Chief Internal Auditor for GIAA
Arif Ahmad
Independent Governor
Arif is an Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA), and former A level student of Nelson and Colne College. His extensive expertise in strategic finance and career in accountancy has been developed through multiple roles in the private sector….
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 providing accountancy and strategic finance support to public sector organisations …
Steve Campbell
Independent Governor
Steve is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The LET Education Trust, a cross-phase Multi Academy Trust (MAT) working to improve outcomes and aspirations in East Lancashire and beyond.
Gemma Marsh
Independent Governor
Gemma is Director of Education, Skills and Work at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), where she is responsible for leading skills and work policy development in the devolved area…
Christine Kenyon MBE
Independent Governor
Christine’s extensive experience in Further Education (FE) spans over 30 years and includes senior curriculum and quality roles at three Grade 1 Outstanding colleges in the North West…
Melissa Conlon
Independent Governor
Melissa is Commercial Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre North West, whose multi-million pound base in Lancashire carries out world-class research into advanced machining…
Sarah Applewhite
Independent Governor
Sarah has a wealth of experience in enhancing quality, learning, and teaching strategies across both higher education and further education sectors, and is currently Vice Principal at Bradford College…
Darren Hutton
Independent Governor
Darren brings over 20 years of digital leadership experience from both the private sector, in businesses such as Hippo Digital Ltd, as well as through his roles in the NHS and Department for Work and Pensions….
Aqil Javed
Staff Governor
Aqil was welcomed to the Board as a new Staff Governor in September 2024. As well as his role as an A Level Biology lecturer here at the College Group….
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.
Simone Hartley-Gott
Student Governor
After successfully completing her Foundation Degree in Counselling (FdA) at the Higher Education centre in Accrington and Rossendale College, Simone is now enjoying studying for her Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Simone is passionate about sharing her perspective as a student here at the College, as well as insight and skills gained in her previous roles in the care sector and as a self-employed business owner.
Emily-Jayne Austin
Student Govenor
Emily joined us in 2023 to study A levels in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths, after her time at West Craven High School. An active member of the College’s Pre-Medicine Society and Scholar’s Programme, she is studying hard to fulfil her dream of completing a Medicine Degree as her next steps – and is enjoying bringing student voice to the heart of the Board.
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.
Charlie Moss
Co-opted Committee member of Quality and Standards Committee
Charlie is Head of Further Education Curriculum Support at the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, where he leads Gatsby’s programme of Technical Education Networks…
Peter Nangle
Co-opted Committee member of Quality and Standards Committee
Peter’s senior leadership career in the further education (FE) sector has spanned 30 years, beginning first as a Lecturer and then Head of Faculty at Blackburn College.
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.
