Emma Beal is an experienced education professional who has led, managed and delivered across a broad spectrum of educational areas within South Yorkshire over the last 22 years. The key thread of this work is securing educational inclusion. As Principal and Chief Executive of The Northern College, her role is to continue the proud and distinguished history of inspiring positive change through adult education. Emma is committed to ensuring students are equipped with the necessary skills to participate and succeed across all aspects of their lives.
Emma’s experience, knowledge and skills include developing new curriculum, quality improvement and partnership. Her previous roles include Assistant Principal for Curriculum, Quality and Market Development here at Northern College and Assistant Director for Lifelong Learning at Sheffield City Council. Emma has a Masters in Science (Health & Wellbeing) and was able to use this learning and research to contribute to wider educational policy development in the local area. Emma is the College Ofsted nominee and a member of the College Safeguarding Team.
Sue Saunders has over 23 years’ experience in the Further Education and Skills sector, 16 years of which have been at a senior level within in a number of FE Colleges. She is passionate about education and the role it plays in transforming peoples lives and offering new opportunities, as well as having a significant positive impact on the local and national economy.
Sue is a qualified CIMA accountant, having had strategic oversight across a wide range of functions including Financial Management, Strategic Planning, Curriculum Planning Information Services, Data Analysis, ICT, Business Development and Partnership Management.
Diane Lawson is passionate about education and the learning experience of students. She has worked in education for the past 34 years and has held senior positions for the past 13 years as an Associate Director and Assistant Principal. Diane has a strong leadership background within Further and Higher Education and is committed to the student journey, working with sensitivity and perseverance to create ambition and change to meet student need.
As a qualified Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor and Executive Coach, Diane has a special interest in mental health and wellbeing and is driven to improve practice as well as outcomes for students. Diane has extensive knowledge and experience within the field of safeguarding, Prevent and supporting legislation. Diane is the Designated Safeguarding Lead for Northern College, and she is a Board member of Barnsley Safeguarding Adults Board and Barnsley Silver Prevent. Diane has previously worked supporting mental health and wellbeing for students locally, nationally (in Healthy Colleges) and internationally in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Romania and Italy.
Elin is MCIPD qualified and has nearly 20 years experience within the field of HR. Before taking on her current leadership position at Northern College Elin gained HR experience in local authority, further education and higher education. Elin has a breadth of experience in the field of HR with specific expertise in recruitment and resourcing, employee engagement and employee relations.
Mark has worked in the estates and facilities and building/estate management sector for almost 40 years working predominantly within the public realm (education and policing environments). Mark started his career as an apprentice plumbing and mechanical services engineer and went on to specialise in the refurbishment of architectural leadwork. He has been involved in numerous heritage leadwork refurbishment schemes and refurbished leadwork to the Halifax Piece Hall Bell Tower, Halifax Borough Market and Halifax Town Hall. Mark went on to study for numerous professional and academic qualifications as an adult learner, gaining a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in 1999.
Mark has had significant input into the design of numerous high profile public buildings across West Yorkshire and has managed complex and specialist tactical and operational policing sites both regionally and nationally.
Steph Eyre has nearly 10 years experience working in FE, specialising in Adult Education.
Accredited with CMgr status, Steph is passionate about providing a curriculum that is accessible, innovative and meets the needs of all adult learners, employers and the local community.
With a proven track record in enhancing student engagement and achievement through curriculum design and implementation, she has been able to develop effective and engaging new provision that aligns to the Local Skills Improvement Plans across South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and non devolved areas.
Steve has over 10 years’ experience working in the FE sector focusing on business systems and business intelligence solutions, MIS and ICT functions including the physical and digital infrastructure, curriculum planning and funding.
Neil has 25 years’ experience of working in finance and has held various roles in the private, third and education sectors. He is an FCCA qualified accountant and completed all his studies (much!) earlier in his career whilst working full-time, so understands and values the contribution of adult education and the power it has to change lives and enable individual self-worth.
Neil has been employed at the College since March 2015 and enjoys the challenges and subsequent achievements that come with working here. For Neil the best part of working at the College is seeing the positive effect that education has on the students’ lives and the outcomes they achieve because of this.
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