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Mrs Katharine Clough
Katharine was appointed as a member of the Corporation in November 2015. She is currently the Director of External Engagement at the University of Wolverhampton and prior to that held senior positions within the Marketing, Research and Transformation departments of local government. She graduated from the University of Nottingham with an undergraduate honours degree in Sociology and Economics and the University of the West of England with a postgraduate diploma in marketing. She serves on the Corporation’s Standards Committee.
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Mr Peter Davies
Peter was appointed as a member of the Corporation in September 2012. Peter is Chief Executive of CK Chartered Accountants; EMEA Region Board member of PrimeGlobal, a worldwide Association of Independent Accountancy Practices. He graduated from London University with a degree in Mathematics and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. He is Chair of the Corporation’s Finance & Estates Committee and Remuneration Committee. He is also a Trustee of Dudley Academies Trust and Chair of Dudley Academies Trust, Business & Audit Committee.
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Mr Martin Dudley
Martin was appointed as a member of the Corporation in March 2012. Martin is Chairman of Thomas Dudley Limited, a group of local manufacturing businesses. He graduated from Brunel University with a degree in manufacturing engineering and also holds a MBA from Wolverhampton University. Martin is a fellow of the Institute of Cast Metal Engineers and Chair of the Skills Policy Group for the Black Country Chamber of Commerce. He serves on the Corporation’s Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee. He is also a Trustee of Dudley Academies Trust.
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Mr Aldrich Gonsalves
Aldrich is the Students’ Union President for 2019/2020 having completed two years of study at Dudley College of Technology, studying ESOL in his first year and Animal Sciences in his second year. Aldrich is a Dudley Young Commissioner and is currently working towards his bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award. He hopes to progress into employment in the environmental sector. He serves on the Corporation’s Standards Committee.
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Mrs Charlie Harvey
Charlie was appointed to the Corporation in December 2014 and currently works in the Finance function of a large insurance firm. She has previous experience in audit, forensic accounting and financial control within various financial and professional services organisations. She graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in economics. She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. She is Chair of the Corporation’s Audit Committee. She is also a Member of Dudley Academies Trust.
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Professor Alison Hodge MBE
Alison was appointed to the Corporation in October 2015 and was employed as a Professor of Engineering Leadership at Aston University until August 2018. She has also worked in the Defence Industry and as a Government research physicist and manager. Alison has a BSc and PhD in Physics from Reading University and is a Chartered Engineer. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and the Institution of Engineering and Technology, a Fellow of the Women in Engineering Society, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a member of Women in Science and Engineering. She was awarded an MBE for services to the Institute of Physics in 2002. She serves on the Corporation’s Standards Committee. She is also a Member of Dudley Academies Trust.
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Ms Helen Lawley
Student Governor. Helen is a returning mature student, currently studying a Level 3 IMI motor vehicle maintenance and repair course at Wolverhampton Street, having completed level 1 and 2 qualifications. Helen has been a proactive member of the Students' Union, where she was Vice President of Welfare for 2018/19. She was co-founder of the Students' Union Disability Committee and has trained to be a mental health ambassador with the College. Helen has a keen interest in NHS matters, serving as an active member of a local Patient Participation Group since 2013, where she has been Vice Chair since 2017. She serves on the Corporation's Audit Committee.
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Ms Valerie Little
Valerie was appointed to the Corporation in December 2016 and is currently Vice Chair. Valerie is a retired Public Health Specialist. She has served as a Board Executive Director of health authorities for 18 years, latterly as Director of Public Health in Dudley from 2002 to 2014. She holds a BSc (Hons) from Bristol University, a DipSocAdmin from London School of Economics, a MSocSci and MPH from Birmingham University. She is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians Faculty of Public Health. Valerie was born and went to school in Dudley and currently lives in the Borough. She is a Board Member of a national housing-related charity. She serves on the Corporation’s Finance and Estates Committee. She is also a Member of Dudley Academies Trust.
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Mr Suhail Rana
Suhail was appointed to the Corporation in March 2014 and reappointed in March 2018 as Teaching Staff Governor. Suhail is a Lecturer in Computer Science in Dudley Sixth. He has a MSc Degree in Information Systems Engineering with Business Administration from Wolverhampton University, a PGCE from Greenwich University and an Advanced Diploma in Local History from Oxford University. He is Chairman of the Wolverhampton Civic and Historical Society and is also creator of the national website lovemytown.co.uk, the UK Civic Pride website. He serves on the Corporation’s Standards Committee.
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Mr Jonathan Sandhu
Jonathan was appointed as Business Support Staff Governor in April 2016. He has ten years of experience working at the College, currently employed as Learning Resources Team Leader. He is a Child Exploitation and On-line Protection Ambassador and On-line Safety Lead and is currently undertaking a L5 management programme. He serves on the Corporation’s Finance and Estates Committee.
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Miss Liz Sithole
Liz was appointed as a member of the Corporation in November 2019. She is a Certified Chartered Accountant and currently works on projects within the Finance function for a large UK insurance firm. She has a BSc in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University. She is a fellow of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants, has previous experience in audit, corporate governance and financial control. She serves on the Corporation’s Finance and Estates Committee and also serves as link Governor and as Safeguarding lead for a local primary academy.
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Mr Neil Thomas
As Chief Executive & Principal, Neil is responsible for the development and delivery of outstanding provision for college apprentices, full time learners aged 16-18 years, full time A level learners aged 16-18 years, full time and part time adult education learners and higher skills learners. Working closely with colleagues, the Chief Executive & Principal will foster a culture of innovation in respect of teaching and learning and curriculum development in all curriculum areas. The Chief Executive & Principal will oversee the day to day operations of the Dudley learning quarter, the Construction Apprenticeship Training Centre and any other delivery centres for the provision detailed above. Working closely with the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Officers, Vice Principal, Assistant Principals and managers across the college, the Chief Executive & Principal will lead on the development and implementation of cross college quality and business improvement strategies. Working alongside the Corporation, Chief Officers and senior colleagues, the Chief Executive & Principal will play a pivotal role in the determination and oversight of the strategic development of Dudley College of Technology, its subsidiaries and associated organisations (including the Dudley Academies Trust). The Chief Executive & Principal will lead on developing and maintaining productive relationships with key stakeholders and will play a significant role in representing the college externally. The Chief Executive & Principal will provide inspirational leadership to the staff and students of Dudley College of Technology. He serves on the Corporation’s Standards Committee and Finance & Estates Committee.
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Mr Tom Westley
Tom was appointed as a member of the Corporation in November 2017. Tom is Chairman of Westley Group Ltd (a foundry group of companies) and Chairman of Westley Plastics Ltd (a specialist nylon casting business). He graduated from Imperial College with a degree in Metallurgy and is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of The Institute of Cast Metals Engineers and a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. Tom sits on the board of the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership and is a board member of The Cast Metals Federation, which is the trade association for the UK foundry industry. Tom is a liveryman within The Worshipful Company of Founders and was Chairman of Castings Technology International Ltd (based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park at Rotherham) until its sale to the University of Sheffield in July 2013. He is also on the board of the West Midlands Combined Authority Growth Company Ltd and was recently appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands. He is a Trustee of Dudley Academies Trust.
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Mr David Whatton (Chair of the Corporation)
David was appointed to the Corporation in March 2015. David retired in June 2014 as the Chief Constable of Cheshire Constabulary. He previously served with the West Midlands and Greater Manchester Police. He has been the Chair of the Cheshire Local Criminal Justice Board, the Chair of a children's charity and a trustee of another charity. He has an M.Sc in Public Sector Management from Aston University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Criminology from Cambridge University. He works as a volunteer with the National Trust and Kids Adventurous Activities. He is Chair of the Corporation’s Standards Committee, and is also a member of the Finance and Estates Committee and Remuneration Committee. He is also a Trustee of Dudley Academies Trust.