As Chair of the Education Committee, you will play a pivotal role in helping shape educational excellence across EKC Group.
Who we are
East Kent Colleges Group (EKC Group) is one of the largest and most influential education and skills organisations in the South East, serving thousands of learners and working closely with employers, civic leaders and communities across Kent. The Group plays a critical role in supporting economic growth, social mobility and workforce development through the delivery of high-quality education, training and skills provision.
With a mission centred on transforming lives through learning, EKC Group provides a diverse range of educational opportunities, from further and higher education to adult learning, apprenticeships and professional training. Its work is shaped by a strong commitment to ensuring that learners gain the knowledge, skills and experiences needed to progress successfully into employment, higher study and fulfilling careers.
As a leading anchor institution within the region, EKC Group works in partnership with businesses, industry bodies and public sector organisations to respond to evolving skills needs and support regional priorities. This focus on employer engagement and curriculum relevance helps ensure that provision remains aligned to current and future labour market demand.
The Group is committed to educational excellence, innovation and continuous improvement. Through its governance framework, strategic leadership and dedicated staff, EKC Group seeks to deliver outstanding learner experiences, raise aspirations and create positive outcomes for individuals, employers and communities alike
At a time of significant change across the education and skills landscape, EKC Group continues to help shape a highly skilled, productive and inclusive economy for East Kent and beyond. The Chair of the Education Committee will therefore have an important opportunity to contribute to the strategic oversight of educational quality and learner success within an organisation that makes a profound difference to the region it serves.
About the role
As Chair of the Education Committee, you will play a pivotal role in shaping educational excellence across EKC Group. Reporting to the Board and working closely with fellow governors and senior leaders, you will provide strategic leadership and oversight of educational performance, quality and learner outcomes across the organisation.
The Education Committee is responsible for scrutinising educational performance and ensuring that learners receive the highest quality experience possible. As Chair, you will lead the committee in providing robust assurance to the Board, monitoring progress against strategic objectives, reviewing key performance indicators, and ensuring effective quality improvement activities are delivering tangible impact.
You will guide discussions that examine learner achievement, progress, retention, attendance and destination outcomes, while maintaining a clear focus on continuous improvement and accountability. The role also involves overseeing curriculum quality and ensuring provision remains relevant and responsive to local, regional and national skills needs.
This is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the future of education and skills development within the communities we serve. By bringing independent challenge, strategic insight and strong leadership, you will help support the Group’s ambition to deliver outstanding outcomes for learners and employers.
Who we are looking for
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader who is passionate about education, learner success and continuous improvement. Whether your background is in education, training, business, the public sector or another complex organisation, you will bring substantial leadership experience and a strong understanding of governance and organisational performance.
You will have experience of operating at board or senior strategic level and be confident in analysing performance information, questioning effectively and using evidence to support sound decision-making. You will be able to interpret complex data, identify areas of risk and opportunity, and ensure that appropriate assurance and accountability mechanisms are in place.
As an effective chair, you will foster inclusive and constructive discussion, enabling a culture where support and challenge go hand in hand.
You will possess excellent communication and influencing skills, the ability to build strong relationships, and the confidence to challenge appropriately while maintaining a collaborative approach.
We are particularly interested in candidates who demonstrate integrity, independence of thought and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. A strong interest in educational quality, skills development and improving outcomes for learners is essential. Knowledge of the further education sector, curriculum quality, safeguarding or the evolving skills landscape would be advantageous but is not essential.
Above all, we are looking for someone who shares our commitment to educational excellence and who can help ensure the Group continues to deliver high-quality learning experiences that meet the needs of learners, employers and the communities we serve.
The time commitment for the role will be up to 10 hours per month.
Why this governance role matters.
The Chair of the Education Committee will join the Group at an exciting point in its development. The Board has set an ambitious agenda focused on educational excellence, learner success, community impact and economic growth. The Education Committee provides critical oversight of educational performance and quality, ensuring that the Group continues to deliver against its strategic ambitions while maintaining its strong focus on outcomes for learners.
Peridot Partners and East Kent College Group are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.
To view the role description and person specification, please go to the ‘How to Apply’ tab above, fill in your details and download the candidate pack.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Sarah Atkins-Boal | sarahs@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07841 017043
Shaun Eden | shaun@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07951 509128
About us
East Kent Colleges Group (EKC Group) is one of the largest further education organisations in England, employing more than 1,500 staff and delivering education and training to over 12,000 students each year. Through its family of six colleges, EKC Training and its partnership with EKC Schools Trust, the Group provides a comprehensive education and skills offer that supports learners of all ages, employers and communities across East Kent.
The Group’s vision is “for ambitions in life and work to be achieved through outstanding education and skills”, underpinned by a mission to “empower our communities to develop their economic and social prosperity in a rapidly changing world.” Its focus extends beyond education delivery to creating lasting economic and social impact for the communities it serves.
Recognised as a civic leader within the region, EKC Group works closely with employers, local authorities, public sector partners and community organisations to address skills shortages, increase social mobility and support economic growth.
The Group currently works with more than 2,300 businesses to develop workforce capability, strengthen talent pipelines and respond to emerging industry needs.
Strategic direction 2025-2029
The Group’s 2025-2029 Strategic Plan builds on a period of significant organisational success, including achieving an Outstanding Ofsted judgement, delivering major capital investment projects and expanding its educational footprint across East Kent.
The new strategy focuses on strengthening organisational resilience whilst responding to changing economic, technological and policy environments.
The plan is organised around five strategic goals:
- Expanding educational opportunity and excellence.
- Developing Centres of Excellence in priority sectors.
- Growing adult learning and higher education provision.
- Strengthening technical education pathways through EKC Schools Trust.
- Expanding provision for young people, including SEND and alternative provision.
- Increasing accessibility and inclusion across all communities.
- Preparing learners for the future.
- Embedding employability, digital capability, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship and sustainability throughout the curriculum.
- Ensuring employers are central to curriculum design and delivery.
- Enhancing the student experience and strengthening learner voice.
- Equipping learners with the skills, confidence and independence required for life and work.
- Driving business growth and innovation.
- Developing innovation hubs and specialist business support services.
- Creating stronger partnerships with employers and industry.
- Delivering skills solutions that support productivity, workforce development and major regional investment opportunities.
- Positioning the Group as a key contributor to economic growth across Kent.
- Investing in people.
- Recruiting and retaining outstanding staff.
- Developing future leaders and enhancing career progression opportunities.
- Further strengthening an inclusive and high-performing organisational culture.
- Becoming an employer of choice within the education sector.
- Delivering sustainable infrastructure.
- Investing in modern, industry-standard learning environments.
- Delivering the Group’s digital transformation strategy.
- Supporting sustainability and carbon reduction objectives.
- Ensuring facilities and technology continue to meet the needs of learners, employers and communities.
A strong focus on partnerships and civic leadership.
Partnership working sits at the heart of EKC Group’s approach. The organisation collaborates extensively with local and national stakeholders, including employers, local authorities, economic development bodies, schools, higher education institutions and policy makers.
These partnerships ensure that the Group’s curriculum and investment priorities are aligned with local economic needs and future workforce demands.
As one of East Kent’s largest employers and a significant regional anchor institution, EKC Group is committed to supporting sustainable growth, promoting social mobility and creating opportunities that enable individuals, businesses and communities to thrive.
Through education, skills development and civic leadership, the Group continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future prosperity of East Kent.
Accessibility information
East Kent Colleges Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all members of our communities. We are particularly keen to increase the diversity of our staff body and encourage applications from candidates where there is underrepresentation in our workforce.
We are proud to hold the Positive About Disability Award and are a Disability Confident Employer. This confirms our commitment to interviewing all applicants who declare that they have a disability and who meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification. With any successful candidate, we will explore any reasonable adjustments to a role due to health needs or disability.
Similarly, we have a commitment to Care Leavers (Care Covenant Pledge) and to current or previous Armed Forces personnel (Armed Forces Covenant Pledge), with a commitment to interview applicants who meet the position’s essential criteria and who have declared this on their application.
We welcome applications from anyone wishing to work flexibly and those considering a return to work from a career break.
We offer the following amenities:
- Step free access to the building, all key meeting rooms and bathrooms, and an accessible workstation
- Accessibility dogs are welcome
- Interviews can be held in meeting rooms that support hearing loops
- Papers and materials can be presented in different formats
Further information:
- Our 6 colleges are all accessible to different degrees. Not all buildings are step-free; however, key meeting rooms and toilets are accessible.
- We have BSL staff who could support in an interview if required.
- We are a Disability Confident Level 3 status Employer.
- We have a Disability staff network group in place.
- We have a Candidate Charter in place and application guidance.
To arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Sarah Atkins-Boal | sarahs@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07841 017043
Shaun Eden | shaun@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07951 509128
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the Application Form and Role Description and Person Specification.
To formally apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement (ideally maximum 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification, including your interest and motivation in applying for this position.
Please include your home address, contact email and mobile.
Please ensure that your application and completed application form are emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application: East Kent College Group — Chair of the Education Committee” into the subject field. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2-3 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact our admin team.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Sarah Atkins-Boal | sarahs@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07841 017043
Shaun Eden | shaun@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07951 509128
As a sector-leading executive search consultancy, we know the importance of creating recruitment processes that are fair, inclusive and free from bias. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a process that values differences.
If you require any job information in an alternative format (e.g. large print), please contact the lead consultant. Please also let us know if you would like to submit your application in an alternative format.
Applicants with disabilities are welcome to contact us in confidence at any stage of the recruitment process to discuss any reasonable adjustments or support that may be required to ensure fair and equal participation.
Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.
Timetable
Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 7th September 2026
Candidates informed of outcome: Thursday 17th September 2026
Interviews: w/c Monday 21st September 2026
We are in the process of confirming interview dates. Once confirmed, we will update the site and contact those who have applied.
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and East Kent College Group are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.
The information will be treated confidentially and anonymously and will help us to support our commitment to fair recruitment practice. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 launched on 25 May 2018.
The information provided does not form part of the decision-making process and will not affect your application. Learn more about why we collect this data here.
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