Consistently outstanding in all areas and as a leading education provider across the region, Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) are seeking to appoint new members to their Corporation who can bring their professional expertise to support their strategic development and continued success.
One of the country’s highest-performing further education college groups, Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) is seeking to appoint new members to its Corporation who can bring professional expertise, strategic insight and constructive challenge to support the Group’s continued development and success.
Recent growth and development
The Group has expanded significantly in recent years, with the opening of the Stoke and Staffordshire Institute of Technology, the establishment of an NSCG campus in Leek and most recently, the opening of an Adult Education Centre in Stafford.
In 2026/27, NSCG is also leading the development of the Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence Centre (AMTEC) and has been appointed as the Technical and Vocational Excellence (TVE) Hub for the West Midlands – one of only nine regional hubs nationally – supporting colleges and practitioners to prepare for and deliver the next phase of post-16 technical and vocational education reform.
Leadership changes
From January 2027, Shelley Brown, currently Deputy Principal, will become Principal & Chief Executive.
Reflecting NSCG’s significant growth and the increasing complexity of the post-16 landscape, the Group is also strengthening its senior curriculum leadership through the appointment of two Vice Principals with responsibility for the development and quality of provision across our its campuses.
Who we are
Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stafford Colleges merged in 2016 to form the Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group. In 2025, the Group was further extended with the addition of Leek College in the Staffordshire Moorlands. Each of the three campuses is within 30-40 minutes’ travel time of each other and the senior management team divides their time equally between them.
NSCG offers provision in all curriculum areas with the exception of land-based provision. Around 72% of enrolments are at Level 3, including around 1,200 students studying on A Level programmes and 850 studying T Levels, with the remainder studying a range of principally BTEC vocational and skills programmes.
More widely, the College has around 1,800 apprentices undertaking off-the-job training at the College and around 350 students studying HE programmes, predominantly based at the Stoke and Staffordshire Institute of Technology in Stafford (SoTSIOT).
Provision across all of these areas is sector-leading. NSCG is the only General Further Education or Tertiary College to receive ‘Outstanding’ grades in all areas of its activity in successive inspections (2019 and 2024). In 2024/25, NSCG was ranked among the top three colleges nationally for its learner-responsive and employer-responsive achievement rates; its average points score on A level and Applied General courses; and in the top 10 for progress across all areas of provision.
In summer 2026, exam results for A Levels, T Levels, Applied Generals and GCSEs exceeded national rates for all Colleges (including 16-19 academies).
The maintenance of these sector-leading levels of performance is of critical importance to the College and members of the Corporation.
The College is focused on much more than exam success. Working in the context of significant levels of deprivation and educational underperformance at Key Stage 4 across large areas of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, the College places a huge focus on the development of students’ wider skills to maximise their prospects for progression to further study or future employment.
The College has enthusiastically embraced the development of T Levels and is one of the largest providers nationally. Despite this, it remains cautious about the suitability of the T Level pathway for all students. The College is working closely with the DfE and Government bodies on the further development of the T Level qualification and on the introduction of the new V Levels.
About the roles
The Corporation sets the strategic direction of the organisation and provides support and constructive challenge, holding the Principal & Chief Executive and other senior leaders accountable for the effective management of the Group and the execution of its strategy.
Governors are responsible for the financial solvency of the institution, the proper use of public funds, sound governance and oversight of the quality of education and training.
NSCG’s Governors bring to the table a broad range of professional expertise, experience and perspectives, with a strong shared commitment to the organisation’s mission, its students and the communities it serves; and a willingness to provide both support and constructive challenge to its senior leaders.
Board renewal and succession
As a number of long-serving Governors complete their terms of office, including the Chair, Simon Leech, who will stand down in December 2026, NSCG is taking the opportunity to continue the planned renewal of our Corporation, building on the strength of the existing Board by introducing new expertise, experience and perspectives to help guide NSCG through its next phase of development.
Who we are looking for
This is a significant opportunity to join an ambitious and committed Corporation at an important point in NSCG’s development. Successful candidates will be those who share NSCG’s ambition and can bring strategic thinking, independent judgement and constructive challenge.
Alongside relevant professional expertise, NSCG is looking for people who can think strategically, work collaboratively, ask thoughtful and challenging questions and maintain a clear focus on the interests of students and the communities the organisation serves.
Corporation members are assigned to an associated committee, further details below, allowing them to genuinely have an impact on the success of NSCG, the achievements of its students and the future prosperity of its local communities.
This is an exciting time for NSCG with ongoing capital development, significant student growth and a forward-looking strategy, all of which ensure that NSCG continues to make a demonstrable and positive contribution to the region it serves.
Successful applicants will need passion and commitment, underpinned by a track record of significant expertise and impactful leadership that would be relevant in relation to the following committees.
Audit Committee
Audit Committee members need expertise and experience gained in the areas highlighted below:
- Qualified senior audit professionals.
- Senior risk and compliance professionals.
- Senior professionals with expertise in data protection and/or cyber security.
Finance & General Purposes Committee
Corporation members with expertise in the areas below will be asked to join the Finance & General Purposes Committee:
- Qualified, senior finance professionals.
- Professionals working in senior operations roles which include leadership of key functions such as HR/People and Estates.
- Qualified legal professionals.
Education & Standards Committee
Strategic leaders from across the education sector with experience gained through senior leadership within secondary, further or higher education, or through significant leadership responsibility for curriculum and quality, safeguarding or SEND will be asked to join the Education & Standards Committee.
Previous governance experience
Whilst previous governance experience is not essential, candidates will need to demonstrate an understanding of good governance and the responsibilities associated with serving on a non-executive Board.
Candidates should be able to apply their specialist knowledge and expertise to strategic discussions and decision-making, work constructively as part of a non-executive team and exercise independent judgement. Governors are expected to act fairly and impartially and demonstrate a clear commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion.
Expectation and time commitment
Successful candidates will be appointed on the basis of a four-year term of office.
The appointed candidates will be expected to attend four Corporation meetings each year along with two away days. The frequency of our committee meetings varies as follows:
- Audit committee: three meetings per year.
- Finance and General Purposes committee: three meetings per year.
- Education and Standards committee: three meetings per year.
Every effort is made for meetings to be held in person as this allows governors to experience the vibrant college atmosphere whilst on site. Governors usually dedicate an average of 10 hours per month to their role, which includes meeting preparation, attendance and follow-up with the opportunity for governors to dedicate additional time to the College, visiting sites, engaging with staff and students, and seeing first-hand the impact of the actions taken.
All Governors are supported throughout their terms of office. Induction and training opportunities are available, as well as the invitation to attend a range of exciting events and ceremonies throughout the year. This type of engagement by members of the Board with the wider college community is both encouraged and supported, allowing Governors to fully appreciate the vibrancy, inclusivity and success of the College.
Diversity
Applications are welcomed from people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. NSCG is committed to continuing to develop a Board that reflects the communities it serves and benefits from diversity of thought and experience.
Peridot Partners and NSCG are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and all staff and volunteers are expected 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 consultant at Peridot Partners:
Dan Baxter | dan@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07939 994524
Welcome from the Principal & CEO
Thank you for your interest in joining the Board of Governors at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG).
As one of the highest-performing general further education college groups in the country – rated ‘Outstanding’ across all areas by Ofsted – NSCG is a place where students come first. Every year, we serve more than 12,000 learners across Staffordshire and beyond, equipping them with the skills, confidence and qualifications needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.
But what matters most to us is the difference we make. Success at NSCG is not measured only in qualifications and results, but in the confidence we build, the opportunities we create and the futures we help to shape.
Our vision is anchored in our strategic plan, ‘Futures – Without Limits’. It reflects our belief that education should empower individuals to break down barriers, unlock their full potential and shape a prosperous future for themselves, their local communities and our regional economy.
This is an exciting time to join NSCG. The Group has grown significantly across Newcastle, Stafford and Leek and we continue to invest in our curriculum, people and estate. Alongside maintaining the exceptional standards our students deserve, we are responding to major changes in post-16 education and skills, strengthening our leadership in technical and vocational education and deepening our work with employers and partners.
Achieving this vision requires strong, insightful leadership, not only from our senior leadership and dedicated staff team, but crucially from our Board of Governors.
Governance at NSCG is active, strategic and deeply rewarding. Our Governors help shape our strategic direction, provide support and constructive challenge, bring valuable external insight and expertise, and hold me and the senior leadership team to account for delivering our ambitions.
We welcome expressions of interest from individuals with diverse professional backgrounds, lived experiences and strategic perspectives. Previous governance or education experience is not essential. What matters is that you bring sound judgement, integrity, curiosity, the confidence to challenge constructively and a genuine commitment to our students, communities and the values of NSCG.
We are working in partnership with Peridot Partners to recruit forward-thinking Governors who share our dedication to educational excellence and social mobility.
I encourage you to explore the candidate pack, learn more about our strategic priorities and reach out to Peridot for an informal discussion.
Becoming a Governor at NSCG is a significant commitment, but it is also an opportunity to make a tangible contribution to the future of our organisation and the thousands of learners, employers and communities we serve.
Thank you for considering how you could contribute to NSCG’s next chapter and help us continue to create futures without limits. I look forward to hearing from you.
Shelley Brown
Principal & CEO, NSCG
About us
The wider college structure
The senior management team currently comprises the following roles:
- Principal & Chief Executive – Shelley Brown (from January 2027)
- Chief Financial & Operations Officer – Debbie Torjussen
- Vice Principal: Stafford Campus & Adult Provision – Lesley Morrey
- Vice Principal: Employer Partnerships, IoT & HE – Georgina Barnard
- Vice Principal: Communications, Staff & Student Services – Ian Hookway
All members of the team hold responsibilities and divide their time across the Group as a whole.
In total, the College employs around 1,100 staff and has an annual turnover of £70m+. Financial health has been outstanding for many years. Facilities for teaching & learning are amongst the best available anywhere in the country – since 2021 c£75m has been invested in the development of new and the renovation of existing facilities to ensure they match our ambition for a future without limits.
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the relevant Role Description and Person Specification from the list below.
To formally apply for the Finance & General Purpose role, please submit a CV and supporting statement (ideally a maximum of 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outline 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 is emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application: NSCG — Governors – Finance & General Purpose, Education & Standards or Audit” 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 consultant at Peridot Partners:
Dan Baxter | dan@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07939 994524
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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. Friday 6th November 2026
Candidates informed of outcome: Friday 13th November 2026
Interviews: Friday 20th November 2026
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and NSCG 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.
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