Meet the Governors

(CEO of DCG, Member of the Standards Committee, Member of the Finance and Resources Committee, Search and Governance Committee and Higher Education Academic Board)

As the CEO of DCG, Mandie Stravino works in partnership with the Board to shape the direction of the organisation. Mandie is responsible for enactment of the corporate strategy and accountable for the Group’s performance.

In December 2017, Mandie was appointed to the Further Education Principals’ Reference Group. Its purpose is to support, challenge and advise the FE Commissioner in his role and contribute to the department’s policy development work affecting colleges in the FE sector.

Mandie has hosted some high profile visitors including HRH Princess Anne, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Education and the Minister of State for Apprenticeships and Skills.

Mandie holds a variety of non-executive/representative roles, on the following boards: CBI Regional Council, Opportunity Area Board – Derby City, Derby Renaissance Board, Derbyshire Economic Partnership, Contest Gold (CT) Group, Metro Strategy Board – Derby City and Nottingham City, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Collaborative Outreach Programme (DANCOP) Governance Board, Midlands Engine Skills Group and the AoC National Quality Policy Group.

Mandie has a diverse leadership portfolio, in both the private and public sectors, has acquired significant experience in Further Education, both within colleges and an IPT and has a proven track record of leading strategic advancement resulting in financial, service and standards turnaround.

Mandie holds an MBA from Nottingham Business School – NTU and is currently studying at Said Business School – Oxford University, on the Further Education Strategic Leadership Programme.

(Vice Chair, Vice Chair of Search and Governance Committee, Chair of Higher Education Academic Board, Member of the Standards Committee, Member of Finance and Resources Committee, Remuneration Committee) INDEPENDENT GOVERNOR

Phil graduated from Nottingham University in 1981 with a Joint Honours in Chemistry and Biochemistry. He did a PGCE course at Sheffield University before starting his teaching career at Noel-Baker School in 1984 teaching Science. He moved to Lees Brook Community School in 1989 and over the years gained promotion to various leadership roles eventually becoming a Head Teacher in 2009. As Head Teacher he guided Lees Brook from being a Local Authority school to becoming a Trust School and then converting to an academy in 2011.

Phil has been a Lead Practitioner for The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, planning and delivering to school leaders at conferences on the new Secondary Curriculum Design Programme. He was Chair of the SSAT Vocational Specialist Schools Steering Group and sat on the Head Teachers’ Steering Group. He is a Local Leader of Education and a member of the Planning Group for the Derby City Secondary Head Teachers’ Education Improvement Partnership. He has been invited to speak at government seminars and mentors newly appointed Head Teachers.

Term of Office: 01/08/13 – 31/07/24

(Chair of Audit Committee and, Chair of the Remuneration Committee) INDEPENDENT GOVERNOR

Kevin is a Chartered Accountant and Managing Partner of Mabe Allen LLP Chartered Accountants based in Derby and is the Managing Director of the Financial Services business, Midland Financial Solutions Limited. Kevin is also the Managing Director of the Ron Brooks Toyota Motor Group and is currently Chairman of the Finance Committee of the National Toyota Dealer Council.

Kevin has a strong financial and commercial background, coupled with a keen interest in training and developing people for the world of work by developing and enabling through various apprenticeship programmes and professional qualifications in Chartered Accountancy.

Term of Office: 22/03/10 – 31/07/23

(Chair of the Finance and Resources Committee, Finance Link Governor) INDEPENDENT GOVERNOR

Martyn is an experienced Strategic Business Manager, and Director of Marples Financial Plus Ltd, a consultancy company specialising in finance. He is a Chartered Accountant with 25+ years of experience across public, private and charity finance & administration and is married with three children.

Martyn has a strong connection with Derby, having lived and worked in Derby and the surrounding area for most of his career. He is currently the Finance Manager for Derby Diocese and Derby Cathedral, and is a volunteer for Enterprise 4 Education, helping prepare school and college students to be ‘work ready’.

Term of Office: 30/10/17 – 29/10/25

(Member of the Standards Committee) STUDENT GOVERNOR

More about James soon.

Term of Office: 01/07/22 – 31/06/24

(Chair of Governors, Chair of the Search and Governance Committee and Member of the Finance and Resources Committee. Chair of the Curriculum Planning Committee and Member of Curriculum Performance (INDEPENDENT GOVERNOR)

Andrew is a Solicitor, Chairman and Senior Partner of Derby Law Firm Flint Bishop LLP.

Andrew was educated in Matlock before attending the University of Aberdeen where he graduated with a Master of Arts Degree in Politics and International Relations before attending the College of Law, Chester and joining Flint Bishop in 1990. Whilst Andrew has a background in Litigation and Employment Law he now specialises in Licensing acting on behalf of a number of national and regional pub, club, hotel and restaurant operators. Andrew serves as Under Sheriff of Derbyshire, is a trustee of the Hubbub Theatre Company. He is a member of Foundation Derbyshire. He is also a member of the organising committee of the Derbyshire Brain Game. He was until recently a Governor of a large primary school. Andrew was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Derbyshire in 2015.

Term of Office: 11/02/19 – 10/02/25

(Member of Curriculum Performance Committee, Link Governor for Safeguarding and Careers, Link Governor for Broomfield and Little Explorers Nursery) INDEPENDENT GOVERNOR

Term of Office: 01/05/19 – 31/04/25

(Chair of Curriculum Performance Committee, Chair of Joseph Wright Local Education Board), Member of Curriculum Planning Committee and Remuneration Committee) INDEPENDENT GOVERNOR

Alan graduated from the University of Manchester in 1982 with a joint honours degree in history and economics. He also did a PGCE course at Manchester before starting his teaching career in Birkenhead in 1983. Alan taught in schools in Worksop in Nottinghamshire and in Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. He moved to Derby in 2001 on taking up the post of Deputy Headteacher at Thomas Alleyne’s High School in Uttoxeter. In 2005 Alan was appointed the Headteacher of Allestree Woodlands School. As Headteacher Alan guided Woodlands from being a local authority foundation school to becoming an academy in 2012. Under his leadership Woodlands grew in size and he oversaw a complete rebuild of the school which was completed in 2016. Alan retired from Headship in August 2019 after 14 years at the school. Alan chaired the Derby Secondary Headteachers and was a member of the Secondary Strategy Group of the Derby Opportunity Area. Alan was also the Derby City representative for the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and from 2015-2019 was a member of its National Council. He chaired the ASCL Leadership and Governance Committee and was a member of ASCL National Executive for 2018-2019.

Term of Office: 11/11/19 – 10/11/25

(Link Governor for Engineering, Construction and Motor Vehicle and Member of the Audit Committee) INDEPENDENT GOVERNOR

Stuart is the Director of Technical Assurance and Head of the Engineering Fellowship at Rolls-Royce plc, which involves leading and chairing the Technical Audit Team for all programmes across the group, leading on safety assurance and airworthiness assurance. Stuart also leads the Engineering Fellowship – a group of around one hundred of the company’s top Engineering specialists in their respective technical disciplines, both within the company and very often recognised globally within the industry.

Stuart achieved a first class BEng (Hons) Integrated Engineering Degree at Nottingham Trent University in 1994, prior to this studying at Wilmorton College (a predecessor of DCG), both on a part-time day release basis. Stuart is also a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the IMechE.

Prior to his current role, Stuart has performed a number of senior Engineering roles across both the civil and defence aerospace sectors during a 35 year career with Rolls-Royce plc, including Chief Engineer on a number of different engine programmes. Stuart now provides mentor and career coaching for engineers across the business.

Term of Office: 01/12/19 – 01/12/25

(Member of the Higher Education Academic Board), INDEPENDENT GOVERNOR

Jane is Interim Pro Vice-Chancellor – Education at Nottingham Trent University

Term of Office: 01/09/20 – 31/08/24

(Member of the Standards Committee) STAFF GOVERNOR

Term of Office: 01/08/22 – 31/07/23

(Member of Audit Committee)

Term of Office: 01/03/22 to 28/02/24

(Co-opted Governor to the Audit Committee) INDEPENDENT GOVERNOR

Rosslyn is an experienced Audit Manager working for Smith Cooper, a Midlands based accountancy and business advisory firm. She is a qualified chartered accountant with a considerable number of years’ experience in audit and related assurance services, having previously worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers. She is a co-opted member of the audit committee.

Term of Office: 01/12/19 – 31/07/23