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Governance

The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group has a Governing Body which sets the Group’s strategy, culture and values. The Governing Body is called the Group Board. This Board works with the Executive Team and managers across the three College operations in Castleford, Selby and Wakefield to focus on the strategic priorities for the Group. It has a dual responsibility to both hold the Senior Managers to account whilst also having a key support role.

The Board has oversight of financial performance and College activities and results but is not involved in the day to day operations of the Group, which are the responsibility of the Principal and her Executive Team.

The Board operates within the legislative framework of the Further and Higher Education Act and the Education (Government of Further Education Colleges) Regulations 1992. It also has requirements placed on it by the Department for Education (DfE) and the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).

Group photo of the governing board

Following an open and transparent public consultation process, I’m delighted to say that learners, staff, employers, partners and other stakeholders of both Colleges have responded extremely positively to all of our plan to merge as time has moved on!
Andrew McConnell
Chair of Governors

The Board’s Responsibilities

The Board comprises up to 20 members and includes students, staff and independent governors recruited for their skills, expertise, community and business links. The majority of its members live, work, or have links within the varied communities that the Group’s Colleges serve.

As an inclusive Board, applications are welcomed from individuals of all ages, cultural backgrounds and beliefs. Governors may have experience in business, community or social work with charities, financial or legal practice, or even be an entrepreneur. What is important is that all Governors must be committed to making the Group a place to improve the lives of all people in the communities we serve. The Board determines its membership within the restraints which are clearly set out in the Instrument and Articles of Government.

The responsibilities of the Board are laid out in the Articles and cover key areas of the Group’s activity including:

  • the determination of the educational character and mission of the institution and the oversight of its activities;
  • publishing arrangements for obtaining the views of staff and students on the determination and periodic review of the educational character and mission of the institution and the oversight of its activities;
  • approving the Quality Strategy of the organisation;
  • the effective and efficient use of resources, the solvency of the institution and the Corporation and for safeguarding their assets;
  • approving annual estimates of income and expenditure;
  • the appointment, grading, pay and conditions of service of the holders of senior posts;
  • setting a framework for the pay and conditions of service of all other staff.

As a Board of Governors, we take great pride in the Group’s ethos of treating every student as an individual and striving to meet their needs not just academically, but personally and socially; regardless of their starting point in life. The education landscape is constantly changing and we support the Group in adapting to those changes for the benefit of its students, staff and the communities we serve.

The Group Board is supported by three Local College Boards at Castleford, Selby and Wakefield. The Local Board’s key role is to focus on stakeholders, including students, staff, employers, regional bodies and the needs of each local community. Membership of each board will reflect this priority.

Andrew McConnell
Chair of Governors

The support of our stakeholders is crucial as we progress with our exciting plans to become one organisation. Together, we are able to combine our strengths, share best practices and enhance our offering, helping to meet the education and skills demands of our local communities and the wider region at what is a critical time, as we work to rebuild the economy following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Andrew McConnell
Chair of Governors

Downloads

Instrument of Government
155KB · Adobe Acrobat

Standing Orders
97KB · Adobe Acrobat

The Governing Body

Photo of Andrew McConnell OBE

Andrew McConnell OBE

Chair of Governors

Photo of Sam Wright

Sam Wright

Principal & CEO

Photo of Richard Stiff

Richard Stiff

Chair of the Local College Board Selby

Photo of Dmitry Fedotov

Dmitry Fedotov

Vice Chair

Photo of David Powell

David Powell

Photo of Janet Waggott

Janet Waggott

Photo of Martyn Shaw

Martyn Shaw

Photo of Julian Harrison

Julian Harrison

Photo of Vijay Teeluck

Vijay Teeluck

Independent Member

Photo of Claire Corneille

Claire Corneille

Independent Member

Photo of Nigel Brook

Nigel Brook

Independent Member

Photo of Jayne King

Jayne King

Independent Member

Photo of Yasmin Ayub

Yasmin Ayub

Staff Governor

Photo of Ben Porter

Ben Porter

Staff Governor

Photo of Ruth Baxter

Ruth Baxter

Staff Governor

Photo of Andrew McConnell OBE

Andrew McConnell OBE

Chair of Governors

Photo of Sam Wright

Sam Wright

Principal & CEO

Photo of Richard Stiff

Richard Stiff

Chair of the Local College Board Selby

Photo of Dmitry Fedotov

Dmitry Fedotov

Vice Chair

Photo of David Powell

David Powell

Photo of Janet Waggott

Janet Waggott

Photo of Martyn Shaw

Martyn Shaw

Photo of Julian Harrison

Julian Harrison

Photo of Vijay Teeluck

Vijay Teeluck

Independent Member

Photo of Claire Corneille

Claire Corneille

Independent Member

Photo of Nigel Brook

Nigel Brook

Independent Member

Photo of Jayne King

Jayne King

Independent Member

Photo of Yasmin Ayub

Yasmin Ayub

Staff Governor

Photo of Ben Porter

Ben Porter

Staff Governor

Photo of Ruth Baxter

Ruth Baxter

Staff Governor

Photo of Andrew McConnell OBE

Andrew McConnell OBE

Chair of Governors

Photo of Sam Wright

Sam Wright

Principal & CEO

Photo of Richard Stiff

Richard Stiff

Chair of the Local College Board Selby

Photo of Dmitry Fedotov

Dmitry Fedotov

Vice Chair

Photo of Richard Stiff

Richard Stiff

Chair of the Local College Board Selby

Photo of Dmitry Fedotov

Dmitry Fedotov

Vice Chair

Photo of Martyn Shaw

Martyn Shaw

Photo of Julian Harrison

Julian Harrison

Photo of Vijay Teeluck

Vijay Teeluck

Independent Member

Photo of Claire Corneille

Claire Corneille

Independent Member

Photo of Nigel Brook

Nigel Brook

Independent Member

Photo of Jayne King

Jayne King

Independent Member

Photo of Yasmin Ayub

Yasmin Ayub

Staff Governor

Photo of Ben Porter

Ben Porter

Staff Governor

Photo of Ruth Baxter

Ruth Baxter

Staff Governor

Governance Arrangements

The Governing Body conducts its work through full Board meetings which are held approximately six times a year and through the following committees.

Board Committees

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee shall advise the Corporation of the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group on the adequacy and effectiveness of the Group’s assurance framework. In particular, the Committee shall advise and support the Corporation in fulfilling its roles and responsibilities, including its responsibility for providing the assurances required in the Statement of Corporate Governance and Internal Control in the annual accounts.

Committee members

  • Nigel Brook (Chair)
  • Ian Parsons
  • Martyn Shaw
  • Richard Stiff

Downloads

Audit Committee Terms of Reference
211KB · Adobe Acrobat

Curriculum & Quality Committee

The Curriculum and Quality Committee has overall responsibility for assuring the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group’s quality improvement programmes deliver an exceptional quality of education and excellent learner experience for all students.

Committee members

  • David Powell (Chair)
  • Ruth Baxter
  • Dmitry Fedotov
  • Gordon McAlpine
  • Julian Harrison
  • Kayleigh Hampton
  • Ben Porter
  • Vijay Teeluck

Downloads

Curriculum & Quality Committee Terms of Reference
229KB · Adobe Acrobat

Finance, People & Resources Committee

The Finance & Resources Committee advises the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group on any matters relating to finance and assets/liabilities, including making recommendations to the Corporation.

Committee members

  • Neil Warren (Chair)
  • Andrew McConnell
  • Claire Corneille
  • Michael Clarke

Downloads

Finance & Resources Committee Terms of Reference
331KB · Adobe Acrobat

Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee reviews and determines the Corporation’s policy on the terms and conditions of employment of senior staff.

Committee members

  • Claire Corneille (Chair)
  • Dmitry Fedotov
  • Andrew McConnell
  • Janet Waggott

Downloads

Remuneration Committee Terms of Reference
435KB · Adobe Acrobat

Search & Governance Committee

The Remuneration Committee makes recommendations to the Corporation board on the structure, composition and balance of the Corporation group board, and its committees and the local governing boards at Castleford, Selby and Wakefield.

Committee members

  • Andrew McConnell (Chair)
  • Dmitry Fedotov (Vice Chair)
  • Richard Stiff
  • Sam Wright

Downloads

Search & Governance Committee Terms of Reference
372KB · Adobe Acrobat

Local College Board

Each college site has a Local College Board to oversee activities of the local college. It shall advise the Corporation of the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group. It is expected to act in accordance with the funding agreements and legal obligations of the Corporation, as well as its Terms of Reference and the Scheme of Delegation.

Downloads

Local College Board Terms of Reference
171KB · Adobe Acrobat

Board Meeting Minutes

Name Filesize Last Modified
2022.10.04 - Minutes - Group Board.pdf 417.23 kb Feb 14, 2023
2022.09.29 - Minutes - Group Board.pdf 176.21 kb Feb 14, 2023
2022.07.05 - Minutes - Group Board.pdf 292.46 kb Oct 26, 2022
2022.04.05 - Minutes - Group Board.pdf 236.93 kb Oct 26, 2022
2022.03.10 - Minutes - Group Board.pdf 142.55 kb Oct 26, 2022

Governors’ Declaration of Interests

Name of Governor Date Joined Nature of Interest Declaration in Respect of Related Party
Yasmin Ayub October 2020

Employment: Wakefield College 2014

Partners Owns Sports Coaching company
Ruth Baxter March 2022

Employment: Selby College

Membership: National Education Union

None
Claire Corneille October 2020 None None
Dmitry Fedotov
(Vice Chair)
July 2017

Employment: The Youth Association 2009

None
Kayleigh Hampton October 2021 None None
Julian Harrison October 2022

Employment: Delta Academies Trust 2018

Membership: Association of School & College Leaders

None
Samuel Marshall March 2022

Employment: WS Bentley Growers 2021

None
Andrew McConnell
(Chair)
October 2006

Directorship: Higher Education Statistics Agency Ltd 2007

Directorship: Education and Training Foundation 2019

Directorship: Wakefield District Housing 2020

Membership: Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) 1978

Membership: Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA) 2014

Membership: Chartered Companion of the Chartered Management Institute (CCMI)2017

None
Ben Porter January 2021

Employment: Wakefield College 2017

None
David Powell October 2020

Employment: Huddersfield University 2009

Self Employment: David Powell Educational Consultant Limited 2021

None
Nigel Brook October 2022 - -
Jayne King October 2022 - -
Richard Stiff March 2022

Employment: Angus Council 2017

Employment: Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust

Non-executive Director: Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust

Director: NCER CIC

Trustee & Director: TCV

Director: Richard Stiff Consulting

Membership: Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS)

Membership: Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE)

Member/Fellow: Royal Society of Arts

Associate: Local Governemnt Information Unit (LGIU)

Trustee: Old Burians Charitable Trust

None
Martyn Shaw April 2020

Employment: Wakefield District Housing 2014

Non-executive Director: Nottingham City Homes 2021

Membership:Chartered Institute of Housing

Membership:Chartered Institute of Building

None
Vijay Teeluck March 2022

Employment: Sheffield Hallam University 2020

Membership: Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA)

Membership: Londdon Mathematical Soiety

Membership: Royal Institute

None
Janet Waggott March 2022

Employment: Selby District Council

Employment: NYCC

Membership: Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE)

None
Neil Warren July 2020

Employment: Wakefield Council 2017

Directorship: Bridge Homes Ltd 2019

Membership: Association of Chartered Certified Accountants 1997

None
Sam Wright March 2011

Employment: Wakefield College

Director: West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges

Other: Wakefield Enterprise Partnership

Other: Local Services Board

Other: Children, Young People & Families Board

Other: West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges

Other: Learning City & District Board

None

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