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‘Governors put learners at the heart of all decision making. There is an unrelenting focus on improving teaching, learning, learner outcomes, and the student experience.’ [External Governance Review Spring 2023.]

Our Corporation Board is made up of representatives from academia, local businesses, and communities, who volunteer and bring a wealth of talent, experience, wisdom and expertise. In line with Charity Legislation our Corporation Board members are unpaid.

The Corporation Board members have a similar role to that of a Board of Directors. Members of the Corporation (also known as Governors) work together as a Team.

What is Governance?

Responsibilities of The Corporation Board and Governors

Lilian Croston

Lillian Croston

Chair of the Corporation Board

Committee membership: Learning and Quality, Chair of Governance Panel, Remuneration, Student Voice 

Catherine Hill OBE

Catherine Hill OBE

Vice-Chair of the Corporation Board

Committee membership: Learning and Quality, Remuneration

Man stood in front of green foliage wall.

Dr Fazal Dad

Principal and Chief Executive

Committee membership: Policy and Resources, Learning and Quality, Governance Panel

Mark Allanson

Mark Allanson

Committee membership: Chair of Learning and Quality, Governance Panel

Nadia Begum

Nadia Begum

Further Education Student Governor

Committee membership: Audit

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Fran Crossland

Committee membership: Policy and Resources

Head shot of Ram Gupta

Ram Gupta

Committee membership: Learning and Quality

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Chris Johnson

Committee membership: Chair of Audit

Michael Lee

Michael Lee

Business Support Staff Governor 

Committee membership: Policy and Resources

Andrea Machell

Andrea Machell

Committee membership: Learning and Quality

Paul Morris

Paul Morris

Committee membership: Policy and Resources, Remuneration

Ridwaan Omar

Ridwaan Omar

Committee membership: Policy and Resources

Arif Patel

Arif Patel

Committee membership: Chair of Policy and Resources, Student Voice, Governance Panel

Rohan Quinn

Rohan Quinn

Higher Education Student Governor

Committee membership: Learning and Quality

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Claire Shaw

Academic Staff Governor

Committee membership: Learning and Quality

Head shot of Taiyab Sufi

Taiyab Sufi

Committee membership: Audit Committee

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Steve Waggott

Committee membership: Policy and Resources

Dr Iqbal Zubair

Dr Zubair Iqbal

Associate Board Member

Nathan

Nathan Rogan

Associate Board Member

Sarah Horeesorun

Sarah Horeesorun

Director of Governance

Governance at Blackburn College

The Department for Education requires that all Colleges undertake an External Governance Review by July 2025. In its External Governance Review in Spring 2023, an independent reviewer observed many strengths at Blackburn College and that there were no areas of concern. Some notable highlights include:

  • Governance at Blackburn College has improved significantly in recent years and is now characterised by a culture of openness, trust, challenge, and support. A ‘one team’ approach has been developed successfully between the Corporation Board and senior managers. Relationships are strong and governors are proud to be part of the College community.
  • The mix of skills, expertise, and diversity among the membership of the Corporation Board is a key strength.
  • Governors put learners at the heart of all decision making. There is an unrelenting focus on improving teaching, learning, learner outcomes, and the student experience.
  • Financial oversight is equally strong, and the College is maintaining outstanding financial health.
  • Governors understand their role well, and the Corporation Board complies with all statutory and regulatory duties. Underlying processes are robust and ably managed by the Director of Governance.

Here is the External Governance Review Executive Summary

The Corporation Board and its Governors are managed and supported by the Governance Professional. The Director of Governance is responsible for the administrative support to the Corporation Board, with particular reference to ensuring the Corporation Board is operating within its legal framework. The Director of Governance is appointed by the Corporation Board and is answerable directly to the Corporation Board for the duties he or she undertakes in the role of Director of Governance. Sarah Horeesorun is the Director of Governance at Blackburn College and University Centre.

For more information contact sarah.horeesorun@blackburn.ac.uk

Find minutes to their meetings below:

Minutes of the Corporation Board and Committees

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The Instruments and Articles or the Standing Orders documents can be found below:

Instruments and Articles

Standing Orders