Leadership

Peter Tavernor, chief executive

Peter Tavernor has been a college principal for more than 13 years, and has been active in education and public service throughout his life. In his previous role as principal of MANCAT he made it his mission to address poor local recruitment and poor educational outcomes in Manchester. As principal of The Manchester College, he created a strong further education college with a financial surplus, exceptional buildings and impressive educational outcomes.

Under his leadership, the college has had a major impact on levels of participation in education in Manchester and has delivered one of the highest value added scores nationally. His vision for The Manchester College is that it should work in local partnerships, particularly with high schools, to meet neighbourhood needs, whilst at the same time providing excellent skills programmes on a regional and national basis.

Peter’s visionary leadership has created a college staff whose shared vision is to target local people of all ages and to encourage them to aspire to achieve. In addition, under his direction the college has prioritised employer responsiveness and is now one of the most successful colleges in the country for employer engagement.

Nationally, Peter has made an impact with his contribution to the not in employment, education or training (NEET) agenda and through his highly influential role on the DfES committee to implement EMAs. His views on the future of further education and its role in economic and social change are regularly sought by others.

Peter also chairs the Greater Manchester Principals Group and is an active member of the 157 Group of colleges and the Manchester Skills Board.

Jack Carney, principal

Jack is a longstanding member of the principalship with responsibility for the college’s guidance and youth support services, the development of the 14-19 curriculum and the Manchester Academies Programmes. He has strategic responsibility for the college's review and evaluation processes. This involves chairship of the principalship's Quality Improvement Group and performance reports such as self assessment and development plans. He played a significant role in setting up the GQAL awarding body in 2005. This enabled the college to introduce the highly successful PEARL qualification designed to develop the personal, social and employability skills of young people. Jack was recently appointed to the North West Sports Board for his sports, business and education expertise and experience and, as such, plays a key role in growing participation in community sport in the region.

Barbara Forshaw, deputy principal

Barbara has been a principalship member for 13 years and leads on staffing matters as well as deputising for the principal. She has prioritised the building of staff skills and facilitating effective career progression. She has created the impetus for the highly regarded inclusive approach and integrated Skills for Life work across the college. Her background in working with students with emotional and behavioural difficulties, first as a teacher, then as a headteacher, has nurtured her strong interest in behavioural psychology. Her expertise and experience have enabled her to take the lead in culture in The Manchester College. The work in the college in partnership with The Pacific Institute has earned national acclaim.

Andrew Harrison, senior vice principal, finance director

Andrew was appointed director of finance in 2007, having previously held an equivalent post at Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College. He gained extensive experience of the FE sector as the director of finance and corporate services at LSC Greater Manchester, working with all the Greater Manchester colleges on finance, merger and property issues. At The Manchester College, Andrew has responsibility for financial reporting, advising on statutory and legal requirements and leading on non-mainstream income. Andrew trained with the Audit Commission and is a CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy) qualified accountant with 16 years’ post-qualification experience.

Peter Cox, vice principal

Peter is vice principal for offender learning with responsibility for strategic development and ensuring effective contract performance. With a background in business development and as a member of the CIPD, he has 14 years’ experience of working in offender learning and has played a key role in its recent growth. The college now manages offender learning and skills in around 66% of the prison estate in England. Peter’s strengths lie in driving forward strategic development, nurturing a national offender learning culture and developing provision that impacts positively on all learners.

David Patterson, vice principal

David has a strong track record in teaching, curriculum development and the management of vocational education – both in the UK and in capacity building projects overseas. He now provides strategic leadership of the college's work with adults and employed learners. This role includes the continued re-focusing of the college's provision in line with local and national priorities (including the successful implementation of Train to Gain) and the establishment and maintenance of the college's national lead in generating fee income from employers.

David originally graduated in econometrics and also has an MPhil in competence-based education from Manchester. He is a CBI Regional Council member for the north west.

Sue Hart, vice principal

Sue joined the further education sector 19 years ago as an early years tutor and has progressed through the college to become vice principal for employer responsiveness. She has responsibility for collaborative working in key areas, including:

• managing NHS contracts,
• running four nurseries with Surestart,
• developing training programmes for Greater Manchester Police (GMP),
• helping Manchester City Council fulfil its Skills Pledge, and
• establishing Manchester Internships for 16-19 year olds.

Sue is currently supporting the Residents Wages Project which will address ways of increasing the incomes of residents through training and other means.

Anne Bourner, vice principal

Originally graduating as a geologist, from Manchester University, Anne has taught in engineering, health and social care and music and has managed curriculum development in vocational education through various Government initiatives. As vice principal responsible for 14-19 provision, Anne brings a diverse and practical knowledge of curriculum and educational methodology to support tutors working with the younger students in the college. There are eight main locations where 14-19 learners are accommodated by the college. Each will provide a slightly different student experience. The VP responsibility is to ensure the continuing high quality of that experience and that learners have access to qualifications that meet their needs and aspirations.

Teresa Farran, vice principal

Following the completion of her first degree in mathematics at Lancaster, Teresa first came to Manchester to undertake a Masters in Computing and Mathematics. Following this, and some time spent as a Programmer/Systems Analyst, she began teaching mathematics and ICT / computing in FE, originally at North Trafford and then at Bolton Sixth Form. She has taught from Level 1 to A level. Subsequently she delivered initial teacher training at John Moores University in Liverpool. Most recently she was Assistant Principal Curriculum and Quality at the Pendleton Centre, part of Salford City College. She joins us as a vice principal responsible for 14-19 provision. This role will also include a strategic lead in eLearning and ILT. She has a PhD in the use of ILT for supporting learning of basic mathematics.

Paul Carter, vice principal

Paul is an experienced senior leader from the education and public sector. Earlier in his career he was responsible for leading the apprentice and adult trade training function for the RAF; he has also been the principal of a further education college. He has held a number of senior positions within local authorities including directorships of education and enterprise, and partnerships. In the private sector Paul was managing director of the HBS/Mouchel Education and Children's Services group of businesses, and a director with the Place Group, during which time he operated as the programme director for the Manchester Academies Programme. On completion of the project Paul was appointed as the education director of PfS and then moved on to become a vice principal at The Manchester College with particular responsibilities for schools, academies and a range of strategic partnerships at national, regional and local level. Paul works closely with a range of national agencies including the DfE, Studio Schools Trust, Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and the CBI.

Marina Parha, vice principal

A politics and public administration graduate, Marina originally pursued a career in the private sector developing and leading a variety of successful projects. Eventually, education won her over and she completed further studies in teaching, philosophy and ethics. Over the years she has gained a wealth of experience in classroom delivery and curriculum development for learners of varying ages, levels and backgrounds and has successfully led teams whose work has been recognised to be outstanding. Marina leads on curriculum progression and higher education at the college. She takes a keen interest in innovative approaches to education, nurturing a culture of continuous improvement and widening participation.

Julie Milad, vice principal

Julie gained a psychology degree, graduating from Leicester University. She originally pursued a career in clinical psychology. She then commenced a career in human resources management in private and public sector organisations and successfully gained her CIPD qualifications. During her time at the college she has undertaken the role of HR Director. In recent years she has undertaken a general management role at senior level. She currently leads the college's support service and administration service.