Meet the Team

Dr Paul Phillips O.B.E
Principal and Chief Executive

Paul joined Weston College in 2001. Since then the College has undergone a dramatic transformation, from below average academic results and poor financial security to a 100% pass rate and outstanding Ofsted reports.

Paul has worked at four Further Education Colleges over 22 years and has a wealth of experience with a history of academic excellence in maths, economics, law and statistics.

His responsibilities at Weston College include the overall management of the College and the strategic direction of the organisation which saw a £9 million turnaround in 2001 and now turning over in excess of £28 million.

Paul enjoys walking, watching professional wrestling and canal restoration. He is involved in many projects within the community including being a Governor at Herons Moor School, a board member of the North Somerset Partnership and a Non-executive Member of the Primary Care Trust. At present, Paul is Secretary to the Western Principals Group for the West of England and the Principals’ Professional Council lead for the South West. Most recently Paul was awarded an honourary doctorate of letters by Bath Spa University for his services to Further Education and the development of Higher Education courses.

Paul’s background includes high profile roles in both business and education and he regularly contributes to developments in Further Education both regionally and nationally.

Peggy Tovey
Deputy Principal

Peggy joined Weston College in December 2000 and has moved through various Senior Management positions from Head of Business Management and IT to spearheading our highly successful Employer Engagement department.

Her knowledge spans the FE sector in terms of 16-18, 19+ and work-based training which is coupled with a strong business background. Her success is derived from a knowledge sharing ethos, one that embraces change positively and encourages accountability.

Jacqui Ford
Assistant Principal - Strategic Partnership and Curriculum Development

Jacqui has had an extensive career within both the NHS and education. Her work profile has included leadership at a range of levels but in particular she has focused regionally and nationally on systems of support for students with learning difficulties and disabilities. Jacqui is also extensively involved in developing new models of learning.

Linda Burlison
Assistant Principal - Systems and Resources

Linda joined the organisation in January 2010. Since then she has been responsible for delivery of the building enhancements to the third campus site to create the Construction and Engineering Centre of Excellence, the relocation of the new Business Enterprise Centre, the reconfiguration of Knightstone Campus to provide open plan office accommodation and a review and renegotiation of a number of key contracts.

Linda has worked both in the public and private business sectors and has a wealth of knowledge in Procurement, Health & Safety and Project Management; as well as having previous extensive involvement in Facilities and Estates matters controlling a large property portfolio.

Linda has recently been appointed to the new post of Executive Director – Commercial Services. Her responsibilities at Weston College include the management of resources, ensuring value for money, capital investment and health & safety.

Marcus Holder
Director of Finance

Marcus joined the College in 2009 as Director of Finance.
Born in Weston-super-Mare he went to Wyvern School and then Weston College, before studying a BSc (Hons) in Economics with Applied Mathematics.

He is a qualified ACCA accountant and has spent 12 years working in finance in different industries before moving into the FE sector.
He is responsible for the management of the finance function, at a strategic and operational level. Duties include the financial management, controls and reporting within the organisation and the production of the statutory financial statements.

Anthony Murray
Director of Higher Education and International Development

Anthony started at Weston College in 1989 as a Lecturer in Creative Arts. During his time at the college he rose to become Head of Faculty of Creative Arts, during which time he spearheaded the College’s successful introduction and development of its university level provision.

As well as involvement in the development of University Campus, Anthony was appointed Director of Higher Education in 2007. Since this appointment Weston College has seen significant growth in the amount and breadth of higher education on offer, and in 2011 the College received an outstanding report from the Quality Assurance Agency, identifying that it had the highest number of points of “good practice” awarded to any College nationally.

Anthony holds a First Class Honours Degree in Three Dimensional Design and the History of Art, and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Designers. He has also carried out work for a number of institutions including: UCE Birmingham and the University of Bath.

Andrea Greer
Executive Director of Human Resources and Marketing

Andrea was engaged in the role of Director of Staffing and Students at the College in December 2009, and has responsibility for the Human Resources, Marketing and Communications departments.

Previous to this she served as a College Governor for five years. She is C.I.P.D. qualified and a graduate in International Business and Modern Languages - working in Germany and the Middle East before establishing a career and her own business in the recruitment and HR sector.

Nick Skyrme
Consultant Financial Systems and Planning

Nick has been working at Weston College in a part-time / advisory capacity since January 2010 with a remit embracing Finance , Estates and Planning.

Nick has been involved at a senior level in the FE sector since 1985 and has been prominent in developing and implementing Property Strategies, Financial Plans, Merger and Governance at two colleges in the South West. Both colleges have an excellent track record of academic and financial achievement.

Nick enjoys all aspects of the countryside; having a wide range of sporting interests as both player and spectator and is a follower of Somerset County Cricket Club and is a keen concert-goer.