Weston College Corporation comprises 18 members, representing a variety of business, community and local authority interests, as well as student and staff representatives. The Principal is also a Governor of the College.

In addition, external members may be appointed to Governing Body Committees to provide specific expertise.

Current members:

Jude Ferguson
Chair of the Corporation. Member of the Finance Committee. Member of the Remuneration Committee.

Jude is an experienced Senior Manager who has worked in Education & Guidance Services in both the public and private sector. Formerly the Partnership Development Manager for Connexions, West of England, Jude is currently a member of Avon & Somerset Policy Authority and a Non-Executive Director of Weston Area Health Trust.

Mark Canniford
Member of the Audit Committee. Member of the Data Curriculum & Quality Committee.

A very successful local retailer, Mark sits on North Somerset Council and the Town Council, He provides an important community link in his role as a Governor. Mark also undertakes the role of our link Governor for Safeguarding.

Chris Carter
Chairs the Finance Committee (also member of the Capital Project Working Group) and Member of the Search Committee.

As a local Solicitor, Chris provides an invaluable legal perspective to support the work of the Corporation.

John Cocks
Chairs the Data Curriculum & Quality Committee. Member of the Search Committee

John has extensive experience in post-16 and adult education and training. His role as a Governor carries a specific responsibility for Equality & Diversity.

David Jacobs
Chair of the Audit Committee

Prior to semi-retiring, David gained extensive audit experience during his employment with the University of Bath.

Maxine Park
Member of the Data Curriculum & Quality Committee.

Maxine is our Teaching Staff Governor member and undertakes valuable work in the College as a Curriculim Co-ordinator Skills for Life.
 

John Penrose
John’s role as a Member of Parliament enables him to bring both a local and national perspective on important issues to his role as a Governor.

Dr. Paul Phillips OBE
Member of the Finance Committee (also member of the Capital Project Working Group). Member of the Search Committee.

Paul Phillips is the Principal & Chief Executive and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the College. He is able to provide Governors with all the necessary information to enable them to make important strategic decisions. On a national level, he represents the South West on the Principals’ Professional Council; he is a member of the Association of Colleges South West Board, a member of the North Somerset Partnership and Non-Executive Director of NHS North Somerset.

Ian Porter
Member of the Audit Committee

As well as being the Director of a successful business, Ian is also a member of North Somerset Council and is a Town councillor – one of the College’s important strategic partners.

Dr George Reah

George is Vice Chair of Corporation a Member of  Audit and Remuneration Committee.

George worked at executive management level in multinational commercial organisations gaining in-depth experience of the development and implementaion of business strategies and also significant audit-related experience.  Since retirement he has sat on the Boards of health and educational bodies and is currently a Non-Executive Director of the Weston Area Health NHS Trust.
 

Fiona Waters
Fiona is our Non-Teaching Staff Governor and has worked at Weston College for nineteen years currently as College Registrar and formerly within Student Services.  Fiona represents the Corporation as a Trustee of the Priory Community School Trust Partnership and as a full Governor there, with specialist responsibility for Mathematics and Pastoral Services.

Andy Headdon

Andy is an experienced Programme Director within the NHS and has delivered a number of major development projects both locally in Bristol and throughout the South West.  With 30 years' experience in the construction and property industry Andy has a wealth of knowledge in public sector procurement and governance matters. 

 
He has a range of other interests including rugby and classic cars.
 

Sheila Smith

Sheila is Director of Children and Young People’s Services for North Somerset Council and is a social worker by profession.  She has worked in a number of councils as well as spending some time as an inspector with Social Services Inspectorate (now part of Ofsted) in London and the South East.

Sheila joined North Somerset Council in early May 2010 from Cornwall where she was Deputy Director for Children’s Services.

Chris Ellicott

Chris worked in higher Education for more than 20 years.  He moved from the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) to Trinity College of Music in 1995, and has worked at Bath Spa University since 2001, presently as Director of Student Services and Registrar.

As well as his experience in Higher Education, Chris has taken a keen interest in the performing Arts, being himself a performing musician.

Emma Zeeman

Emma has a wealth of experience in the HR profession both in the private and public sector. She joined Avon and Somerset Constabulary as Strategic Director of HR in December 2009 and has subsequently taken up the role of an executive member of the CIPD Police Forum.

Emma is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Personnel Development and a Fellow of the Institute of Directors.