College Governance

Rebecca joined Solihull College & University Centre in 2016 as Assistant Principal, becoming Vice Principal for Curriculum and Quality in 2019 and appointed as Principal and Chief Executive in 2022. Rebecca started working in the further education sector as an hourly paid lecturer in Business and Management and has over 20 years’ experience, with expertise in curriculum and quality. She joined Ofsted as a part time inspector in 2015. Rebecca is a passionate ambassador for further education and was awarded a Doctorate in Education for her research on FE senior leadership.

Christine retired in 2020 after a forty year career, firstly with the British Council and then in Higher Education management. She has held posts at Aston University and the University of Birmingham, including Director of Strategic Planning and Academic Registrar, then moved to Birmingham City University as University Secretary and Chief Operating Officer. From 2016 – 2019 she led Ambitious Futures, the national graduate leadership scheme for Higher Education. Christine’s fields of expertise include performance measurement, organisational change, strategy and governance, as well as the implementation of the Prevent strategy. As a consultant with the HE development agency Advance HE, Christine has run leadership and development programmes for university governors, managers and aspiring leaders, in particular for women seeking senior positions.

Paul has 30 years of experience in financial management and audit in large commercial and public sector organisations, including at Board level. Qualified as an accountant, with a University degree in Economics and Management, he trained and worked with Ernst & Young Co in the UK and has held a variety of CFO roles in commercial and NHS organisations, most latterly as European CFO of the US transformational genomics provider Nant Health. He established his own consultancy several years ago and maintains a broad portfolio of health & technology sector clients. He is a respected visiting lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton. Paul authored the Health Economics Module on HFMA Academy’s on-line MBA Programme and has delivered the module to successive cohorts of medical students and healthcare professionals since. Paul also holds the post of Faculty Tutor on this Programme.

Michael Burnett is a UK Chartered Accountant who has been based in Solihull since 1990. He is a multi-skilled professional (audit, financial management, performance management and public procurement) experienced in significant knowledge transfer to the UK and European public sector at all levels (EU institutions, national government/sub-national government) for over 30 years as adviser, auditor, senior manager and professional trainer including working in more than including 30 European countries in the past 20 years. He is a public sector award scheme expert and was a co-organiser/project manager of the European Public Sector Awards (EPSA) from 2009 to 19 (1350 projects from 39 countries and EU institutions/agencies) and was a jury member in 2021. He has written widely on public sector management and was editor/co-author of 7 EPSA reports on innovative public sector practice in Europe.

I have worked in the education and training sector for the majority of my working life. Prior to spending five and half years in the Middle East working with the governments of Dubai and Kuwait, I was a senior HMI in Ofsted. My overseas work has mainly been advising governments on international curricula, technical and vocational education, and on quality assurance. My last job was working for World Bank in Kuwait, supporting the Government in redesigning and reforming the school education system. My career in education has included front line delivery as a lecturer of chemistry as well senior roles in local, regional and national government. In my role as senior HMI, I was responsible for taking the national lead on Adult and Community Learning and commercial contracts. I was also responsible for the performance management and quality of the work of eleven HMI.

My name is Mehak Farooque, and I am the recently appointed FE Student Governor. I am currently completing the second year Forensic Science & Criminal Investigation Level 3 at Solihull College and University (Blossomfield campus). My interests are music, sports and reading, and I also have a part time job. My favourite sport is cricket, which I play competitively and also coach. I can play a variety of instruments. I also love animals, but I prefer cats to dogs.

Sarah is currently Head of School of the School of Marketing and Management at Coventry Business School, Coventry University. She leads a large and diverse multi-disciplinary school of around 2500 students 100 staff. Sarah has extensive experience of working in higher education and further education sectors having held various academic, teaching and leadership positions over the past 14 years. Prior to working in education, Sarah spent 18 years in industry occupying senior marketing positions at National Express and ATS Euromaster. Sarah is passionate about the power of education and lifelong learning to transform lives, she remains committed to her own learning and is currently undertaking a doctorate at the University of Reading.

Ravi works as an Innovation Lead within Economic Regeneration in the Midlands. Specialising in digital technology and innovation, he has worked in a range of sectors, including: Digital Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Digital Health 5G, Cyber Security and Smart Cities. His work includes working closely with a range of stakeholders including Government departments, health organisations, universities and colleges, local authorities and businesses. He is also a mentor and life coach, he has volunteered for a range of roles over the past 20 years, including working with: charities, Human Rights movements, community, and faith groups.

Lucy is a chartered accountant working for the Water Services Regulation Authority, Ofwat as Interim Director of Finance and Procurement. Lucy leads teams providing advice and support to the business, alongside engagement with Central Government Departments. Lucy is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) with an interest in supporting the Public Sector work.

Tony has a wide range of experience in financial services, operations and the recruitment sector – including at Board level and having run his own businesses. With an Economics degree and an MBA, his early career was with NatWest including working for the Group Finance Director and Secretariat to various main Board Committees.Tony had to relinquish his role as a Governor at Dudley College after six years, due to work relocation – but is pleased to take up that role again in the FE sector at Solihull College & University Centre. He is now retired but is also a director of the Solihull-based Family Care Trust charity, which supports adults with learning differences. He is also Secretary of his local tennis and squash club. Tony is passionate about service, efficiency and value for money.

Jo is the recently appointed HE Student Governor. Jo is Director and Senior Behaviourist at Paw Education Dog Training and Behavior and Director of Rebel Core Collective, a business helping other dog trainers with mentoring opportunities and business growth. Jo’s interests are very much routed in behaviour and psychology and since becoming a parent to two young boys her focus now also includes schooling and the education system and how we can start to look at things differently. It has become a huge passion about how we can equip the children of today with the skills needed for life which also has a lot of crossover with supporting families with their dogs behaviour.

Graham held senior leadership roles in corporate banking before retiring 4 years ago. Sector specialisms including Healthcare, Education and Real Estate alongside management of risk and compliance. Graham was a board member of Coventry University for 6 years and an active member of the Strategy & Finance Committee. Responsibilities included devising/supporting the strategic direction as well as reviewing new initiatives for viability, risk and strategic fit. Currently Graham volunteers for the local Citizens Advice office, proving help and guidance on a range of issues; financial, family, legal, health and housing. He is also a committee member and ride leader for Solihull Cycling Club. At a time when further education is undergoing change and challenge, Graham is particularly interested to understand how vocational education is supporting both the students and local employers. He is also keen to contribute to the ongoing financial management of the College, so that it can continue to provide a varied programme alongside continued financial stability.

Dr Mehreen Mirza is currently the Head of School of Law & Social Sciences at Oxford Brookes University. She has worked at several universities in a range of academic and leadership roles, and led numerous cross-institutional projects, for example, in partnership with employers, focusing on employability and enterprise, to support students into positive graduate outcomes in work or further study. Mehreeen is currently the Honorary Chjair of the UK Council of Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities and previously served on the Advisory Group of the Higher Education Academy [HEA] Subject Centre for Sociology, Anthropology and Politics. She was Vice-Chair of the HEA Sociology Group. She believes in the transformational power of education and is committed to the provision of high-quality education. Mehreen continues to research on inequality, identity and higher education.

Amirun is a risk and governance specialist with over 16 years experience within financial services focusing on the development and oversight of risk and governance policy and frameworks. Having held senior positions in risk and corporate governance, including the role of Company Secretary for Al Rayan Bank – one of the UK’s ethical, Sharia compliant banks, Amirun is currently Head of Operational Risk for Europe Arab Bank. She is also Chair of Governors at Tiverton Academy providing oversight and challenge to ensure effective decision making, across multiple elements, including Teaching and Standards, Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Pupil Premium as well as Performance and Appraisals.

Cheryl is currently Director of Operations and a member of the Executive Committee at a regional Building Society. She has significant experience in leading operations and transformational change within financial services, after working in the sector for many years. Having previously been a Board Member for a Birmingham-based charity and as a mentor to other charitable organisations, Cheryl is committed to continually supporting local communities. Cheryl is keen that individuals and businesses have access to a range of education and learning opportunities that can benefit them personally and professionally.

I have had the privilege to work in the College for 14 years as a lecturer in Care and Education, and most recently in the role as a program manager. Prior to this l worked as an Orthopaedic nurse, but felt my passion was in working with the student nurses, educating them, and teaching them new skills. Having seen the role from different levels within the organization, l feel this gives me a wealth of experience to bring to this position. l feel now is the ideal time to use this knowledge and passion I have for the College to be a part of the team of governors. As an approachable and friendly person, and with an open-door policy, l hope to be a conduit between the pupils and staff, and the management and governance of the college.

Harrison works as a Platform Engineer for the digital consultancy firm BJSS. He has several years of experience in the private sector as well as the public education sector in roles that include Digital & Technology and Strategy & Risk. After completing an apprenticeship through a College, he also gained a BSc in Information Technology and an MSc in Cyber Security alongside his employment in the public sector. Harrison will bring a diverse perspective on the education sector, gained through both personal experience within education and subsequent professional experience.

A Chartered Accountant, Tony leads an Internal Audit Team for a large Building Society, responsible for its Finance, Treasury and Risk functions. Tony has previous experience of external audits of businesses in the financial services, telecommunications, residential construction and manufacturing sectors.