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 following a varied and rewarding career in public service. After a few years in the Diplomatic Service she moved into Higher Education management, working in a number of UK universities including the University of Birmingham and Birmingham City University. For the last four years Christine has led the Graduate Leadership Programme for Higher Education, based at the University of Nottingham. Christine’s particular interests are strategic planning, corporate governance and leadership development. A long-term resident of Birmingham, Christine now lives in Solihull and is passionate about supporting young people to achieve their potential through education and is proud to be a Governor at Solihull College. In her leisure time she enjoys road cycling, hill walking, learning foreign languages and re-learning to play the piano after a thirty-year break.

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.

Susie Ankrett

Megan was appointed Student Governor FE in September 2024 and is currently studying BTEC Level 2 Applied Science and is passionate about social justice, inclusion, equality, sustainability and diversity.

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.

Sarah is Head of School of Management at Coventry University. Her career spans 18 years in senior marketing positions in industry and since 2006 she has worked both in FE and HE sectors. Her passion in education is about transforming the lives of individuals, organisations and society.

Helen Kinghorn

Ravi is a consultant specializing in digital technology and innovation, with recent roles as Accelerator Programme Manager for Connected Places Catapult and Innovation Lead in Economic Regeneration across the Midlands. He has experience across sectors including Digital Infrastructure, Life Sciences, 5G, Cyber Security, Digital Health, and Smart Cities, working closely with government departments, health organizations, universities, local authorities, and businesses. As a mentor and life coach, Ravi has also volunteered for over 20 years with charities, human rights movements, and community and faith groups.

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. He is also a Trustee at the Family Care Trust, a local charity involved in helping adults with learning difficulties into work. Tony also served as a governor at Dudley College for 6 years.

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 a higher education professional and is currently a Head of School of Law & Social Sciences. 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. Mehreen has recently completed her term of office as Honorary Chair of the UK Council of Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, and previously served on the Advisory Group of the Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Sociology, Anthropology and Politics. She was Vice-Chair of the HEA Sociology Subject 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.

Dave Nanda

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.