Governance
The college corporation is responsible for the overall functioning of Kirklees College.
The Corporation oversees the college’s strategic direction, financial performance and quality of service provided to learners and the community. The Corporation Board is made up of highly experienced individuals, who have extensive experience across industry, business, law, finance and the community, as well as students and staff.
The Corporation meets at least twice each term to discuss the college’s strategy and its progress on key performance matters. The Corporation also has several governor committees which look at the college’s performance on finance and quality matters and in more detail at all key areas of the business.
Governors also play an active role in college life through support and advice, as well as attending events and promoting the good work the college does in the community.
More information
Clause 4(1) of Schedule 4 to the Further & Higher Education Act 1992 provides that all Further Education Corporations must provide for the appointment of a Clerk within their governing documents.
The Clerk is independent from management, in order to be able to offer impartial advice to the Corporation.
The main responsibilities of the Clerk are:
- To support the Corporation in meeting high standards of governance and fulfilling legal or regulatory requirements
- To provide guidance on legal issues relating to governance, as well as the implications of policy or regulatory developments
- To advise the Corporation with regard to the operation of its powers
- To advise the Corporation with regard to procedural matters
- To advise the Corporation with regard to the conduct of its business.
As an independent officer of the Corporation, the Clerk plays a key role in ensuring that the College’s system of checks and balances operates effectively.
The Clerk is appointed by and accountable to the Corporation only. There is a clear separation of functions and lines of reporting and the main responsibility for managing the Clerk rests with the Chair of the Corporation.
The current Clerk Joanna Green may be contacted at jgreen08@kirkleescollege.ac.uk.
The Corporation
Executive Governor
Professional Background
Palvinder joined Kirklees College as Principal and Chief Executive in June 2021. He has worked in further education since 2000 and has held a range of senior appointments, most recently as Group Deputy Principal (Finance, Planning and Resources) for NCG. Prior to this, he held senior positions at both Luminate Education Group (formerly Leeds City College) and Barnsley College.
Special Interests
Strategic planning, curriculum improvement, financial and business planning, culture change, strategic partnerships with employers and government agencies. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - Chair of the Association of Colleges EDI steering group.
Corporation Roles
Appointed 06.06.21. Member of the Finance, Quality, Safeguarding, and Search & Governance Committees.
Chair of Corporation
Professional background
Career civil servant for 33 years, with 22 of these in the Department of Health, including 10 years at Director level working on Health Protection and Clinical Programmes (cancer and heart disease etc.) Now retired.
Special interests
Curriculum, performance management and governance. Links with employers, particularly in the NHS.
Corporation roles
Appointed 15.5.15. Chair of Corporation. Member of Finance; QPS; Executive Employment; and Safeguarding Committees. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Group. Estates Strategy Advisory Group.
Independent Member
Professional background
Human Resources and Training background in Local Government including management of large YTS/Apprenticeship scheme. TEC /LSC for 20 years at senior level including Area Review/Provider Management/Mergers/ESF. Senior Adviser YPLA/EFA 4 years. Now semi-retired.
Special interests
LLDD & Safeguarding; Quality; Curriculum; Equality & Diversity; Data;Finance
Corporation roles
Appointed 23.5.14. Corporation vice-chair. Member of QPS, Finance, Executive Employment, Search & Governance and Safeguarding Committees (Chair); Member of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategic Group (Chair); Governor Representative on Student Voice Forum. Link Governor for SEND, Safeguarding, and mental health.
Independent Member
Professional background
Retired Company Director with experience of general management and commissioning, start-up and production management of manufacturing plants and driving up their efficiency.
Special interests
Apprenticeships, Health & Safety (“H&S”)
Corporation roles
Appointed 6.10.17. Member of Audit Committee and H&S link governor.
Independent Member
Professional background
Chartered accountant ICAI (India), Bachelor of Commerce. Wide ranging experience of all fields of finance as well as working in small, mid and large size organizations especially in the manufacturing sector. Currently Plant Finance Controller for Cummins Turbo Technologies, Huddersfield.
Special interests
Accounting & Finalisation, Controls & Compliances, Banking including credit facilities & forex hedging, MIS & Reporting, Budgeting & Costing, Taxation.
Corporation roles
Appointed 16.03.18. Member of Finance Committee.
Independent Member
Professional background
Former secondary Headteacher now retired.
Special interests
Progression and added value. English and maths.
Corporation roles
Appointed 8.7.16. Member of Executive Employment; Audit and QPS Committees. Chair of QPS Committee.
Independent Member
Professional background
Head of System Change & Support Team, Royal Bank of Scotland with
expertise in change management and over 25 years’ experience in financial services, risk and compliance and technology. Chair of the bank’s Systems Change Board. Previous roles included a Learning & Development position.
Special interests
Personal and professional development. Systems and change management.
Corporation roles
Appointed 24.01.20. Member of Audit Committee.
Independent Member
Professional background
Sales and marketing director for a Yorkshire-based bed manufacturer and a member of the board of the National Bed Federation. Also a qualified and experienced teacher of KS3 English, having a Diploma in Education Management.
Special interests
Promoting business and entrepreneurial skills amongst women and young people.
Corporation roles
Appointed 13.12.19. Member of Executive Employment Committee.
Independent Member
Profile coming soon
Independent Member
Professional background
A Director of outdoor education charity the Field Studies Council, Ian has broad leadership and management experience, having particular expertise in marketing and communications. He previously held senior management roles at the Manchester and Wakefield Colleges. He is also a trustee of the grant-making charity The Penny Appeal.
Special interests
Charity governance, commercial development, driving innovation, strategic marketing, risk management and leading structural change.
Corporation Roles
Appointed 1 December 2020. Member of Search & Governance Committee.
Independent Member
Professional background
Ms J Clement Walters is a chartered accountant, now retired, who has worked in the private and public sectors, notably including the Manchester Chamber of Commerce where she was once company secretary. Ms Walters has experience of supporting staff development, mentoring and training apprentices.
Special interests
Mentoring, employer engagement, work readiness.
Corporation Roles
Appointed 16.07.21. Member of Audit Committee.
Independent Member
Professional background
A chartered accountant, now retired, who has held a number of senior roles in the private sector, as well as in the Further Education Sector as Vice Principal Resources for three colleges.
Special interests
College funding and finance, estates planning.
Corporation roles
Appointed 16.07.21. Member of Finance Committee.
Staff Member
Professional background
Security Team Leader at Kirklees College.
Special interests
Student wellbeing and safeguarding.
Corporation roles
Appointed 12.11.21
Staff Member
Professional background
Kirklees College Curriculum Area Manager, Science and Access to Higher Education (“HE”) having previously worked as a lecturer and as a trainer assessor here. Has a first-class degree in Chemistry and an industry background.
Special interests
Improving learner outcomes, helping learners succeed in HE.
Corporation roles
Appointed 12.11.21. Quality, Performance & Standards (“QPS”) Committee member.
Governance Documents
Academic Year 2021 – 2022
Academic Year 2020 – 2021
Academic Year 2019 – 2020
Academic Year 2018 – 2019
Academic Year 2021 – 2022
Academic Year 2020 – 2021
Academic Year 2019 – 2020
Academic Year 2018 – 2019
Academic Year 2017 – 2018 & Earlier
In 2022, an external review of governance was undertaken by consultancy firm the Governance Forum. We are pleased to share their findings, as set out in this summary report below. The review looked at the culture and quality of discussion in board meetings; the quality and focus of meeting packs; and took a general overview of board performance via discussions with current Governors.
Where development needs were identified, these were discussed and have informed our development plan. Across the majority of areas assessed, the Corporation showed strength and confidence. The board meeting observation demonstrated that the board is operating at a good level, while the review of meeting packs concluded that the papers presented to the board ranged from good to very good.
Academic Year 2020 – 2021
Academic Year 2019 – 2020
Academic Year 2018 – 2019
Academic Year 2020-2021
Academic Year 2019-2020
Academic Years 2018, 2019 & Earlier
Academic Year 2020 – 2021
Academic Year 2019 – 2020
Could you be a Kirklees College Governor?
Whether you are an experienced trustee or board member or are looking to take your first step at board level, we want to hear from you. We need talented people to join our team who are well networked and will bring a high level of understanding of the barriers to learning many of our learners face.
You might be an environmental or digital guru, a community or faith leader, have expertise in policing or family law, have overcome barriers to learning yourself or have experience of promoting equality and diversity. Whatever your background, you will be a strong believer in the transformative power of education and will share our college values.
Information for Prospective Governors and Application Forms
There are currently no Governor vacancies. Please monitor this page for updates.
