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Committee Chair

East Midlands

West Nottinghamshire College

Organisation Type

Charity/NfP

Industry / Sector

Education / Academia / Training

About The Organisation

Location: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire

About West Nottinghamshire College

West Nottinghamshire College is a major further education institution serving Mansfield, Ashfield and surrounding communities, with a clear public mission to deliver high‑quality education, skills and training that support individual opportunity, economic growth and social mobility.

The college exists to provide skills that enable students, employers and communities to thrive and to act as a force for raising aspirations. Its work is underpinned by its strong values of respect, integrity, collaboration, high expectations and responsibility, which inform both operational delivery and governance practice.

The college educates over 10,000 learners, including 16–18 students, apprentices and adult learners and works in close partnership with employers, local authorities, the East Midlands Combined County Authority and Nottingham Trent University. Its provision is strategically aligned to regional priorities, including engineering and advanced manufacturing, construction, health and social care, digital skills and low‑carbon technologies.

The college has an annual turnover of c.£48 million, reflecting significant operational scale, sustained growth in learner numbers and increasing apprenticeship and adult skills activity. It holds a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating, with ‘Outstanding’ features and maintains a ‘Good’ financial health rating from the Department for Education, enabling continued investment in its estate, workforce and long‑term sustainability.

As an exempt charity and public body, West Nottinghamshire College places strong emphasis on effective governance, financial stewardship, risk management, safeguarding and accountability. The Corporation Board provides strategic oversight and assurance, ensuring the college continues to deliver public benefit whilst remaining resilient in a complex and evolving further education landscape.

Position Description

Time commitment: c.8 hours per month

About the role

The Committee Chair plays a vital leadership role at West Nottinghamshire College, supporting the effective governance of the college and contributing directly to its success and impact on learners, staff and the wider community.

As Committee Chair, you will lead one of the Corporation Board’s committees, ensuring it operates effectively, strategically and in line with its delegated responsibilities. Working closely with the Head of Governance, fellow governors and senior leaders, you will guide constructive discussion, support robust decision-making and ensure the committee’s work aligns with the college’s strategic priorities and statutory duties.

Selection Criteria

Applications close: 9 a.m. Monday 15th July 2026

Who we are looking for

We are seeking an experienced, thoughtful and committed individual who is motivated by public service and the opportunity to make a positive contribution to further education and the wider community.

You will bring the confidence and credibility to chair meetings effectively, balancing support and challenge to enable constructive, well‑focused discussion.

You are likely to have experience operating at a strategic level, for example, through senior leadership, governance, committee work, or professional advisory roles and you will be comfortable working within a framework of accountability, regulation and collective decision‑making.

Strong interpersonal skills are essential. You will be an inclusive and collaborative chair who values different perspectives, encourages active participation and ensures that all voices are heard.

You will be able to build effective working relationships with fellow governors, the Chair of the Corporation Board, the Clerk and senior leaders, always demonstrating professionalism, integrity and sound judgement.

Above all, we are looking for someone who shares and understands the importance of safeguarding, equality and ethical leadership.

Previous experience as a committee chair is welcome but not essential. What matters most is your ability to lead with purpose, work collaboratively and contribute positively to the effective governance and long‑term success of West Nottinghamshire College.

You will need to have a passion for education and a drive for ambition to build on the college’s continued success for the benefit of its students, staff and the local community.

This should be underpinned by a track record of strong strategic leadership in one of the following areas of expertise:

– FE
– Post 16 education
– HE (with a strong focus on FE provision)
– Vocational education
– Apprenticeships and/or traineeships
– Graduate/apprenticeship recruitment

This role offers a fantastic opportunity to join an ambitious and dynamic Governing Board and genuinely have an impact on the future success of the college, its students, its staff and community.

You will support the development and influence the direction of West Nottinghamshire College at a time of great momentum for the college as they seek to grow the organisation and aspire to provide outstanding education and training opportunities for young people and adults across the Mansfield, Ashfield and wider Nottinghamshire Area.

How to Apply

Please click on the link to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website where you will find full details of the role and how to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 15th July 2026.