Our Board of Trustees

Andrew Comyn

Chair, Employment & Finance Committee

Andrew is the Deputy Chief Executive & Chief Financial Officer at Nottingham College. Andrew is an experienced commercial strategic finance and business advisor, possessing particular expertise within the professional services sector. His specialities span commercial finance (including M&A and funding), restructuring, insolvency operations, credit control and the legal sector.

Peter Kane

Health, safety & wellbeing and sustainability group sponsor

Peter is Head of Estates and FM at Belfast Metropolitan College. Peter possesses over 23 years’ experience in Project and Assets Management across both the social housing and education sectors. His responsibilities include delivery of the college asset management strategy, plus contract management of the college’s PFI/PPP contracts and overall estate operations, including health and safety/sustainability. Peter is the Board sponsor for health, safety and wellbeing and Sustainability.

Fatima Bensihem

GDPR sponsor, Giving Back Group member

Fatima is a Finance & Procurement Officer at the College of West Anglia. Fatima is the Board Sponsor for GDPR and supports our Giving Back Group. She adds her experience as a sales ledger, purchase ledger and general ledger officer, working with credit control, management accounts, procurement and insurance, as well as line managing the operational side of a business, with skills in computerised accounts.

Lawrence Jenkins

Employment & Finance Committee

Lawrence is Deputy Chief Executive at North Kent College. Lawrence is a member of the Chartered Institute of Global Management Accountants and has worked in Further Education for the past 20 years. He has significant experience in financial and change management, as well as building and resource development. Lawrence has also worked in a number of other sectors, including time at the National Trust, the NHS and in media and advertising.

Aimee Williams

Member of the Giving Back Group

With more than 12 years’ experience in education, Aimee has developed a robust knowledge and understanding of teaching and learning, supporting a number of schools both within the Trust and across the county to transform their educational experiences. She holds SLE status for both English and Teaching and Learning and over the years, has supported many schools in different contexts. As teaching and learning lead for 6 years, Aimee vehemently believes schools are the engine of social mobility; providing transformational educational opportunities which will prepare students for future endeavours. In previous roles, Aimee has served as Vice Principal at a secondary school; strategically leading on teaching and learning, professional growth and head of sixth form as well as holding the Executive Lead post for a primary school.

Dave Thornton

With a background in procurement, managing and evaluating housing bids, Dave started working with public sector suppliers in 2009, which led to the formation of Thornton & Lowe. Over the years both the team and services offered by Thornton & Lowe have grown significantly, but the focus is still driving innovation, quality and social value across the supply chain. Dave has a particular interest in data analysis and performance management.

Lydia Sparrow

Employment & Finance Committee

Lydia has spent 18 years in the international development and humanitarian sector, leading operational teams, projects and funding both in the UK and across the world. Through this work she has developed a passion in working for social purpose, and using her experience to help both organisations and individuals explore their challenges.

Simon Jacobs

Simon is an entrepreneur and founded his own executive marketing business when he was studying at university. Graduating with a marketing degree, he moved on to work with Camelot Lottery, where he was promoted to Brand Manager and Strategy Innovation Manager. Simon now runs his own business that is focused on bridging the gap between creativity and corporate culture and has experience of working with big organisations, including John Lewis & the BBC. In addition to running his own business he is also currently employed as a Chief Marketing Officer, overseeing the whole marketing strategy. Simon has a passion for education and giving back to others to unlock talent. He has been a lecturer for Burnley College and is currently a Governor at Alder Hey Childrens Hospital, where he has recently completed governance training. Simon has a sound grasp of what a Board Trustee entails and would welcome the opportunity to be a critical friend supporting our Head of Marketing and Engagement. Simon oozes creativity and enthusiasm, his drive and ambition would bring a diversity of skills and experience to the board.