AoC Governance Professionals’ Conference 2025

Fiona has worked in governance for over 30 years, firstly in Listed companies, then charities, and then the FE sector for the last 15 years. She works with Board and executive teams to build strong sustainable governance to bring positive impacts for learners. In addition to governance qualifications, her experience has been gained from governance professional and company secretary roles, as a trustee, a governor, and a Board Chair of a SEND college. Following her role as National Head of Governance at ETF, she has undertaken over 30 board reviews, delivered training, and mentored new governance professionals across the country.

Annamaria is a psychology-based wellbeing consultant, trainer and coach. Annamaria often works with organisations to develop sustainable employee wellbeing strategies, learning and development programs, and training. As a coach and subject matter expert she continues to work with colleges and universities to support them in overcoming challenges and preventing burn-out by developing resilience, fortitude, and impactful wellbeing. Responding to the digital overwhelm professionals continue to experience, Annamaria has designed and published wellbeing stationery to support busy people with busy lives to keep on top of and feel in control of their wellbeing and mental health, as well as their workload.

Ra Hamilton-Burns has two decades of experience as a Governance Professional and Clerk in Further Education. She has enjoyed working for a wide variety of sixth form and General Further Education colleges, demonstrating a passion for collaborating with Boards to ensure the growth and prosperity of colleges and learners under their stewardship. With expertise in mergers, large capital builds and supporting organisations in intervention, Ra also actively engages in the ongoing improvement of FE governance delivering the AoC GP induction programme.

Chartered Governance Professional and management accountant with a varied career including Local Authority Senior Housing Manager, Internal Auditor for the NHS and a VAT Inspector. Worked in FE governance since 2014 and has been a school governor.

Chairs AoC East Governance Professionals network, Vice Chair of the AoC National Governance Professional network, moderator of the national Further Education Governance Professionals online Jisc network, Further Education Commissioner’s National leader of Governance and a Governance Consultant providing External Board Reviews and Interim Support.

Chartered Governance Institute Governance Professional of the Year in 2019 and Highly Commended Champion for Governance 2024.

Catherine Sykes is currently Director of Governance at Hull College. Skilled in corporate governance, compliance, and strategic planning, she has led initiatives to improve governance practices and efficiency. Catherine actively engages in regional and national governance networks and has contributed to the development of governance qualifications. She is passionate about leveraging technology, including AI, to enhance governance operations. Her expertise spans policy development, risk management, and supporting organisational success through strong governance frameworks. Catherine is dedicated to empowering governance professionals and driving innovation in the sector.

Currently the Director of Governance at South Hampshire College Group (formed in August 2023 following a merger between Fareham, Eastleigh and Southampton Colleges) Georgina has been with the SHCG since 2019. Georgina has been a governance professional for over 20 years - previously Assistant Company Secretary in a large Housing Association Group, and Company Secretary for a small National Charity.

Georgina is passionate about governance and the integral part it plays in delivering strategy and driving successful organisations. Currently embedding SHCG’s new group structure, she is particularly focused on developing reflective practice and impact assessment.

Sandra Prail MBE is a National Leader of Governance with the FE Commissioner’s Office and led the development of recently published effective practice in SPH appraisals and Chair reviews. She is currently Chair of Corporations at Bath College and South Hampshire College Group. With a wealth of experience of governance across the FE sector and beyond Sandra bring a practical approach to peer learning as a key means of driving improvement and raising the profile of strong governance.

Shelagh Legrave was appointed as Further Education Commissioner in 2021.

Shelagh has served as Principal and CEO of a large college group, and has a background in finance. She led through multiple mergers and improvements, and supported the previous Further Education Commissioner as part of the FE Principals Reference Group.

Belle has been the Director of Governance at the East Sussex College Group, which has campuses in Hastings, Eastbourne, Lewes and Newhaven, since 2022. Her primary focus is supporting the Corporation in achieving its key strategic priorities, whilst ensuring robust governance practice. Belle is also Co-Chair of the South East Region Clerks & Governance Professionals Forum.

Belle has been a governance professional for nearly eight years, with prior experience as a Governor and Co-Chair of Governors in a school setting. She is passionate about governance and the invaluable mechanism it provides for driving positive outcomes for learners and local communities.

Bernie has been a Recruitment Manager at AoC for 12 years, focusing on the appointment of leadership and governance roles within Further Education. Prior to this, she managed search and selection campaigns within a commercial recruitment consultancy for 14 years. Bernie has led more than 60 Principal and CEO recruitment campaigns at a range of colleges, as well as over 200 other senior leadership and governance appointments. She has a first class degree from UCL and is qualified in psychometric testing.

Rachel has been a Recruitment Manager at AoC since 2022, focusing on the recruitment of Principals, senior Executives, and Governors within further education. She has worked with a wide range of GFE, sixth form, and specialist colleges in all areas of England, as well as Wales. She has an excellent track record of managing quality-driven recruitment campaigns to a high standard and has first-rate expertise in designing and delivering bespoke assessment centres.

Victoria is a Principal HR Consultant in the Employment Team of Stone King. She joined the firm in 2010, and has over 30 years’ experience working in HR, in both private and public sectors, and has over 15 years experience as a education HR specialist. As a result, she has a deep understanding of HR issues in the education sector.

On a daily basis she advises Senior Leaders, Governors and Trustees on all manner of HR issues in a highly unionised environment. Victoria has extensive experience advising on both basic and highly complex TUPE transfers. She has acted as investigating officer on a number of disciplinary and grievance cases and regularly supports with disciplinary, grievance, capability, sickness absence and redundancy matters.

Victoria aims to provide practical, pragmatic advice, and builds strong relationships with her clients to ensure that she fully understands their specific needs.