Meet Our Senior Team

Following early career positions in local education authorities, Gwyn had a full-time career in Higher Education (HE) for 35 years before retiring from her role as Registrar and Clerk to the Board of Governors at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2014. Since then, she has pursued her passion for enabling and supporting excellence in post-compulsory education in the interests of students, and the professionalisation and modernisation of HE Support Services through a wide variety of roles. Gwyn has undertaken numerous consultancy roles in a variety of universities and for software companies that support HE and FE; she was interim University Secretary at the University of Bradford and has also been a Trustee Board Member for the Sheffield Hallam University Students' Union.

Gwyn is the Governing Body’s link Governor for Safeguarding; Vice Chair of the Search, Remuneration & Governance Committee and a member of the Teaching, Learning Quality & Student Experience Committee.

Gwyn is a Governor/Non -Executive Director of Futureworks.

Stephen is Chief Executive of Learn Sheffield, which is a not for profit company owned by Sheffield’s publicly funded schools and colleges, in partnership with Sheffield City Council. The purpose of the company is to support school improvement. It has a turnover of approximately £1.5m and employs approximately twenty staff, plus a wider 'associate' workforce. Stephen is a qualified teacher (holding a PGCE and National Professional Qualification for Headship) and was previously a head teacher.

Stephen has significant experience of city-wide strategic leadership and governance, especially for education organisations and projects. The principles of providing appropriate support and challenge to leaders is a core element of his current professional work. Stephen is also currently:

- a trustee of Sheffield Theatres Trust

- Create Sheffield board member

- a member of Minerva Multi Academy Trust

- a member of Five Rivers Multi Academy Trust

- a board member of the Sheffield Institute of Education Advisory at Sheffield Hallam University

Stephen is Vice Chair of the Teaching, Learning Quality & Student Experience Committee.

Peter has spent his working career in IT and Electronics, mainly in commercial roles but with significant involvement with public sector organisations. As CEO and then director of The Electronics Group (and its predecessor, Electronics Yorkshire), Peter has led a company that provides both commercial and publicly funded training including Apprenticeships.

Peter has been a member and chair of a number of national sector bodies on business and technical education. He has advised universities on the development of Apprenticeship Standards for new degree and masters level Apprenticeships and has advised regional and national government and funding agencies on the wider skills development and training for IT and electronics sectors.

Peter also has significant experience in the not-for-profit sector. As a trustee and, since 2013, Chair of Trustees of Sheffield Media and Exhibition Centre, Peter has led the board of the Showroom Cinema and Workstation.

Peter qualified to teach online with The Sheffield College and has a Master of Education in e-Learning from the University of Sheffield. 

Peter is Vice Chair of the Finance, Employment & General Purposes Committee and a member of the Teaching, Learning Quality & Student Experience Committee.

Richard Calvert is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategy and Operations) at Sheffield Hallam University. He joined the University as Chief Operating Officer in November 2016. He is head of the University’s administration, with overall responsibility for the University's professional services.

Richard has an extensive background in leading professional service functions in central government. Before joining Sheffield Hallam, he was Director General for Strategy and Resources at the Department for Education. He was previously Director General for Finance and Corporate Performance at the Department for International Development (2009-2015), where he supported the delivery of DFID's programmes, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Richard also led the Department's work on climate change and on international education, including setting up the International Citizens Service.

Richard's previous roles included spells as Director of Strategy and Resources at the Food Standards Agency (2007-2009); Finance Director at DFID (2003-07); First Secretary (External Relations) at the UK Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels; and also spells as Private Secretary to Chris Patten, Lynda Chalker and Clare Short while they were in Ministerial roles.

He holds an MA in Law from the University of Oxford and is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

Richard is the Governing Body's link governor for data protection and a member of the Finance, Employment and General Purposes Committee.

After a period as a co-opted member, the Governing Body appointed Ian as a governor and Chair of the Audit & Risk Assurance Committee in January 201. He is also a member of the Search, Remuneration & Governance Committee. He is a non-executive director of three public sector organisations in the region and, until his retirement in spring 2013, Ian was an accountant and business risk partner with over 30 years’ experience in the public sector.

Ian has extensive experience of Further Education, both as an auditor and as a governor at other colleges. Until its recent merger, Ian was a governor of Doncaster College and University Centre undertaking a number of senior board roles including Chair of Audit Committee.

Kathryn joined the Governing Body as a student governor in 2020 after being elected as the President of The Sheffield College Students’ Union. Before returning to study, Kathryn had a varied career in London and Sheffield working in community development, the performing arts, youth work and supporting women and families. Her projects in London included working with the Prince’s Trust, providing music camps for young people and raising awareness of black youth enterprise in the performing arts. She also put on dance projects and shows, and worked with her local youth club to support women and children to flee from domestic violence.

On returning to Sheffield, Kathryn initially worked in health and social care before deciding on a career change to hair and beauty. Kathryn combined work and returning to study at The Sheffield College. She also continued her community work, working with local fashion businesses, providing hair demonstrations, hair modelling for charity catwalk shows, and hair and beauty skills training to women from war torn countries to help them gain employment and support their family. A hair demonstration at a festival in 2017 lead to an invitation from the international fashion magazine, Black Beauty, for Kathryn to model for their “Self Love Campaign”, promoting body positivity for people with body issues, particularly those coping with mental illness. Kathryn completed a Level 3 qualification in Media Make-up at The Sheffield College in 2019/20.

As well as her work for the Students’ Union, Kathryn continues social media campaigning to find solutions to local issues that affect Sheffield communities.

Kathryn is a member of the Teaching, Learning, Quality and Student Experience Committee.

Beri was appointed as a governor in July 2017 and is a Vice-Chair of Governing Body. She is Chair of the Teaching, Learning Quality and Student Experience Committee, a member of the Finance, Employment & General Purposes Committee and the Search, Remuneration & Governance Committee.  

Beri is currently an educational consultant and, until recently, an Adviser to the FE Commissioner, implementing reforms to FE and also working with intervention teams to support colleges with financial and/or quality difficulties. Prior to this Beri, was Chief Executive Officer and Principal of Stroud College (2006-2012) and a registered Ofsted Inspector working on teams inspecting FE, sixth form colleges, adult education and apprenticeships.

In 2011, Beri was awarded an OBE for services to FE and she is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Honorary Fellow of the City and Guilds Institute.

Shelley was appointed as a board member in January 2019 and is the link governor for equality and diversity, and vice chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee.

Shelley is a Police Superintendent with South Yorkshire Police in Sheffield, where she has worked for 25 years. She operates at a strategic command level across the force, leading on ethics and integrity and Protecting Vulnerable People. In her work as a police officer and senior leader, Shelley has developed expertise in managing people, managing resources and managing risk as well as dealing with safeguarding matters, amongst other things.

Shelley, a graduate of York University, has a keen interest in continuing education and recently completed a Masters’ Degree in Applied Criminology and Police Management at the University of Cambridge.

Stephan Hollingshead is a Commercial Director with experience covering finance and operational management, building on his background as a Chartered Accountant, and operating at a high level in a number of industries. Stephan has extensive experience of leadership and management roles with a wide variety of retail and wholesale businesses in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods sector, from blue chip multinationals to small and medium sized enterprises. Stephan also has experience as a consultant in private equity and venture capital trust reporting, liaising closely with funders, investors and bankers.

Stephan is currently Chief Finance and Operating Officer for Iceotope Technologies Ltd Sheffield.

He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales and holds a BSc (Hons) in Physics from York University.

Stephan is Chair of the Finance, Employment & General Purposes Committee and a member of the Search, Remuneration & Governance Committee.

Michelle has worked at The Sheffield College for over 34 years in a variety of roles and departments, including exams, student records, Apprenticeships and business development. Her current role in business development allows her to work with employers and partners to map out career pathways for existing members of staff to learn new skills, and provide opportunities for new Apprentices stepping onto the employment ladder.

Michelle was appointed as a governor in July 2018 and is a member of the Audit & Risk Assurance Committee and the Search, Remuneration & Governance Committee.

Sol Miah works in human resources in Higher Education and is a committed supporter of Further Education and lifelong learning.

Sol joined The Sheffield College Governing Body in August 2020, after serving for nine years as a governor of The Bedford College Group. Sol understands the benefits of Further Education having been a student at Bedford College for sixth form education and as an adult learner. Having completed the maximum term of office as a governor of Bedford College, Sol is keen to continue his association with Further Education and, as a governor of The Sheffield College, contribute to ensuring that the College provides a high quality education for all our learners, supporting their personal and professional growth, delivering staff engagement and contributing to the communities we serve.

Sol is a Graduate in Financial Services, he has Postgraduate qualifications in Management and Human Resources. He was awarded a Fellowship of the Chartered Management Institute and he is currently completing an MSc in Occupational Psychology.

John joined the Governing Body in February 2020. From 2008 until December 2019, John was Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council. John joined Sheffield City Council in 1998 as Executive Director and was directly involved in much of the regeneration of the City. Prior to moving to Sheffield, he was a Director with the London Borough of Camden, and before that had extensive experience in local government, arts and community development.

John is Chair of the National Lottery Community Fund England Committee, Guardian of the Sheffield Assay Office, a member of the Sheffield Management School Advisory Board and has previously been a Trustee and Chair of Meadowhall Education Centre, an independent training provider.

John holds an MA in English and a Diploma in Management Studies.

Saleem is a Main Grade Lecturer in Maths at Hillsborough Campus and teaches Computing at City Campus. Saleem has worked at the College since 2010. He is also member of the union UCU and committee member at the Hillsborough branch.

Saleem was appointed as a governor in March 2016 following his election by College teaching staff. He is a member of the Teaching, Learning Quality & Student Experience Committee and the Finance, Employment & General Purposes Committee.

Seb is Chair of the Governing Body and a member of the Finance, Employment & General Purposes Committee, the Teaching, Learning Quality & Student Experience Committee, and the Search, Remuneration & Governance Committee.

Seb has lived in Heeley, Sheffield, for over 40 years. He has been a Governor of The Sheffield College since 2008, and Chair of the Governing Body since January 2018.

Seb spent over 20 years teaching and writing training courses for trade union representatives for the TUC, initially at the former Granville College in Sheffield. During the 1990s he became a specialist in online learning, since when he has worked for a wide range of private and public sector organisations helping them make better use of digital learning.

Seb retired in 2012 after ten years as Chief Executive of the Association for Learning Technology. In addition to being The Sheffield College’s Chair of Governors, he is also on the Board of the Sheffield-based awarding organisation NOCN, and an external member of the Audit Committee of Northern College.

John was appointed in September 2012, he is Vice Chair of the Governing Body; the link governor for careers & employability and a member of the Teaching, Learning Quality & Student Experience Committee and the Audit & Risk Assurance Committee.

He is Director of MLS Contracts Ltd (Sports and Leisure Consultancy). As the company's Director of Events, John has extensive experience working with many UK and European host cities, destination agencies and host organising committees. John is Chair of Sheffield Sharks Junior Basketball Club and a Director of Park Community Arena Ltd. In summer 2012, John attended the Paralympics as an Assistant Technical Delegate for Wheelchair Rugby and has held senior roles at a number of major sports events in the UK.

Angela is Chief Executive and Principal of The Sheffield College and was appointed as a governor in November 2017. Angela has 25 years’ experience in further education with expertise across a broad range of curriculum and student support services. Prior to her current role, Angela was Vice Principal for Curriculum and Support at The Manchester College. Angela has also previously held senior leadership roles in London colleges and was a Vice Principal of Barnsley College.

Angela is ex-officio member of the Finance, Employment & General Purposes Committee, the Search, Remuneration & Governance Committee and the Teaching, Learning Quality and Student Experience Committee.

Alison Shillito joined the College in November 2016. She is a legally qualified (LLB honours degree), with a masters degree in Information Studies and has extensive governance experience in HE and FE. The Clerk is a member of the Association of University Administrators and a professional subscriber to the Chartered Governance Institute (formerly ICSA).

Prior to joining the College Alison worked at Sheffield Hallam University (for over 25 years) in various roles in governance and quality assurance and enhancement, and was a QAAHE Audit Secretary.