Governor Profiles

John Kershaw (Chair)

John became a governor in 2006 when he retired as Acting Director of Adult Social Care for Leics County Council. In this role he developed contacts in Connexions, the NHS and PCT. The department was one of the few in the country to obtain and retain a top 3 star rating. John has many interests including travel, sport, conservation, food and wine and literature. He enjoys walking particularly in the Lake District and North Yorkshire. His favourite places include Cornwall and especially the Isles of Scilly.

Geoff Jackman (Vice Chair)

Geoff graduated with an MSc degree in Disability Management at Work and Rehabilitation in 1988. He spent 37 years in Education and Training at the then RNIB Vocational College until his retirement as Vice Principal/Acting Principal in 2004. One of his main responsibilities was student services. He is a Trustee with Voluntary Action Charnwood serving on sub-committees with particular interest in Human Resources and Policies. Geoff is a keen birdwatcher with a particular interest in bird song. His other interests include reading, walking and the countryside in general. His is a member of Leicester Tigers Rugby Club.

Colin Machin

Colin is currently a Lecturer in Computer Science at Loughborough University, a post that he has held for almost 30 years. Over much of his teaching career, Colin has come into contact with people with sight loss. One of his research interests is connected with improving access to web and other electronically-based material. Outside work Colin's main interest is photography, both for pleasure and competition, locally, regionally and nationally.

Tony Warren

Tony graduated from Cambridge University in Maths and Physics and has an MBA. He has taught both in school and further education. He has been College Principal since 2003 and previously held a number of senior management jobs in mainstream further education. He is also a member of the RNIB Corporate Management Team and keen to involve the College in “One RNIB”. Outside work his interests include reading and Italian.

Steve Churton

Steve is currently the Head of Professional Practice, Boots UK. He graduated from the University of Manchester with a BSc (Pharmacy) Honours Degree, and has experience in business development, strategic planning and change management. He has recently been elected to the office of President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, and he is a trustee of several charitable organisations working to improve patient health outcomes through pharmacy research and education programmes.

Steve Rankine

Steve has been a Governor since June 2008. He graduated from Lancaster University in 1979 having completed a B.Sc(Hons) in Environmental science. He then went on to complete a PGCE in 1982 as well as achieving the Chartered Institute of Management Accountancy qualification in 1990. Steve also has an MBA. Steve is currently the Deputy Principal and chief financial officer at Loughborough College. When not working Steve is a big Leicester Tigers fan and enjoys hill walking and climbing as well as watching films.

Graham Owen

As College Head of Care Graham is a governor ex officio. Graham originally qualified as a General Nurse, specialising in Neurodisability. He has thirty years experience in the Care sector, including: Independant Specialist Colleges, a residential special school and as a manager of a ‘Registered’ Care provision.
Graham is very much a family man whose interests include ancient machinery, gardening and beekeeping.

Lesley Ansari

Lesley has had a varied career starting off as a materials scientist for British Gas and is now training and development officer at Human Rights and Equalities Charnwood working on the Hate Incident project. In between she has acquired considerable experience in the equalities field through being a trade union branch secretary and equality adviser and trainer for Acas. Lesley has served a 4 year term as a lay member (2005 – 09) on the General Teaching Council for England and has been a governor at Garendon High School for over 10 years, currently holding the position of Vice-Chair.

Andrew Rowell

Andrew graduated from Nottingham University in 1988 with a degree in law and have been in the legal profession ever since, specialising in employment law for the past 12 years. He is now a partner in Spearing Waite, a Leicester firm of solicitors.

Andrewis married with two teenage children, and most of his time away from work is orientated around family and sporting activities such as tennis, cricket (coaching an under 15s club team), swimming and supporting the Leicester Tigers.

Pat Dyson

Pat is currently Principal of Sense College with responsibility for 174 learners in eight sites across the East Midlands and Eastern Region. Pat's previous role was at Mencap as National Manager, Education where she provided national strategic direction for the three Mencap colleges of Dilston, Lufton and Pengwern.

Prior to this Pat was RNIB National Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET) Manager responsible for implementing the RNIB lifelong learning strategy. Pat has worked in job centres, in local government, in the Learning & Skills Council (LSC), in work based learning and as an inspector for the Adult Learning Inspectorate and Ofsted. She was a Council Member and more lately a trustee for the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities (SKILL)

Pat undertakes voluntary work in her spare time as a member of the Soroptimist Fylde and is currently working towards a Masters in Professional Studies with a focus on special educational needs.

Parin Hirji

Parin began her career as a chemical engineer. She then gained a PgDip in Training and HRM, amongst other teaching qualifications and took teaching, training and consultant contracts, including 7 years as an Associate Inspector for the Adult Learning Inspectorate. She is currently a governor at Mountfields Lodge School, where her two daughters attend. She has extensive knowledge and experience of engaging with stakeholders and local communities, organisational development, diversity, learning and teaching, and quality assurance.

Derek Child

Following study in further education when he was losing his sight in his early twenties Derek achieved a Degree in Sociology from Durham University. Later he obtained an MA in Applied Social Policy and a CQSW at the University of Warwick.

Derek joined the Open University in 1982 as Academic Advisor on the Education of Disabled Students. He gradually built up support for disabled students until in 2004 he became the University's Head of Equality and Diversity, leading a team of 4.

Derek was a founder trustee, Chair (and sadly until its recent closure in April 2011) an Honorary Vice President of Skill (the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities) which campaigned and influenced Government and other policy makers over 37 years. He has also served for many years as a Trustee at RNIB and was elected Vice-Chair in 2009. In his off duty moments Derek likes walking, music, developing his ICT skills, reading and travel.

Deborah McManamon (Clerk - in attendance)

Deborah has been the Clerk to the Governing Body since joining the RNIB in May 2006. Prior to working for the RNIB Deborah held a similar position in the London Borough of Hackney and also worked in the training and development team for the Natwest group. Deborah is also Clerk at RNIB Vision School, Rushton & RNIB Sunshine house in Northwood. Outside of work Deborah has recently taken up digital photography and is an enthusiastic baker, assisted by her two boys who are expert tasters!

June Murray (in attendance)

June is the Assistant Principal for Programmes at the college and attends Governors’ meetings in that role. June graduated from Lanchester Polytechnic in 1978 with a BA (Hons) in Applied Social Science. In her spare time June enjoys reading, visiting galleries, museums and National Trust Properties.

Andrew Duxbury (in attendance)

Andrew attends Governors’ meetings as the College’s Assistant Principal (Business & Finance), with responsibility for College finances, premises, health & safety, catering, adaptation and transcription and administration. As well as being a chartered accountant he is NEBOSH qualified in health & safety. In his spare time he runs a charity for children from separated families and an under 11’s football team.

Toni Buckman (Staff Governor)

Toni has been part of the learning support team in various roles for 17 years, working both at Loughborough College and the RNIB College. She was also a Staff Forum Representative for 3 years. Toni's main interests are walking, reading, mosaics and supporting Leicester Tigers.