Governance for a Changing FE Sector: Insight, Challenge & Real-World Practice

This event is free to attend but we have limited spaces, register your interest by scrolling to the bottom of the page and completing the short form.

Monday 2 February | 10:30am–3:00pm

Emma Cons Hall, Morley College London, 61 Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7HT 

Further education is entering a period of renewal, and governance teams are at the heart of whether colleges can meet the moment. This session brings together governance professionals from across the sector for a focused, practical and highly interactive day designed to sharpen judgement, strengthen boards, and widen your professional network. 

We’re keeping the format simple and effective: strong speakers, real case studies from inside and outside FE, structured discussion, and plenty of time for genuine connection over a light buffet lunch. 

What you’ll gain 

Expect insights you can use immediately drawn from healthcare, financial services, higher education, government, charities and FE itself. The session will dive into the realities governance professionals face: building diverse and effective boards, spotting pressure points early, navigating risk, and strengthening succession pipelines. 

Whether you’re new to FE governance or have years of experience, the cross-sector perspective is deliberately designed to challenge assumptions and refresh your thinking. 

Key themes 

• Succession planning and building future capacity 
• Board recruitment and broadening diversity 
• Warning signs and red flags: what experienced reviewers really notice 
• Board development and strengthening performance 

Agenda

• 10.30–11.00: Arrival and networking, with tea and coffee
• 11.00–11.10:  Welcome and introductions from Helene Usherwood and Paul Aristides
• 11.10–11.55: Michael Davis will present on succession and board development, bringing to life his experience as an FE Chair but his wider experience outside of FE.
• 11.55–12.40: Giles Peel will present on risk, spotting the warning signs, board resilience and overseeing change such as mergers and AI.
• 12.40–13.30: Lunch and networking
• 13.30–14.15: Helene Usherwood and Paul Aristides will present on board recruitment and diversity, bringing real examples of real life situations as well as sharing their experience and thoughts about some of the more typical challenges facing FE Boards.
• 14.15–15.15: Breakout group session
• 15.15–15.30: Feedback, questions and event concludes.

Our speakers 

Michael Davis | Chair of Governors at Capital City College and Chief Executive of NatCen | LinkedIn

Prior to joining NatCen, Michael held senior leadership positions at Kantar, where he served as Chief Business Performance Officer, and Ecorys as UK Managing Director, an international policy research and consultancy firm. He also served as Chief Executive of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, where he led initiatives to improve vocational training and employment opportunities. Michael is strong advocate for further education, serving as Chair of Governors of Capital City College. His commitment to vocational education recognised by a Fellowship from the London City & Guilds Institute in 2016. Over the years Michael has held a number of Non-Exec and advisory roles in both the public and private sector covering education, employment, and small businesses; once Chairman of a photographic accessory manufacturer. Michael was recently appointed a Trustee of the RSA.

Giles Peel BSc FCG | Governance & Risk Specialist; Former Head of Governance Advisory Practice, DAC Beachcroft | LinkedIn

A governance and risk specialist and the Managing Director of DCO Partners, an independent advisory practice working with boards and senior leadership teams across financial services, insurance, health, and the wider public sector. His career includes senior governance roles such as Head of the Governance Advisory Practice at DAC Beachcroft and earlier executive roles including Managing Director of Capita Company Secretarial Services and Executive Director at a major NHS hospital. His first career was in the Royal Navy, where he rose to the rank of Captain and held a range of senior appointments at sea and in Whitehall. Giles is a highly experienced Independent Non‑Executive Director, having served on a range of boards and committees across regulated sectors. He currently sits on the board of Combat Stress, the UK’s leading veterans’ mental health charity. His non‑executive portfolio has also included positions in financial services, health, and a FinTech company, alongside chairing a national charity.   A Chartered Secretary and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, Giles is widely regarded for authoring complex governance reviews.

Hosted by 

Paul Aristides | Partner and Head of FE Practice | Anderson Quigley | LinkedIn

Specialising in senior executive and non‑executive recruitment across further education, skills, schools and government‑linked bodies. He brings over eighteen years’ experience in education recruitment, following senior roles at GatenbySanderson and Veredus, and earlier positions in higher and professional education. Notable appointments he has led include CEOs across major FE groups and national skills bodies. Paul is also Vice Chair of Bridge Academy Trust, an eleven‑school multi‑academy trust in Essex, bringing governance insight and a commitment to strengthening leadership across education.

Helene Usherwood | Senior Partner and Board Practice Lead| Anderson Quigley | LinkedIn

Over twenty years’ headhunting experience across health, education, arts, and government. Since joining in 2018, she has established AQ’s Advisory offering which includes board reviews, mentoring/coaching, the NED Exchange and leads on non-executive recruitment across AQ, as well as executive level roles in not-for-profit and health. She is known for strengthening board diversity and supporting candidates exploring non‑executive careers for the first time. Helene’s extensive networks across public and private sectors underpin her advisory work, providing tailored guidance on governance, leadership and board development