NCG Corporation - Board Recruitment

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in joining our Board.

NCG is one of the largest and highest profile college groups in England and is unique in that it is the only college group with a national footprint. With a turnover of over £170m and seven colleges teaching over 35,000 learners, we are certainly one the most impactful college groups in the country.

We have been on an impressive yet complex journey over the last six years and have succeeded in growing our provision against a backdrop of external challenges by remaining focused on the quality of our student experience, provision and financial position.

Our latest Ofsted report underscores our achievements and unwavering commitment to both student success and aligning with industry demands. Having received a ‘Good’ ranking with no areas of concern and with ‘Good’ financial health, we can now focus on our strategy which has recently been refreshed for the next five years. Our overarching mission is to ‘enable social mobility and economic prosperity through exceptional education’ and we remain steadfast to this.

We are seeking to appoint three new governors to our Board, each with a specific skill set to help us grow and develop in different ways. Strategic leadership, at a significant scale, in fields such as IT/cyber, marketing, finance, higher education compliance, school leadership and manufacturing are areas of interest.

All of our governors have a passion for self-development through education and a shared understanding of the important role that NCG plays in developing individuals and bringing prosperity to our various regions.

We are looking for people who are comfortable in offering constructive feedback, happy to ask those difficult questions that help us think differently, and individuals who are willing to make a commitment to be visible and supportive advocates of NCG.

These are voluntary positions with the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of students and staff at NCG, providing successful applicants with valuable board and strategic leadership experience to enhance your own professional development, whilst working with a diverse group of talented individuals.

If you would like to have an informal conversation, please do contact our recruitment partners at Anderson Quigley.

We look forward to hearing from you.

John Widdowson CBE
Chair of Corporation

About

NCG is proud to be one of the UK’s leading college groups, consisting of seven colleges across the UK:

Carlisle College
Kidderminster College
Lewisham College
Newcastle College
Newcastle Sixth Form College
Southwark College
West Lancashire College

OUR VISION
To be the UK’s leading college group, recognised for our local impact, national influence and reach.

OUR MISSION
To enable social mobility and economic prosperity through exceptional education.

OUR GOVERNANCE MODEL
You will be joining NCG at an exciting time as we implement and embed a new and dynamic model of governance which we refer to as place-based
governance.

PLACE-BASED GOVERNANCE
Place-based governance is a collaborative model of governance in which NCG college boards draw on the skills, knowledge and experience of local communities
to address the learning and skills needs of their populations. As the accountable legal entity, the NCG Corporation Board, supported by a discrete number of sub-committees, focuses on strategic planning and risk, monitoring of overall resources and Group performance. In contrast, the place-based governance model in operation at college board level, focuses on engaging directly with local communities regarding the educational provision on offer. In this way, stakeholder voice creates boards and colleges which are truly responsive to the communities they serve. You can read more about our place-based governance model here.

OUR GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
As a Corporation Board Governor, it is anticipated that you will join one or more of the Corporation Board sub-committees below (subject to capacity and relevant subject matter expertise).

View our current Board of Governors here and our current Committee Membership here.

The role

Board Members (AQ3191)

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ROLE PROFILE

Independent Governors play a pivotal role in the success of NCG and its colleges. Acting in a non-executive role, they contribute to the effective oversight and governance of the governing body (the ‘Corporation’) by providing their professional and personal expertise on NCG’s strategic direction and on important decisions made. Our Governors come from a range of different backgrounds and have a range of different skills and life experiences but all share the common interest of wanting the best possible experience and outcomes for NCG’s students.

Role of the NCG Corporation Board

The role of the Corporation Board is to:

Set the strategy.
Set the organisational values and culture.
Hold management to account.
Monitor performance.
Ensure sufficient resources are available to deliver the organisational strategy.
Ensure engagement with all key stakeholders.

Responsibilities of the Corporation Board

As the accountable legal entity, the Corporation is responsible for the financial health of the Group and has a statutory duty to safeguard the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. The responsibilities of the Corporation Board are set out in the NCG Instrument & Articles of Government as follows:

Determining and periodically reviewing the educational character and mission of the institution and the oversight of its activities.
Publishing arrangements for obtaining the views of staff and students on the determination and periodic review of the educational character and mission of the institution and the oversight of its activities.
Reviewing how well the education and / or training provided meets local needs and considering what actions could be taken to better meet those needs (in light of the review).
Approving the quality strategy of the institution.
The effective and efficient use of resources, the solvency of the institution and the Corporation and safeguarding their assets.
Approving annual estimates of income and expenditure.
The appointment, grading, suspension, dismissal and determination of the pay and conditions of service of the holders of senior posts and the Clerk.
Setting a framework for the pay and conditions of service of all other staff.

Role of the Independent Governor

The role of the Independent Governor is to contribute to the robust governance of NCG and provide constructive challenge to the executive leadership in a spirit of openness, accountability and mutual respect. Each Governor brings a mix of knowledge, skills and abilities which are unique, but which complement those of other Governors to provide a range of expertise which aims to facilitate effective strategic decision-making.

Responsibilities of the Independent Governor

A summary of key responsibilities is provided below (note this is non-exhaustive):
To have regard to the interests of learners, staff, stakeholders and the wider community in considering the work of the Group at a strategic level.
To comply with the provisions of NCG’s key governing documents as they apply to members of the Corporation (e.g. Instrument and Articles of Government, Standing Orders, Governor Code of Conduct, Financial Regulations etc.)
To act in the best interests of NCG.
To foster good relations between NCG and the communities it serves.
To prepare for, attend and actively participate in meetings of the Corporation.
To participate in Corporation committees, subject to availability and in accordance with your professional knowledge, skills and expertise.
To attend NCG events (such as student awards presentations and open days/evenings) to gain an appreciation of the work of the colleges and to meet students and staff.
To participate in Governor induction, training and development activities to develop knowledge and skills.
To promote the effective implementation of the college’s equality and diversity policies in relation to all aspects of the duties of the role.
To promote the effective implementation and oversight of the Corporations statutory responsibilities in relation to the safeguarding of all learners and staff. To be willing to undertake any additional Governors duties as may be required from time to time by mutual consent.
Governors are also expected to be aware of, accept and abide by the seven principles of public life (the ‘Nolan Principals’).

NCG is an exempt Charity and our Corporation Board Governors must comply with the roles and responsibilities of Charity Trustees as set out by the Charity Commission as follows:

Ensure the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit.
Comply with the charity’s governing document and the law.
Act in the charity’s best interests.
Manage the charity’s resources responsibly.
Act with reasonable care and skill.
Ensure the charity is accountable.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

All Governors should be able to demonstrate:

Knowledge of NCG’s vision, mission and values.
An active interest in further and higher education.
A commitment to lifelong learning and the role of the FE college as a major provider of education and training.
A commitment to quality and raising standards.
A willingness to promote NCG across the various communities it serves.
The ability to work positively with others and to contribute as a member of a team.
The ability to shape and agree strategies and policies and ensure these are monitored and implemented.
A commitment to promoting and championing the importance of equality and diversity.
The ability to make reasoned decisions and to act honestly, diligently and in good faith.
The ability to contribute to establishing performance targets and the monitoring of performance against these.
A commitment to attend Board Meetings, Committees and Strategy Days and development events.
An ability to understand a broad-based view of issues and perceive their long-term strategic impact.
Good inter-personal skills, including discretion and diplomacy, to form and maintain sound and appropriate working relationships with individual members of the Board, the executive leadership and other external contacts.
An understanding of the legal and regulatory framework in further education.

In addition to the above, successful candidates must confirm that they are a “Fit and Proper person”, meet the eligibility criteria as set out in the Instrument & Articles and will abide by the Governor Code of Conduct, prior to appointment. Governors must also complete a declaration of interests upon appointment and annually thereafter.

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Governor FAQs

Governors play a pivotal role in the success of NCG and its colleges. Acting in a non-executive role, they contribute to the effective oversight and governance of the governing body (the ‘Corporation’) by providing their professional and personal expertise on NCG’s strategic direction and on important decisions made. Our Governors come from a range of different backgrounds and have a range of different skills and life experiences but all share the common interest of wanting the best possible experience and outcomes for NCG’s students.

What is the role of the Corporation Board Governor?
NCG Corporation Board Governors contribute to the robust governance of NCG and provide constructive challenge to the executive leadership in a spirit of openness, accountability and mutual respect. Each Governor brings a mix of knowledge, skills and abilities which are unique, but which complement those of other Governors to provide a range of expertise which aims to facilitate effective strategic decision-making. Governors work closely with each other to ensure that they understand the likely impact of Board decisions on all key stakeholders. This ensures that decisions are informed by key stakeholders and consider any potential impact on those stakeholders.
What is the Composition of the Corporation Board?
The NCG Instrument & Articles of Government provide for up to fifteen independent Governors, two Student Governors and two Staff Governors. The Chief Executive of NCG is also a member of the Corporation Board.
How Long is a Term of Office?
Independent Governors are usually appointed for a period of four years with an option to be reappointed for a second period of four years. Staff Governors are typically appointed for two years with an option to be reappointed for a second period of two years and Student Governors are usually appointed for one year, with an option to be reappointed for a second period of one year.
What is the Expected Time Commitment?
The Corporation Board meets five times each year with meetings generally lasting between two and three hours. Meetings are held in-person in Newcastle. Meeting dates are available from the Clerk. Governors may also be expected to occasionally attend development events such as the Annual Governors Conference. Governors will typically be a member of at least one Corporation Committee also. These meetings are held termly (3 times per year) and are held via Teams. In addition to attending and participating in meetings, all Governors are expected to prepare for meetings by reading the papers that are distributed in advance.
What happens at Board meetings?
Board meetings can cover a wide variety of topics ranging from estates and finance to key matters influencing learning and teaching. Prior to each meeting, an agenda and a pack of meeting papers will be distributed electronically for Governors to read. At the meeting, Governors discuss the agenda items and papers and make decisions which the Governance Professional then records as Minutes. Many of the items discussed at Board meetings are highly confidential and sensitive, and Governors must be prepared to keep this confidence at all times.
Is Training Provided?
You will receive an induction and training programme upon appointment. There are also external training and networking events available.
Are Governors Paid?
All NCG Governors are volunteers and are therefore not paid, however you will receive assistance with any extra costs such as travel to meetings, in line with the NCG Expenses policy. The Corporation also maintains adequate Liability Insurance to cover Governors.

How to apply

Anderson Quigley is acting as an employment advisor to NCG Corporation. An executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.

The closing date for applications is noon on 9 June 2025. To apply, please click on the Apply Now button at the top of the page.

Applications should consist of:

A full CV.
A covering letter setting out your interest in the role and details of how you match the criteria outlined in the person criteria.
Details of two referees, though please note that we will not approach your referees without your prior consent and only should you be shortlisted.
Complete the Governor Confirmation Statement

Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, please contact: Paul Aristides at paul.aristides@andersonquigley.com or Carolyn Coates at carolyn.coates@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7825 871 944.

Recruitment Timetable

Closing Date	9 June
Shortlisting	16 June
Final Panel Interviews	27 June (In Newcastle)

Appointment of Board Governors