Corporation Members

Christopher Evans

Chair of the Board

Chris’s last 10 years in Financial Services were spent developing and providing retirement income services for people with health conditions. Before moving to Dorset – Chaired a regional charity supporting young people with learning difficulties.

Richard William Barker

Vice Chair of the Board

Richard William Barker is a seasoned retail professional with extensive experience in commercial and educational governance. He has held senior management and board director positions with leading retailers, including Waterstone’s Booksellers, Blackwell Retail Ltd., The Stationery Office and Post Office Ltd. He has also served as Chairman of Book Tokens Ltd. and Book Marketing Ltd.

Richard’s background in commercial strategy, business acumen and corporate leadership is complemented by his experience as a Chair of Governors, demonstrating a strong commitment to education and governance.

Kate Wills

Principal & CEO

Kate Wills is the Principal and CEO of Weymouth and Kingston Maurward College, leading the institution through an exciting period of growth and development. With over 20 years of experience in further and higher education, she brings extensive expertise in leadership, curriculum development, and strategic planning.

Previously, Kate served as Deputy Principal at The Cornwall College Group, a large further education provider with multiple campuses. Her experience in managing complex educational organisations enables her to drive innovation and excellence in teaching, learning, and student support.

Kate plays a key role in strengthening the college’s position as a leading provider of education and training in Dorset. She is committed to ensuring the college continues to meet local industry needs, creating opportunities for students and fostering a collaborative and inclusive learning environment. Under her leadership, the college continues to evolve, equipping students with the skills needed for future success.

John Bullen

John has a 30-year background in civil engineering and airport management, including leading on major projects such as Heathrow Terminal 5. He has managed large operational teams with full budgetary accountability and served as a crisis leader at Heathrow during periods of operational disruption. Throughout his career, he has maintained a strong focus on safety and workforce development.

Following his corporate career, John ran his own business, providing project management, interim leadership, and mentoring in business, careers, and leadership. He has supported Dorset SMEs, charities, and students on the Chartered Management Apprenticeship at Portsmouth University. He also chaired a not-for-profit employment and workforce training intermediary for 10 years.

Hannah Crocker

Staff Governor

Hannah Crocker holds a BA (Hons) in Global Business Management and a Level 6 CMI qualification in Professional Management and Leadership Practice. With over 23 years in the education sector, she leads Student Administration at Weymouth and Kingston Maurward College, overseeing admissions, transport, bursaries, and reception services. She also has extensive experience in examination coordination.

Committed to continuous improvement and excellent customer service, Hannah is passionate about creating a positive student experience and ensuring efficient administrative support throughout their educational journey.

Rod Davis

Rod Davis is a professional Electronics Engineer with extensive experience in both the engineering and post-16 education sectors. His career began with an MoD Engineering apprenticeship, followed by a Higher Education qualification from Bournemouth University. After qualifying as a teacher in adult education, he transitioned into leadership roles within the further education sector.

With 30 years of experience, Rod has successfully developed independent training providers and played a key role in apprenticeship schemes. He serves as Managing Director and Chair of the Dorset and Somerset Training Provider Network, Co-Chair of the Dorset Skills Board, and Deputy Chair of the Dorset Careers Hub. His expertise spans funding regulations, compliance, business finance and quality improvement in education.

Jacqui Gerrard

Jacqui was appointed in 2018 as an Associate Member after moving to live in Weymouth, and took up full membership in March 2019.

Jacqui has extensive organisational development and strategic HR experience working in executive director and consultancy roles in commercial technology and telecommunications companies and in central government organisations and NHS Trusts.

She has previously been a Governor and Chair of a Sixth Form College in Surrey. During her time as Chair, the college merged with an FE college to increase the range of study pathways available to local students.

Dawn Harvey

Dawn Harvey is Chief People Officer within the NHS and has a career spanning over 30 years in both the private and public sectors. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, an executive coach and mentor and trained mediator. She has held senior leadership positions in sales, operations, learning and organisational development and HR and is passionate about creating inclusive environments where people can thrive.

Since joining the NHS in 2011, Dawn has led award-winning staff experience improvements and delivered major change and transformation. She relocated to Dorset in 2021 and enjoys walking, cycling, and swimming, making the most of the region’s stunning coast and countryside.

Ralph Hrustinszki

Student Governor

Graham Ledden

Graham Ledden is a retired Chartered Accountant with a wealth of experience in financial management within the education sector. After qualifying in accountancy with EY, he spent much of his career in senior financial roles within the NatWest Group. He later served as Finance Director in the care sector before transitioning to education in 2008.

For nine years, Graham was Vice Principal for Business and Finance and Deputy CEO at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire, overseeing financial strategy and operational management. He is also Treasurer of the England Colleges Rugby Football Union, bringing further experience in financial governance and the education sector.

Anne Munro

Anne Munro is a Learning Facilitator in the School of Construction at Weymouth & Kingston Maurward College, supporting students in carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation and brickwork. With over 30 years in education, she previously spent 15 years as a Lecturer in English as a Foreign Language and Programme Manager at the University of Plymouth, alongside teaching roles in Italy and France.

As a staff governor, Anne is committed to collaboration, transparency and ensuring staff voices are heard in decision-making. She values inclusivity and continuous development, bringing experience from higher education committees to support the college’s mission and student experience.

Angela Neuberger

Angela Neuberger (also known as Angela Holdsworth) has a background in media, broadcasting, and governance, with a 20-year career at the BBC as a producer and editor of documentaries and current affairs. She later worked as an independent executive producer and authored Out of the Doll’s House: A History of Women in the 20th Century.

Angela has served as a Non-Executive Director for several trusts and is involved in diversity and equality initiatives. Her expertise spans press and media, higher education, and governance, bringing valuable insight to her roles in education and community organisations.

Nicola Newman

Nicola Newman is an experienced Non-Executive Director, CEO and Executive Director with a background in leadership, governance, strategic communications and skills. She has worked across the education, sport, charity and corporate sectors.  Nicola has previously run an executive search consultancy and a public relations and events business.

She currently leads the Local Skills Improvement Plan for Dorset Chamber and the Department for Education. In addition, she chairs the Dorset Skills Board and serves as the Governors’ Careers Link for the College and The Swanage School. Her knowledge of economic and skills development policy, coupled with her leadership in government and commerce, brings valuable insight to the college board.

Sophie Payne

Student Governor

Kay Taylor

Kay Taylor retired in 2019 as Executive Principal of the Minerva Learning Trust, a group of primary and secondary schools in Bridport. Prior to this, she served as Headteacher of The Sir John Colfox Academy, following a long career in education.

Originally from Northern Ireland, Kay studied at the University of Aberdeen before teaching history in Scotland, Hemel Hempstead, and Milton Keynes. She moved to Bridport in 1993 to take up a Deputy Head role and has since played a key part in the region’s educational leadership. She is also a Non-Executive Director on the Integrated Care Board for NHS Dorset.

Steve Webb

Steve Webb has extensive experience in advanced manufacturing and operations management. With a degree in Applied Science, he spent a decade designing high-voltage electronic products before transitioning into manufacturing management. As a former Managing Director of a medium-sized company operating in both Poole and Suzhou, China, he brings expertise in general management, international business and operational continuous improvement.

Now semi-retired, he undertakes contract work in operations management. Steve has a strong interest in fostering relationships between the College and local businesses to ensure education aligns with regional industry needs.

Alison Lydon

Director of Governance

Alison moved down from the Midlands having worked as Director of Governance  at Queen Alexandra College for a number of years and as Company Secretary at SEMTA and Toyota UK prior to that.  She is Chartered Company Secretary and has completed both FE Governance and school governance qualifications in addition to this, as well as spending a time as a governor of her local college.

A Register of Interests covering all board members and key staff is maintained by the Clerk in accordance with the Instrument of Government and is available for inspection on request to  Alison_Lydon@weymouth.ac.uk