City College Norwich Governors
The Corporation of City College Norwich consists of up to 18 Governor members. The College Governors serve in a voluntary capacity for initially a period of four years and can generally serve up to two terms of four years.
Governors elect a Chair and Vice Chair from amongst their number. In addition to attending Corporation Board meetings, Governors also serve as members of one or two of the committees which undertake the detailed work of the Corporation during the year.
Under the Corporation’s constitution (Instrument & Articles of Government), the Governors are appointed to the Corporation by the full Board. Additionally, the Principal serves as a Governor, two Staff Governors are elected by staff and three Student Governors are elected by students at the College.
The current City College Norwich Governors can be viewed below.
Sarah Appleton
Sarah is a Partner at a law firm in Norwich. Her expertise lies in HR and employment law, with a particular focus on equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Norfolk born and bred, Sarah is committed to the local Norfolk community and ensuring the wellbeing of the staff and students at CCN, both via the application for her skill set to practices at the college, and more generally in shaping its future and direction.
Marcus Bailey (Interim Chair)
Shirley Barker (Staff Governor)
Shirley is a Staff Governor and has worked at the college for over 10 years. She is motivated to ensure that the most efficient and effective work is being carried out to ensure that all staff and students have a positive journey at college. Being a Staff Governor means that Shirley can have a say in the big decisions and forward strategy for the college and in her own small way make a difference.
Noel Bartram
Noel is an experienced businessman with a background in finance. He is a non-Executive Director or Chairman in a variety of different businesses. He has been a Governor in a preparatory school in the private sector and more recently a Governor of Paston Sixth Form College in North Walsham, now part of City College Norwich.
His particular areas of interest are strategy, governance and risk management.
Jock Downie
Currently the Head of Wellbeing (Access & Early Intervention) at UEA, Jock has spent the last 16 years working in the Education Sector including 11 years in Student Services at City College Norwich.
Jock's focus throughout his career in education has been on wellbeing, including the safeguarding of students. He has supported services in higher and further education to develop clear processes and working practices that help students find a balance between looking after their own wellbeing and being able to reach their academic potential.
Jock aims to bring the knowledge and passion he has developed while working in both HE and FE to the Governing Board, ensuring that the College remains at the forefront of education in Norfolk.
Jock hopes his passion for wellbeing, and harnessing the skills and knowledge of a work force will help City College Norwich to continue to thrive and work for the best interests of students.
Sean Green
Sean's background is working class with parents who immigrated to the UK. His family were fortunate to benefit from social housing and had supportive teachers who encouraged and believed in him at High School. Education has always been an enabler throughout his career, leading to his current role as Director of Digital and Data at the UEA. He has strong digital, data and technology skills and board experience in health, education and local government. He looks to use his knowledge and skills to support the future success of City College Norwich.
Phil Gormley (Interim Vice-Chair)
Between 2020 and 2024 Phil was the CEO of East Anglia Children’s Hospices; prior to that he had a 35-year career in policing and law enforcement serving as Chief Constable of Norfolk, Director General National Crime Agency, Chief Constable Police Scotland and Her Majesty’s Inspector of Police, Fire and Rescue. Phil is a non-executive Director, trustee and chairman of a number of local businesses and charities. He is passionately committed to Norfolk and helping young people fulfil their potential.
Joe McNeill
Joe is an Operations Manager for Flagship Group. Previously a Higher Education Student with City College Norwich, Joe qualified as a Chartered Manager, where he was awarded City College Norwich, Higher and Degree Level Apprentice of the Year in 2022.
Joe is passionate about the benefits of education, in supporting the development of others to reach their full potential. With a drive for excellence, Joe is keen to contribute his expertise to the continued growth and success of the college. Through his leadership skills, Joe aims to foster an environment of innovation, inclusivity and academic achievement for all students and staff.
Philip Pearce
Life is what you make it, but to make it you need the opportunity. City College Norwich can open doors to allow students the opportunity. As a Governor, Philip seeks to use his experience in the insurance industry, corporate governance and risk management to assist the college to keep the doors open.
Lacey Ross (Student Governor - SU President)
Lacey is our Students’ Union President and studied BTEC Creative Media at Paston College. She is passionate about community, inclusion, and amplifying the student voice.
Freddie Simpson (Student Governor)
Freddie was the Student's Union President from 2024-2025. He is now in higher education studying Aviation Maintenance Engineering. He is passionate about communicating the views of students, particularly making sure the voices of HE students are heard.
Laura Stewart (Staff Governor)
Lucy Sydney
Lucy is a career civil servant with broad experience of communications and stakeholder engagement, policy development and implementation, governance and strategy. She is a Director at the qualifications regulator Ofqual, with a particular interest in vocational and technical qualifications and apprenticeships. Born and raised near North Walsham, she returned to Norfolk in 2005.
Jill Wade
It is a privilege to be appointed as a Governor of City College Norwich.
My long career has focussed on people, change and leadership roles including working with large financial services firms, industry bodies and regulators.
I’ve been recognised as an industry SME within the HR, L&D, talent and capability arena and I’m passionate about lifelong learning and how this transforms the lives of individuals and organisational success.
It’s a great feeling to be able to apply my past experiences, and skills, to the education sector. Roles include NED / Committee Chair at Citizens Advice (CADAT) and mentor.
Jerry White
Jerry began his professional career in Kent as a university lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science. He worked for Norfolk County Council’s Adult Education Service from 2002 before joining City College Norwich in 2009. He was Deputy Principal from 2013 and became Principal and Chief Executive Officer in 2022.
Jerry holds Board memberships on Norwich City Council Towns Deal Board, the Agri-Food Industry Council for Norfolk and Suffolk and the New Anglia Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Industry Council.
Jerry is the FE sector representative on the Children and Young People Strategic Alliance (CYPSA) for Norfolk and the Norfolk Education and Training Strategy Group. Nationally, Jerry chairs the Association of College’s (AoC) Workforce Strategy Group and serves on the AoC’s 2030 group.
He is currently a Trustee of the Forum Trust in Norwich and of the Food and Farming Discovery Trust.