Trustees

Peter Cooper became Principal of Hereford Sixth Form College in September 2017, having been the Deputy Principal at the College for a significant period during which the College gained two outstanding Ofsted inspections and became the inaugural TES Sixth Form College of the Year in 2016. Peter has worked on Academy Trusts and was a member of the British Colleges’ Sports Board for a number of years, due to his interest in student life beyond the classroom. Peter previously worked in schools and at Priestley College in Warrington, having graduated in Chemistry from Nottingham.

Ken is a former Parish Priest, College Chaplain, Dean of Students and Pro-Vice Chancellor of Kingston University. Ken holds degrees in English and Theology, a Doctorate in English and a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Supervision.

Sheila is Head of Operations, Education & Quality for the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Birmingham. She started her career with Halifax PLC becoming an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers specialising in administration and staff management. Sheila is also the Musical Director for the Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society.

Marion’s early post-graduate career involved working in multi-national industrial companies, becoming a Chartered Engineer in technical posts at Rolls-Royce and Marconi Space Systems and Project Manager at ICI. A career change led Marion to become a Chartered Accountant at PWC, a Faculty Accountant at Durham University and Finance Manager at DU Business School. Marion currently acts as a Business Consultant.

Craig has run his own specialist digital marketing company, based in Birmingham, since 2000, having started his career with Unilever in the mid-1980s. He is also a non-executive director of Engaging Communities Solutions, a Community Interest Company operating in the healthcare arena. Craig was formerly the Vice-Chair of Governors at King Edward VI College, Stourbridge.

Katie is a Policy and Public Affairs Manager for The Scouts Association. Prior to this, she worked in the Civil Service in various roles focusing on Education, Youth and Labour Market policy in Westminster. Katie was a former student of Hereford Sixth Form College before completing a degree in English and Drama at Queen Mary College, University of London.

Peter has nearly 30 years’ experience as a school governor including acting as Chair of Hallow CE Primary and Vice-Chair at the Chantry School. Peter is Joint Managing Director of a Gloucestershire based Communications, Incentive and Events Agency which he co-founded in 1999. Born and raised in Exeter, he has lived in Worcester for over 35 years.

Daniel graduated from Bristol University in 1971 with a degree in Politics and Philosophy. Thereafter, he trained as a Barrister in London and practiced as such (and from 1998 as a QC) until he was appointed a Circuit Judge in 2004 sitting in Worcester and Hereford. He retired in December 2019 although continues to sit part-time. Daniel is a Bencher of the Middle Temple.

Rachel was appointed as CEO of Stour Vale Academy Trust in October 2021. Stour Vale is a growing trust made up of primary and secondary schools. Rachel began her teaching career in 1994 working as a teacher and then a senior leader in primary schools in Leeds and Sandwell. In 2009 Rachel began the first of two successful primary headships in the West Midlands.

Shirley works as an Interim Finance Director in the FE Sector. She is an Economics graduate and a Fellow of CIPFA. She was previously a Director of Finance at Richmond-upon-Thames College, following a number of years as Education Finance Manager for Slough LEA. Shirley is also the Treasurer of Almeley PCC.

Jonathan was the Principal of Hereford Sixth Form College for twenty years, having previously worked at colleges in Henley on Thames, Huddersfield and Worcester. On retiring in 2017, Jonathan was made a Senior Fellow in the Institute of Education at the University of Worcester. He read Chemistry at Jesus College, Oxford, and after gaining a Doctorate in peptide Chemistry, worked in the pharmaceutical industry before becoming a teacher. In 2013, Jonathan was awarded an OBE for services to education.

Sam is Audit Partner at BDO and leads their Not for Profit Team in the Midlands which she is passionate about developing and growing. She has 18 years experience of providing external audit services across a range of sectors, but in the last 12 years has predominantly focused on the Not for Profit sector. Sam is an accredited BDO specialist in delivering external audit services in the Education, Housing and Charities sub-sectors.

Jamie has been Headteacher at The Earls High School since 2019 and has been part of the leadership team since 2008. As a Deputy Headteacher he was responsible for curriculum and raising achievement. 

In the school’s most recent inspection in January 2020, the school was assessed as Good in all areas with significant strengths identified in Personal Development and Leadership.

Jamie is currently seconded for part of the week to Stour Vale Academy Trust as an Executive Leader.