The Governing Body at DN Colleges Group oversees how we meet the needs of our students, ensures that we contribute effectively to our local and regional communities and guides our future.
The Corporation Board is the Governing Body of the DN Colleges Group, comprised of people from a range of backgrounds with a strong and diverse skillset, reflecting the community the Colleges serve, and includes staff and students.
The Corporation Board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the DN Colleges Group and to provide rigour and challenge to the Group Executive. In general terms, it is responsible for the quality of service that the Colleges offer to learners and the local community, as well as the College’s financial health.
In addition to the Board, the Corporation of the DN Colleges Group has the following committees, all of which report to the Corporation Board;
· Audit and Risk
· FE Performance and Quality
· Finance and Resources
· HE Performance and Quality
· Search, Governance and People
The Corporation also has representatives on the wholly-owned subsidiary companies’ Boards of Directors, i.e. Kingsway Consulting Ltd and Optime Support Limited.
The Corporation Board is audited to ensure compliance with legal and relevant regulatory requirements. A statement of Corporate Governance and Internal Control is published each year in the Annual Financial Statements confirming compliance, including the arrangements for risk management.
Membership of the Corporation Board is determined by the Board following advice and guidance from the Search, Governance and People Committee.
If you are interested in finding out more, or if you would like to become a Governor, please contact the Clerk to the Corporation (college.governors@dncolleges.ac.uk)
Governing Body Policies and Procedures
As part of our commitment to transparency and to follow best practice in governance matters, we publish key policies and procedures that outline how we organise and operate our governing body.
2026-2027 Calendar of Meetings
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Corporation Standing Orders
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Instruments and Articles of Government
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Governing Body Published Minutes
Corporation Board
Finance and Resources
Audit
Search, Governance and People
Further Education Performance and Quality
Higher Education Performance and Quality
Meet our Governors
Our Governing Body is a strong team that brings together skills from the public and private sectors, education and business and represents our local and regional communities.
Angela Briggs
Chair of Governors
Angela Briggs is our Chair of Governors of the DN Colleges Group. She sits on a number of committees: Finance & Resources; Search and Governance; Curriculum, Quality & Performance; and Higher Education Performance & Quality.
Peter Grant
Vice Chair
Peter joined DN Colleges in 2021 as a governor and appointed vice chair in 2025, alongside being chair of the Finance and Resource Committee. Peter has been a chartered accountant since 2014 holding senior positions within the NHS in London, Manchester and Humberside, he is currently the Operations Director at NHS Humber Health Partnership.
Lee Walker
Vice Chair of Governors
Lee spent most of his career working in financial services before joining Drax Group plc in 2016 as Head of Group Risk and Internal Audit. He sits on DN Colleges Group’s Audit and Risk Committee.
John Rees
Chief Executive Officer of DN Colleges Group
John joined DN Colleges Group as Chief Executive Officer in August 2022 and has worked in the FE sector since 1996. He started his career in teaching roles in Lincolnshire, before progressing into curriculum management and then into senior leadership roles in Warwickshire and West Yorkshire.
Sharon Harmon
Clerk to the Corporation
Sharon Harmon is our Clerk to the Corporation. Sharon joined DN Colleges Group in August 2022. Sharon is an experienced Governance Professional with several years of governance experience within the education sector.
Sue worked in the NHS for over 40 years in varied roles including specialist care of children, supporting young adults achieve independence when moving from children’s services to the adult sector, and teaching medical skills to doctors in training.
Dan is Chief Executive at Doncaster Chamber of Commerce, an organisation that supports and represents South Yorkshire businesses. He also has significant non-executive experience with organisations such as Cast Theatre, Finance for Enterprise, the South Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, and other organisations in the education sector. Dan has spent most of his life living and working in Yorkshire and has a Master’s Degree in Politics from the University of Sheffield.
Helen Kirby-Hawkins is a Product Experience Specialist BDM at Technology One. She
Andrew is a graduate of Loughborough University and a Chartered Management Accountant. His career has included roles in diverse industries, including aerospace, wines and spirits, clothing and electricity generation.
Helena Nyanzu is an experienced tax and finance professional with a strong background in corporate tax, financial management and strategic advisory.
Segun Odumoye is Head of Risk Management at Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, where he works closely with leaders to support sound decision making and the management of uncertainty.
Jug Johal is an experienced executive board director who brings extensive leadership and strategic expertise to his role as a Governor at DN Colleges Group. He is committed to supporting the Group’s mission to deliver high-quality education, training, and skills development that meet the needs of learners, employers, and communities across the region.
Mike is an experienced senior leader within the Education, Training and Skills Sector. A Music graduate and qualified teacher, he has worked in Schools, the Music Industry, Independent Training Providers and Further Education Colleges in senior roles since 1996.