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, and the Local Stakeholder Boards, the Corporation of the DN Colleges Group has the following committees, all of which report to the Corporation Board;
- Audit and Risk
- Curriculum, Quality and Performance
- Finance and Resources
- Higher Education Performance and Quality
- Search and Governance
The Corporation also has representatives on the wholly-owned subsidiary companies’ Boards of Directors, i.e. DC.Teach Limited, Kingsway Consulting Ltd and Optime Support Limited; and on the Equality and Diversity Committee, Safeguarding Committee and Health and Safety Committee.
The Corporation Board is audited to ensure it complies with legislation, the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s financial memorandum and the Post 16 Audit Code of Practice. 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 and Governance Committee.
The Corporation is actively seeking new members of the Group Corporation Board and the Local Stakeholder Boards.
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.
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2022-2023 Calendar of Meetings
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Code of Conduct for Corporate Members
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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 and Governance
Curriculum, Quality and Performance
Higher Education Performance and Quality
People and Transformation
Committee Terms of Reference
- Audit and Risk Terms of Reference 2022-2023
- Curriculum, Quality and Performance Terms of Reference 2022-2023
- Finance and Resources Terms of Reference 2022-2023
- Higher Education Performance and Quality Terms of Reference 2022-2023
- People and Transformation Terms of Reference 2022-2023
- Search and Governance Terms of Reference 2022-2023
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.

Mark Swales
Vice Chair of Governors
Mark has lived in South Yorkshire for 29 years. He attended school in Goole and Selby and is a graduate of Sheffield City Polytechnic where he studied Hotel, Catering and Institutional Management.

John Rees
Principal and Chief Executive Officer of DN Colleges Group
John is Principal and Chief Executive Officer of DN Colleges Group, which incorporates North Lindsey and Doncaster Colleges. John joined DN Colleges Group as Chief Executive in August 2022 and has worked in the FE sector for the last 26 years. 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.

Born in Castleford and now living in South Yorkshire Antony qualified as a solicitor, specialising in Family Law, in 2000 and is now Legal Director at Keebles LLP, Doncaster.

Ruth was born in Scunthorpe where her father worked in the steel industry, then moved to Brigg where family members still live today. Ruth went to Doncaster at 18 to train as a teacher and has been involved in the Education sector throughout her life.

Greg has worked in the steel industry for over 20 years and is currently the Manager for Strategy and Business Development within Liberty Speciality Steels.

Peter was born and raised in Hull before completing his degree in economics at the University of Hull that included studying abroad in both Germany and the Netherlands.

Karen has lived in South Yorkshire for over 50 years. She attended school in Brinsworth and holds a BSC in Genetics from the University of Liverpool. She trained as a chartered accountant at KPMG.

Emma Kirk
Staff Governor
Emma has worked at North Lindsey College now part of the DN Colleges Group for 26 years starting as an Early Years practitioner in the College Nursery.

Preetha Kumar has over 20 years of experience within Financial Services, Retail, Health Services, and Technology organisations in India, US, and UK leading and managing various IT and Operational audits including assurance on technology transformation activities. Preetha works as an Associate Director heading the Technology, Risk and Assurance team of AuditOne which is an NHS consortium based in Northeast of England.

Paul has lived in Doncaster since childhood, studying A level’s in Rossington. He has worked in retail for 25 years and is a Director for DFS holding responsibility for Financial Services, compliance, audit, risk and H&S, and is a member of the International Compliance Association.

Lee was born and bred in Doncaster went to Hungerhill and Danum Schools before graduating from the University of Lancaster with a degree in American Studies. On his return to Doncaster in the mid-1990s Lee joined Doncaster Council and has over 20 years’ pubic service experience in a variety of roles including Planning, Economic Development, Education and Skills, and Policy and Performance.

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.

Andrea was born in Northern Ireland, her career has spanned various industries at locations across the UK before moving into Education, and she now lives in Sheffield. This 20-year experience spanned companies in the Mobile Phone, Beer, Banking, TV, Equipment Hire and Social Care industries, developing skills in Sales and Marketing, Training, Leadership, Management Development and Organisational Development and Human Resources.