NEWBURY COLLEGE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Vice Principal - Central Services
Chris was a secondary school deputy head teacher before joining Hampshire's Inspection and Advisory Service in 1988, retiring in 2008 from the post of County Strategy Manager. He has had 30 years' experience as a governor in secondary schools, chairing a number of committees, including personnel, curriculum and general purposes, as well as the head teacher's performance management review group.
He also served on the interim executive boards of two Hampshire secondary schools, joining the governing bodies subsequently.
He had 18 years of experience as a governor trainer as part of his school improver role as a local authority senior inspector/adviser. As an accredited school improvement partner and formerly link inspector, he worked with a number of schools in challenging circumstances so that they improved. He was an Ofsted registered inspector for primary and secondary schools from 1994-2000.
Chris has been serving as Governor since 2023 and is an experienced Chair. In 2022, Chris was awarded the Hampshire Education Governance Award.
Job Titles:
- External Member ( Vice Chair
- Professor
Professor Gavin Brooks has over 40 years of experience in the higher education (HE) and health sectors, including almost 20 years of senior executive-level leadership within different HE institutions. He has considerable experience in leading and delivering transformational change programmes, ranging from strategy development; to establishing and restructuring academic and professional support service departments; digital technology programmes; and governance reviews.
Until April 2022, Professor Gavin Brooks was Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) where he had overall responsibility for the day-to-day operation of all academic aspects of the University across all of its campuses and had direct line management responsibility for 11 senior leaders in different areas of the University.
He had many achievements and successes in his time at BNU, including leading the initial University's response to the Covid-19 pandemic, managing the University's exit from a complicated academic partnership arrangement that then secured the University‘s footprint at the prestigious Pinewood Studios; contributing to a significant growth in student numbers for the Institution; introducing substantial improvements to the academic promotion process; introducing an improved business planning process; and championing the growth of allied health at the University.
Prior to joining BNU, Gavin was at the University of Reading for 21 years, where he held a number of key strategic and leadership positions, including as: Head of two academic Schools; Dean of Faculty; Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor. He also has held several external appointments, including as Chair of the Buckinghamshire Skills Advisory Panel (2020-22) and Chair of the Study Higher Uni Connect Board (2016-22). He also is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
In addition to being a Governor on the Corporation Board of the College/UCN, and a member of the Remuneration and Strategy Development Committees, he also is Chair of the Curriculum and Quality Committee.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Principal
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Director of Safeguarding and Support
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Vice Principal - HE and Skills
Julian Cooper is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in advising and delivering investment solutions to companies, charities, and high-net-worth individuals. His expertise spans across public equity and bond markets, Alternatives, and Private Equity, emphasising optimal returns through strategic structuring.
Julian holds the prestigious titles of Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Securities and Investment and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, showcasing his deep knowledge and commitment to his field.
With a rich background that includes senior roles in Mergers and Acquisitions at renowned institutions such as Julius Baer, Barclays Wealth Management, and Deutsche Genossenschaftsbank, Julian's career is marked by leadership and innovation. He began his journey in the financial sector at KPMG, progressing through positions of increasing responsibility and impact.
Julian's academic foundation is equally impressive, holding a Master of Arts in Economics/History from the University of Cambridge, where he was recognized as an Economics Exhibitioner. His certifications as a Chartered Fellow CISI and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants further attest to his expertise and professional ethos.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Deputy Principal and Vice Principal - FE & Curriculum
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Director of Estates and Facilities
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Corporation
Sally Osmond has been a resident of Newbury since August 2015, having relocated to the new development on Newbury Racecourse with her husband. Despite her full-time employment at the time, Osmond quickly recognised the vibrant community spirit of Newbury and its surrounding areas, fostering a strong desire to engage and contribute to its future.
Osmond's professional journey began in Medical Biosciences, specialising in Clinical Chemistry and Immunology. She then transitioned into Clinical Drug Development, dedicating thirty-five years to planning and overseeing global clinical trials. Her senior leadership roles enabled her to hone her skills in management and finance, and she gained extensive experience in various strictly controlled environments. These experiences equipped her with a wealth of transferable skills, which she has since brought to her role at Newbury College. Additionally, Osmond has completed qualifications with the Institute of Directors, providing her with valuable tools for directorship in various institutions and businesses.
As she moved away from full-time employment, Osmond channelled her passion into nurturing the next generation of skilled professionals. She is dedicated to ensuring that individuals can realise their full potential and that employers can find the workforce they need to grow their businesses, all while aligning with the broader needs of the community.
Osmond's involvement with Newbury College began in early 2018. Initially, she joined the Board and the Audit Committee, eventually leading the Audit and Risk Committee. She served as Vice Chair of the Corporation Board for six months before assuming the role of Chair in July 2020. Under her leadership, Newbury College has witnessed several innovative developments, including the inauguration of the University Centre, the launch of a successful Football Academy, and the strategic sale of land assets to foster the college's growth in alignment with its ambitious plans.
Looking forward, Osmond is enthusiastic about the future prospects of Newbury College and is committed to playing a significant role in its continued development.