TYNE COAST COLLEGE - Key Persons
Alain was born in Pyrenees in France and moved to the UK in 1964. High School educated in Warwick and left to join the Merchant Navy as a Deck Cadet with Silver Line in 1979.
Alain completed Class 3 (OOW Certificate) in 1983 and came ashore to operate in road transport. He joined Loughborough University of Technology in 1986 to read for a BSc (Hons) in Transport Management and Planning and joined the National Freight Corporation's Graduate training scheme becoming a Depot Manager with Pickfords Removals in 1990. Alain went back to sea in 1992 with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary serving in both dry cargo, fleet tankers and Landing ships, which included service in the Former Yugoslavian conflict for which the UN medal was awarded. Alain transferred to P & O Princess in 1996, after gaining Chief Mates certificate at South Tyneside College, then Joined Stena Line in 1999 on the Stranraer to Belfast ferry service after gaining a Masters Certificate of Competency at South Tyneside College.
Alain joined South Tyneside College as a lecturer in the Marine School in September 1999 and was promoted to Curriculum Leader for the HNC courses in Deck Officer of the Watch in 2015. Alain is currently in a second tenure of UCU Chair and made Staff Governor in 2016.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of Human Resources
Allyson joined Tyne Coast College in September 2023 bringing with her 35 years of generalist HR experience. She began her HR career in local government, working for two district councils in the North East.
She moved on to the private sector, working for an engineering and environmental company in the North East but, with 13 offices nationwide as well as offices in Germany, Italy and Romania.
In 2017 she moved into Adult Social Care, taking up a critical Operations Manager role, supporting through the Covid pandemic.
Allyson has a BA (Hons) in Business Studies and is Chartered CIPD Member.
After gaining a Business Studies degrees in 1981 Clive has spent his career in finance. Initially in banking and then into Local Government, starting off in Tyne and Wear CC, where he qualified as an accountant in 1985, before moving to the Education service at North Tyneside Council. In 1989 he moved to the NHS and worked in several local NHS bodies before finishing his career at the NHS Business Services Authority responsible for the provision of all financial services to a business with a turnover in excess of £36bn.
Throughout his career he has been involved and delivered major change programmes, mergers and consolidations, and developing new accounting and reporting practices. He is a qualified in PRINCE2 project management processes and has continued an intensive leadership development programme. Since retiring in 2019 Clive has been assisting in the strategic planning of a Housing organisation working in the Housing benefit exempt sector.
He is a past president of CIPFA in the North East and a member of the national Technical Information Service. Clive is also a member of the Cramlington LV MAT and Lay Chair of St Marks PCC.
Job Titles:
- Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants
Colin is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. He worked for KPMG from 1974 until 1997, becoming a partner in 1987. He then moved to Newcastle Building Society as Finance Director until 2006, when he became its Chief Executive, a position he held until his retirement in March 2010.
For several years, Colin has been involved with charitable organisations, including as a co-opted member of the Finance Committee of UK Community Foundations, the umbrella organisation for all CFs in the country; Treasurer of The Community Foundation, serving Tyne and Wear and Northumberland, and a trustee of Headway Arts, a charity based in Blyth, which uses performing arts as a means of inclusion for disadvantaged and less able people. He is also a former chairman of the MEA Trust.
Craig Scott's impressive track record of success across estates management and project delivery at Tyne Coast College and its brands has gone from strength to strength over two decades.
He began in management information systems (MIS) as a report writer in 2000 and by 2008 had been both IT systems manager and head of IT.
In 2014 Craig took responsibility for the management of the halls of residence at South Tyneside College (STC) - also overseeing catering and cleaning - and by 2015 he had taken the halls to Ofsted-rated 'Outstanding'.
Three years later he was appointed to his present post, which sees him lead on college estates, health and safety, MIS and libraries, and he is also Tyne Coast Colleges Prevent nominated person.
Job Titles:
- Leader
- Assistant Principal, South Tyneside
Having qualified in a Sport Psychology MSc at Northumbria University and graduating with a PGCE from Bangor University, David took up the position of Head of Sport at Sunderland High School in 2009. During this time, he was also the Head Coach for the North East Independent School Football Association.
In 2016, looking for a fresh challenge and ready to broaden his experience, David made the decision to venture into Further Education. He became Curriculum Manager in Health and Social Care at a northeast college where his portfolio grew over the years, to include digital, performing arts, art, distance learning and Access. In 2021 he was appointed the lead for the colleges' skills strategy.
David is a dynamic leader who works with curriculum and support services to ensure an outstanding student experience. He is the college's lead on T Levels and work placements and the South Tyneside College curriculum lead.
As a native of South Shields, David is delighted to be making a difference to the education of young people in the borough where he grew up and still lives.
After gaining a degree in occupational psychology Donya joined the graduate training programme at Marks and Spencer and worked throughout the UK in a variety of retail management roles. In 2001 she joined Jaguar/Land Rover as their Diversity Manager and then moved into Ford Motor Company where she worked internationally as an HR Director in South Africa, North America and continental Europe, finally being appointed to the Executive Leadership Board as Vice President of Human Resources for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Leading large international teams, negotiating with a wide range of Trade Union partners and controlling significant budgets has provided her with a wealth of experience. Donya has a particular interest in coaching and mentoring senior managers.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive
- Chief Executive South Tyneside College
Lindsey Whiterod oversaw a rapid rise in education standards at South Tyneside College, where she was Chief Executive from 2009, by introducing a new focus on vocational qualifications.
Her resolute and forward-thinking approach to provision ensured courses and resulting qualifications targeted real jobs, a policy that won the approval of many within the North East business community and education inspectorate Ofsted, which graded the college good with some exceptional features. In 2012, it was the only North East College where standards of provision were identified as rising.
Her influence on South Tyneside Colleges academic resurgence was such that she was made an OBE for services to education in the New Year Honours List in 2013, and later made a CBE in the New Year's Honours List in 2018.
Dr Lindsey Whiterod CBE places innovation in education and an understanding of how curriculums must be shaped to meet the needs of industry and employers as well as students, as policy priorities.
Her clear understanding of the link between education and training and the workplace to influence economic growth, was central to the rapid rise in standards at South Tyneside College, where she was Chief Executive prior to the founding of Tyne Coast College.
Malcolm graduated from York University in 1973 with a degree in History/Education, and stayed to complete a PGCE. He began his teaching career in secondary schools in South Tyneside, during which time he was awarded a School Teacher Fellowship at St Chad's College, Durham University. After completing a Masters in Education at Durham, Malcolm moved into educational administration at Newcastle and South Tyneside LEAs, working in fields such as adult and further education, school governance, school workforce development, succession planning and Ofsted inspections.
He also contributed to several national organisations in an educational advisory capacity such as the BBC Schools Broadcasting Council, the National Institute for Continuing Education and the National Employers Organisation for School Teachers.
Malcolm gained his Doctorate in Education from Newcastle University in 2001, in the field of school governance. He has worked as a lecturer in Continuing Education for Durham, Newcastle and Sunderland universities, and currently contributes to the education programme for the Joseph Cowan Centre for Lifelong Learning, Newcastle.
He is married, with four children. Now retired, he spends his time part-time lecturing, researching and sitting as a magistrate.
Job Titles:
- Director of HE
- Quality Coordinator
Emma Douglas joined the college in 2004 as a lecturer in Sociology and Criminology. Soon after her appointment, she identified a gap in the curriculum and worked with a local university to write and deliver a Foundation Degree. This sparked her passion in delivering higher education within a further education setting and she returned to education to complete her Ma in Crime, Governance and Social Justice in 2007.
Emma became a Quality Coordinator in 2016, following a number of years as a senior lecturer. As Quality Coordinator, Emma was involved in the quality assurance processes across a number of departments, including the Access to HE programmes, where she was Access Coordinator, supporting adult learners in achieving their dream of studying higher education.
In 2022, Emma took the role of Head of Department on an interim basis and gained experience of managing a diverse department, before being promoted to Director of Higher Education: Quality and Systems. Her vision is now to grow the HE offer and drive quality in its delivery, across all aspects of Tyne Coast College.
Gary has been involved with marine engineering since the 1970's when he joined the UK Merchant Navy. After graduating from the then South Shields Marine and Technical College he worked for Canadian Pacific Ships until leaving in late 1980's at the rank of Chief Engineer on tankers and bulk carriers.
He moved ashore into a shore based chemical production plant and then as Technical Superintendent in a UK based tanker company.
Gary returned to join South Tyneside College as Lecturer in the early 1990's, and he undertook various roles before coming Head of Faculty, when he has created national maritime Further and Higher education programmes since 1998. He led the UK development team for the introduction of the Electro-Technical Officer STCW programme in 2008. His final position was in the role of Principal of the South Shields Marine School where he served until 2018.
Gary is active in a wide range of advisory roles within Higher Education, both in the UK and overseas, and currently serves on the Board on a number of local, national, and international maritime associations that deliver maritime training and education, and assessment.
Became a college Governor in July 2014. A Qualified Accounting Technician and Chartered Accountant. In 2016 was elected as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. Has over 44 years public service experience, spending 25 years at Newcastle City Council where he became Chief Internal Auditor and Head of risk management and insurance. George left to become an Inspector with the Audit Commission delivering over 50 assessments across all areas of the public sector (Police, Fire, NHS and Local Government) across England. Currently applying his skills on a number of Boards and Committees across the Tyne and Wear area;
Jackie Watson has a wide knowledge and working practice of Education at all age groups and levels. As a qualified teacher her expertise includes: Early Years settings, Primary and Secondary teaching, right through to further and higher education for South Tyneside Council and Northumbria University.
Her diverse experience includes front line Community Development in her early career to later running, developing and managing services to support Children, Young People and their families. She managed a number of different settings and Borough wide projects such as Community Centres, Children's Fund, Extended Schools, Early Years and Children's Centres.
As a strategic manager for Children and Young People's Services she worked closely with Headteachers in Schools, Social Care and Health, Training Agencies and Charities to develop co-ordinated approaches to supporting those most in need, both locally and regionally.
She has a strong commitment to finding ways to engage and enable young people to meet their full potential, believing strongly in developing support and trust with the whole family to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Married twice, she has five adult daughters and eight grandchildren. Now retired, much of her time is spent supporting them as well as supporting her local branch library as a Trustee and volunteer. Her main interest is in providing alternative therapies to support health and wellbeing.
Jane Cuthbertson, who is Chief Operating Officer for Tyne Coast College, has worked across public and private sector organisations in client and contractor environments.
Today, she oversees the college finances to ensure their strong financial health and solvency.
She is involved in various professional bodies within her sector of expertise, including the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), of which she is a former regional president and the Association of Accounting Technicians.
Jane holds an MSc in Public Services Management, is a Fellow member of CIPFA and a member of the AAT.
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing and Recruitment
Lorraine Schapiras dynamic approach and creative eye has underlined a consistently innovative and fresh approach to marketing across Tyne Coast Colleges brands.
She delivers powerfully persuasive strategies through a highly colourful and visually striking artistic language that always places students at the heart of the message.
Job Titles:
- Principal, TyneMet & South Tyneside
Mandy has over 30 years' experience in education, joining the college as interim Principal in December 2021 before accepting a permanent role in 2022.
Job Titles:
- Retired Consultant in Public Health
Mark Overton is a retired Consultant in Public Health who spent much of his career working in South Tyneside.
He combines vast professional expertise, including that of strategic planning, with an intense interest in Further Education, and combines both within a single focus directed towards removing inequalities in health and education.
Mark is dedicated to using his skills and role of governor to progress the education of all young people who attend the college.
Job Titles:
- Professional Civil Engineer
Mark operated as a professional Civil Engineer since leaving University at the age of 23.
During the first years of his career, he worked primarily for the major Civil Engineering Companies including Balfour Beatty and Fairclough on major infrastructure projects such as Kielder Dam, Sellafield Nuclear Power Station and Tyne and Wear Metro. By the age of 30 Marck had developed my own building company and had moved to a turnover of circa £10 million by the mid 90's. Since then, his career has been varied but he has always been either self-employed or operated as Managing Director of several SMB's employing many 100s of people over his career.
Currently semi-retired, ownership and or partial ownership in several companies and continue in role of Retained Consultant Engineer.
Having attended Newcastle College of Arts and Technology between 1988-1992, Neil has spent the last 36 years in the Building services industry, specialising in the commercial/industrial air conditioning and refrigeration sector . Of those 36 years Neil spent 20 of these running HLA Services Ltd a successful business employing over 100 people, based on Boldon Business Park.
Following Neil's exit from the business in March 2023 he established Option3 Logic Ltd, a consultancy providing mentoring to SME business leaders in sustainability, growth and exit strategies.
Neil has also been a trustee of Grace House children's charity for 8 years where he currently holds the position of Vice-Chair.
Neil is passionate about apprentices, especially in the building services sector and is currently working with a number of organisations to improve the delivery of apprenticeships in the North East.
If you require any further information about the College's Board of Governors or any corporate or governance queries, please contact Neil Longstaff, Director of Governance on 0191 427 3903 or email neil.longstaff@tynecoast.ac.uk
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Principal, South Shields Marine School
Simon Ashton has journeyed far in his career since beginning his nautical studies as a marine cadet, sponsored by Shell Tankers, at South Shields Marine School in 1993. He qualified as a Deck Officer and a Marine Engineering officer four years later, also with Shell, and then switched course by joining Princess Cruises and later P&O Ferries. Always seeking greater professional expertise, Simon continued to study at the marine school during periods of leave and achieved a Master Mariners qualification in 2005, which allowed him to sail in the rank of Captain.
In 2006 he joined the marine school as a lecturer, and in 2010 he was promoted to Head of Department for Deck Officer of the Watch programmes. His dedication to improving Deck Officer of the Watch programmes led the marine school to become the leading maritime college in the country.
Simon became Assistant Principal in 2016 - the same year he attained a First Class Honours Degree, BA in Applied Management - Deputy Principal in 2018, and Principal in April 2020. He also sits on the main board of the Merchant Navy Training Board, which determines the structure and strategy for UK maritime training.
Surajah started her nursing career in Banbury, Oxfordshire. She has worked in various specialities and completed post nursing courses in Burns and Plastic Surgery at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Oncology at Royal Marsden Hospital, London and in the field of Paediatrics at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London.
Tony brings 38 years of experience to his role as Director of Quality, having worked in - and with - a variety of education sectors including HE, secondary schools, FE and private training providers.
Responsible for quality management, assurance, processes and systems, Tony and his team utilise data and analytics to identify areas for improvement, track performance and ensure robust frameworks are adhered to and monitored.