Corporation

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The College’s Corporation includes independent Governors representing the community we serve and key stakeholders, the Principal, two Staff Governors and two Student Governors. Profiles are available below.

Our Corporation has the following Committees:

• Audit Committee
• Capital, Estates and Sustainability Committee
• Quality and Standards Committee
• Remuneration Committee
• Search and Governance Committee

Phil Wilkinson

Chair of the Corporation and Independent Governor

Phil became Chair of the Board of Corporation in February 2022, and was previously Corporation Vice Chair.

Phil is CEO of Ascentis, an awarding organisation for educational qualifications for Further Education (FE) colleges, training providers, schools and employers. Recently crowned ‘awarding organisation of the year’ by the Federation of Awarding Bodies, Ascentis is a registered charity and Phil’s role as CEO includes responsibility for corporate performance and strategic development.  Phil is also the Chairman of International Dyslexia Learning Solutions Ltd, a subsidiary of Ascentis that provides specialist dyslexia and dyscalculia software to schools in the UK and overseas.

A member of the Institute of Directors, Phil has a M.Ed in Educational Studies, M.Sc. in Human Biology and B.Sc (Hons) in Biology – and is a qualified teacher. Phil’s experience in FE includes previously being a lecturer in Higher Education and also as a Head of Division and Assistant Principal at FE Colleges in the north west.

Lisa O’Loughlin CBE

Principal and Chief Executive

Lisa O’Loughlin is the Principal and CEO of East Lancashire Learning Group. She has a wealth of experience within the Further Education Sector having joined ELLG from The Manchester College, where she was Principal and Deputy CEO at LTE.

Lisa is committed to developing a college strategy and operational plan which will see both learner achievement and learner satisfaction increase, across all areas, with a key focus on ensuring a strong Academic and Technical Education Strategy, leading to high quality destinations. This advancement of high-quality technical education that meets the needs of the region’s employers is at the heart of Lisa’s leadership plan, and she is committed to growing employer partnerships and securing real opportunities for learners to develop the skills they need to drive today’s workforce.

Having previously worked in East Lancashire, as Deputy Principal of Blackburn College between 2007 and 2013, Lisa is no stranger to the area and is dedicated to ensuring that all learners, at all levels and all ages, are able to access only the very best skills and experience throughout their education.

Helen Curtis

Vice Chair of the Corporation and Independent Governor

Helen’s wealth of knowledge and expertise in health has been developed through her extensive career of over 40 years as a senior leader in the NHS, in a number of executive, Board and clinically focussed roles. Prior to her recent retirement, Helen was most recently the Deputy Chief Officer and Director of Quality and Performance at Chorley and South Ribble and Greater Preston Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), the planning bodies responsible for commissioning health services from organisations such as NHS Trusts, community providers and primary care. Helen brings executive leadership skills in quality improvement, performance and safeguarding – and is passionate about supporting the College Group to ensure learners develop the skills and qualities needed for their success, and by the NHS, now and in the future.

Gemma Marsh

Independent Governor

Gemma is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Skills England, the executive agency sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions, responsible for building the nation’s world-class skills, supporting the Government’s growth and opportunity missions. Prior to this, as Director of Education, Skills and Work at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Gemma was responsible for leading skills and work policy development in the devolved area, managing £160mn+ of European Social Funded (ESF) programmes, and leading the GMCA’s approach to the devolution of the Adult Education Budget (AEB) and Work and Health Programme.

Liz Sedgley

Independent Governor

Liz is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants in England and Wales. For the last 20 years Liz has run a successful management consultancy providing accountancy and strategic finance support to public sector organisations and businesses in sectors as diverse as construction, chemical sales, communications and web-based retail. Liz is a non-Executive Director of East Lancashire Hospitals Trust and Chair of their Finance Committee, with her extensive non-Executive career also including being Deputy Chair of University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust.

Mumtaz Ali

Independent Governor

Bio to follow

Christine Kenyon MBE

Independent Governor

Christine’s extensive experience in Further Education (FE) spans over 30 years and includes senior curriculum and quality roles at three Grade 1 Outstanding colleges in the North West, and also in Higher Education (HE) as the Dean of the University Centre of Higher Education at Blackburn College, the second largest provider of Higher Education within FE. Most recently, as Deputy Principal for Further Education (FE) at The Manchester College Christine has overseen the design and implementation of the FE strategy, ensuring it meets the objectives of the Strategic Plan and Greater Manchester priorities.

Jenifer Burden MBE

Independent Governor

Jenifer is Director of Programmes for the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, and senior lead on a number of Gatsby’s programmes to support delivery of technical education. Her passion for skills, education and technical skills has been developed through her background which includes teaching for 13 years, roles with the University of York, Association for Science Education and as inaugural Director of the National STEM Centre. Passionate about how local areas build coherent pathways for technical education, Jenifer brings significant expertise to support development and delivery of the College Group’s ambitions in technical education and skills.

Melissa Conlon

Independent Governor

Melissa is Commercial Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre North West, whose multi-million pound base in Lancashire carries out world-class research into advanced machining, manufacturing and materials. Her extensive background in information technology and advanced manufacturing has included national and international roles for GE and BNP Paribas, and in both FE Colleges and Universities in Lancashire. Recently awarded a honorary professorship from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in recognition of her commitment and impact in the sector and region, Melissa is passionate about supporting the growth and success of the advanced manufacturing sector and championing education and skills to make a critical contribution to that ongoing ambition.

Sarah Applewhite

Independent Governor

Sarah has a wealth of experience in enhancing quality, learning, and teaching strategies across both higher education and further education sectors, and is currently Vice Principal at Bradford College. Her expertise in the FE sector from a policy, quality and pedagogy perspective, combines with her passion for the design and delivery of education and skills that are of the highest quality and relevance to industry and community needs.

Darren Hutton

Independent Governor

Darren brings over 20 years of digital leadership experience from both the private sector, in businesses such as Hippo Digital Ltd, as well as through his roles in the NHS and Department for Work and Pensions. A seasoned expert in leading multidisciplinary teams in tightly regulated environments, Darren’s track record of digital innovation and leadership is invaluable to the College Group’s commitment to enhance its digital infrastructure and prepare for future technological advancements. A former pupil of Nelson and Colne College, Darren’s successful career in industry and commitment to skills means he brings a valuable employer perspective to the Board and to the College Group’s strategy for the co-creation and co-delivery of digital skills with industry.

Matt Renshaw

Independent Governor

Matt’s teaching career spans more than 20 years, and includes being Deputy Head at Pendle Vale College, prior to his current role as Headteacher of Sir John Thursby Community College. The school’s ethos of ambition, respect and belonging strongly align with ELLG’s values. Through his career, Matt is able to offer valuable insight and expertise in areas such as raising educational standards, secondary education and transition, curriculum design and quality assurance, research in teaching and learning – as well as a keen understanding of our local education and employment sectors.

Rt Hon. Andrew Stephenson CBE

Independent Governor

Andrew’s extensive ministerial experience in national government has included Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care, and he was Member of Parliament for Pendle in Lancashire from 2010-2024. Awarded a CBE in 2023 in recognition of a career of dedicated public service, Andrew’s expertise and passion for championing healthcare and supporting local communities was recognised in his appointment as Chair of University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust in May 2025.

Alan Stell MRICS

Independent Governor

Alan has over 30 years of commercial property experience, both as an external agent and also in-house, including his current role as National Estates Manager at the Co-operative Group. Responsible for a trading portfolio of over 4,500 stores, corporate offices and distribution units with £120mn per annum property costs, Alan’s skills, expertise and experience is making a key contribution to ELLG’s ambitious capital investment strategy and investments.

Joanne Carlin FCIPD

Independent Governor

Jo is a Board-level Human Resource (HR) and transformation leader with more than two decades of experience driving large-scale organisational change across the UK, Europe and internationally. Her sector background spans Manufacturing, Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Life Sciences, Hospitality and Renewables – and she is currently Senior Vice President HR Europe for Firstsource Solutions Ltd. Jo’s work focuses on how culture shapes organisational risk, performance and strategic delivery – and she has led transformation, acquisition and integration programmes to align strategy, people and structure to deliver measurable business impact. Jo’s master’s degrees are in Psychological Science and Business, and she is a qualified Executive Coach.

Aqil Javed

Staff Governor

Aqil was welcomed to the Board as a new Staff Governor in September 2024. As well as his role as an A Level Biology lecturer here at the College Group, Aqil helps run the highly successful pre-professional programme for students applying to study Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary science at University or as their next steps. Aqil brings his skills and insight as a Governor in a local Primary School, and through his industry background in previous roles in the pharmaceutical sector.

Gill Sharples

Staff Governor

Gill is the Registry Team Leader for the College Group, and as well as being a Staff Governor is also a workplace representative for Unison. Gill’s governance background has included various elected roles in local government, including as a Borough Councillor, and she is also currently a serving Parish Councillor. As well as being an advocate for staff’s voices, Gill is particularly keen in all her roles to support the mental health and wellbeing agendas.

Jack Carrington

Student Governor

Jack joined the Board as a Student Governor in 2025, and is studying A levels at Nelson and Colne College. Alongside his studies and plans to move onto study a degree as his next step, Jack is a Tutor Representative and enjoys being a lead football coach for children.

Mahnoor Shahzad

Student Governor

Mahnoor became a Student Governor in 2025, and is studying A levels at Nelson and Colne College ahead of beginning studying a degree. Mahnoor has experience of voluntary sector charity boards, which also gave her the opportunity to gain work experience in a school in Rabat in Morocco teaching children language skills and developing her understanding of different cultures and education systems.

Dean Langton

Co-opted Committee member of Quality and Standards Committee

Dean is Chief Executive of Pendle Borough Council and has a career of over 36 years in local Government. A qualified accountant, Dean has held senior management and finance positions at several Councils including Blackburn with Darwen Council, Kirklees Metropolitan Council, Barnsley Metropolitan Council, Craven District Council and Selby District Council. Through his more recent roles, Dean has contributed to the development of the Lancashire Combined County Authority and the implementation of the Devolution Deal.

Charlie Moss

Co-opted Committee member of Quality and Standards Committee

Charlie is Head of Further Education Curriculum Support at the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, where he leads Gatsby’s programme of Technical Education Networks to support teaching of T levels and contributes to wider programmes supporting technical education reforms nationally. Prior to joining Gatsby, Charlie had a variety of leadership and teaching roles in North West Colleges over the last 15 years, working for awarding organisations to support external quality assurance in a range of curriculum areas and most latterly as a Head of Division leading curriculum quality improvement, development and delivery here at the East Lancashire Learning Group.

Peter Nangle

Co-opted Committee member of Quality and Standards Committee

Peter’s senior leadership career in the further education (FE) sector has spanned 30 years, beginning first as a Lecturer and then Head of Faculty at Blackburn College. Leadership roles prior to his recent retirement included his being Vice Principal at Calderdale College, Deputy Principal and Deputy CEO at Telford College, and also Deputy Principal and Deputy CEO  at North Shropshire College and Northumberland College. Peter brings skills and expertise in quality assurance and curriculum development, with a passion and commitment to education, learning and our local communities spanning many years. Peter has a Master’s Degree majoring in Education Management.

Debbie Corcoran

Director of Governance

Debbie is the governance professional advising and supporting the Board of Corporation. As Chair of the AoC’s North West network of governance professionals, she is also a member of the AoC’s National Governance Professionals Group.