Appointment to the Corporation
The Search and Governance Committee is responsible for all membership issues and no independent member can be appointed to the Corporation without recommendation by the Committee.
Membership of the Corporation is broadly defined within the Instrument and Articles of Government and, within these parameters, currently comprises of independent members, staff and student members and the Principal. You can find profiles of each of our governors below.
List of members:
- Paul Wakeling - Chair of Corporation
- Phillip Lennon – Vice Chair of the Corporation
- Roger Key
- Tony Wenden
- Vikki Liogier
- Nicola Curtis
- Paul Dale
- Ben Akande
- Desi McKeown
- Jenny Beaumont
- Louise Aitken
- Rachel May
- Dan Pearson – Chief Executive
- Nick Patterson - Staff Member
- Perry Sansom - Staff Member
- Amber Carter-Andrews – Student Member
- Evie Naylor - Student Member
Paul Wakeling
An educational leader and consultant with a strong track record in a wide range of roles. Paul has been Principal and Chief Executive at Havering Sixth Form College and then Deputy Group Principal at New City College. As well as completing roles such as Director of Curriculum, Quality and Learning at a private training provider and is currently a consultant providing leadership and educational services.
Phillip Lennon
Prior to his retirement in 2016, Phillip had been Director of Finance at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists for 15 years. He has a BSc (Hons) in Administrative Science from Aston University and has been an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants since 1978.
Phillip has over 40 years of commercial experience working in a variety of industries and organisations. He has worked in the Not-For-Profit sector on a number of occasions and understands the importance of public benefit and how this has to work in a commercial environment. He has always been involved in providing good governance, strategic management and effective business operations.
Phillip lives in Essex and is a director and trustee of two other charities. He is a Council member, Chair of the Risk and Audit Committee and a member of the Remuneration Committee at Newman University. He is Treasurer at a local Community Voluntary Service, which covers Basildon, Billericay and Wickford.
Roger Key
Prior to retirement, Roger worked in the City for 40 years working at National Westminster Bank, JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank, specialising In Loan Administration and Credit Risk Management.
Tony Wenden
Tony is a chartered certified accountant. He is the Managing Director and owner of local accounting firm, Elliott Mortlock Busby & Co Ltd.
Vikki Liogier
Vikki is the National Head of EdTech and Digital Skills with the Education and Training Foundation, whose role is to grow the strength and capacity of the FE profession in harnessing learning and teaching technologies, developing digital skills and redefining pedagogic approaches.
Nicola Curtis
Nicole has worked in Pathology for 25 years and has gained a Biomedical Science degree and Cellular Pathology masters whilst working within Cytology. More recently she moved into a 'Training Manager' role which she thoroughly enjoys. Nicole is also registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and a member of the Institute of Biomedical Science.
Paul Dale
Paul is a Fellow of the C.I.L.T. He is the Asset and Site Director of the Port of Tilbury
Ben Akande
Ben is a college governor who has dedicated nearly two decades of his life to education. He started his career as an ICT/computer science teacher in London schools and has become a respected and valued educator. Known for his passion for teaching and his innovative teaching methods, Ben has inspired countless students to pursue careers in technology and computer science. He is currently the Deputy Headteacher for Thames Park Secondary School which now neighbours USP College, Palmer's Campus where he continues to impact the lives of students and teachers alike. As a college governor, he brings his wealth of experience and expertise to the table, helping to shape the future of education in our community
Desi McKeown
Trained as a maths teacher, has been at The Deanes School, a local ‘feeder’ school for USP, since 2004 and has been Headteacher there since 2015.
Jenny Beaumont
Jenny is an Essex resident and for many years worked for Essex County Council. She subsequently set up her own learning and development consultancy business. Jenny is an experienced and accredited executive coach and mentor. Jenny is a Fellow and active member of the Institute of Learning.
Louise Aitken
Involved with Essex County Council for nearly 20 years in a range of roles covering development, regeneration, employability and skills as well as producing reports on skills and strategy for the DfE. Recently the Skills Lead for the Southeast Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) overseeing large skills funding programmes and strategy, while working at Essex County Council. Currently Skills Growth and Strategy Manager at Essex CC and working with Essex Chamber of Commerce on the Local Skills Improvement Plan as part of the delivery team.
Rachel May
Has spent 24 years working within the skills sector in both Higher and Further Education as well as Independent Training Organisations. Currently the Project Director Skills for Logistics (part of the VTCT Group), while prior to this was Director of Employer Involvement at Career Colleges Trust.
Dan Pearson
Having worked in education for the past 20 years’ with the last decade of experience being in senior leadership roles. Dan gained a Strategic Leadership qualification from the University of Oxford, and prides himself on his creative and innovative approach to driving improvement in educational quality and outcomes. As well as being CEO at USP College he is also the Chairman of the Federation of Essex Colleges (FEDEC).
Nick Patterson
Nick is the Head of IT Services.
Perry Sansom
Parry is a course leader in our Sport & Healthcare Professionals Sector.