Governance at Croydon College

Croydon College’s Governing Body determines the educational mission of the College, its strategic direction, oversees its financial performance and safeguards its assets. It does this through a committee structure in which it meets with the College’s senior management to determine and monitor the College’s performance and planning. You can view all the Governance documents by clicking here.

Our Governors are volunteers and often have significant professional, business or community experience, which is called on to inform the Governing Body’s collective decision-making. Staff and students elect their own Governors. The day-to-day governance of the College is managed by the Clerk to the Governors, whose autonomy from the management structure of the rest of the College assures their independence.

Under the terms of the Further & Higher Education Act 1992, the most senior body in a Further Education college is its Governing Body.

The information below will offer more information about the College’s Governors, its governance structure and obligations, and how to apply to become a Governor.

For more information about our Governors or becoming a Governor, please contact the Director of Governance and Clerk to the Board, ​Clare Mitchell at clare.mitchell@croydon.ac.uk.

Volunteer opportunity – Become a Governor at Croydon College

We are seeking expressions of interest in becoming a member of the Board of Governors at Croydon College. 

• Do you have an interest in the education of young people and adults?
• Do you live in Croydon or have an interest in the educational and professional development of Croydon’s population?
• Do you have the ability to think strategically and to make informed decisions in a stimulating environment?
• Can you commit to some evening meetings (usually Wednesdays)

We expect to have a small number of vacancies on the Board of Governors at Croydon College during 2023. We are particularly interested in recruiting Governors with skills and experience in the areas of communications and special educational needs.

Induction, training and development is provided for new Governors.

For further information on Croydon College and the Board of Governors, please contact the Director of Governance, Clare Mitchell, on 07989 217807 or clare.mitchell@croydon.ac.uk for an informal discussion. CLICK HERE to download this information as a PDF.

Governance Membership

Our Governors represent a wide cross-section of those that live or have worked in Croydon.

Professor Tony Stevenson Tony is the Chair of the Board of Governors. He was brought up in Croydon and has now returned to the area.

​ Caireen Mitchell Caireen is the Principal and CEO of Croydon College.

Jean Cook Jean has extensive experience in further and adult education as a teacher, senior manager, inspector and consultant.

Andrew Lowe Andrew is an MBA qualified Insurance Director currently providing consultancy services to the motor insurance sector. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and was previously a Board member of Evolve Housing and Support.

Nasim Jivani-Hemani Nasim is an experienced Finance Director, holds an MBA, and is a Fellow of the ICAEW. She has worked in accounting and audit in the commercial sector and was Chief Finance Officer for an NGO, Focus Humanitarian Assistance.

​ Louise Cretton Louise is a highly experienced Non-Executive Director, specialising in strategy, communications and marketing. She is currently also Vice Chair of Croydon Health Services.

Andrew Gilchrist Andrew is a consulting actuary working in the life assurance industry. He is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.

Catherine Boyd-Maunsell Catherine is Head of HR at PSE, a high growth technology company and is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD. She has worked for several businesses that were acquired and has previous experience in marketing and research.

Frederick Law Frederick is an experienced internal audit and risk professional with a background in the financial services industry. He is an alumni graduate of Croydon College and is Fellow of the ACCA.

​ Soumick Dey Soumick is an experienced senior leader in education. He is currently CEO Designate of The Collegiate Trust, having previously been Principal at Riddlesdown Collegiate, a large outstanding secondary school in the south of the borough. He has worked in Croydon since 2006.

Niral Patel Niral is a Chartered Surveyor, currently employed as Senior Development Manager at London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Niral has lived in the Borough for 20 years, and worked for SHW and ARUP.

Andy Wilson Andy spent over 30 years as a CEO, Principal, Manager and Lecturer in London further education colleges.

Mike Fisher Mike is a Civil Servant currently working for the Education and Skills Funding Agency.  He has served on the Audit Committee of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority and was a Croydon Councillor for 24 years, including 8 years as Leader of the Council.

The College has two Staff Governors and two Student Governors:

For more information on our Governors or becoming a Governor, please contact the Clerk ​Clare Mitchell.

Governor Events

Governors are encouraged to attend a range of curriculum activities and events during the academic year.