Stephen has worked in further education for 25 years joining his local further education college as a lecturer pre-incorporation in 1992. For the most part, Stephen’s career was in Scotland where he held various posts however for the last four years has been working at City & Islington College as a member of the Senior Management Team. As Deputy Principal for City & Islington College Stephen showed a passion for improving the life chances of students and delivering for the College stakeholders. Since joining the United Colleges Group as Principal for the College of North West London he has continued this work and has made substantial improvements during his first year in post. Since joining the United Colleges Group as Principal for the College of North West London he has continued this work and has made substantial improvements during his first year in post and is now Chief Executive and Group Principal for all the constituent colleges within the United Colleges Group.
Amanda has a wide range of responsibilities across the College Group including Property and Estates, Finance, Business Development, IT, Central services, Risk Management and Health & Safety. Prior to joining the College Amanda spent her early career in the accountancy profession before becoming Finance Director of a number of varying organisations predominantly in emerging businesses. In 2002 she was appointed Finance Director of Centurion Electronics which floated on AIM later that year. Subsequent to this she joined Keronite Plc, an equity backed business in 2005. Amanda has an MA in Geography and International Studies from St Andrews University as well as a Post Graduate Certificate in Shared Services from Canterbury Christ Church University. She is a qualified chartered accountant having trained with Ernst & Young in their London office.
Having started her career teaching in Spain, Angela moved into teaching adult and prison education before embarking on a career in FE. Angela has over 20 years’ experience of leading curriculum and student support services across all age groups, with a particular interest in developing teaching and learning and meeting skills needs, and experience of developing teams through change, Angela is passionate about ensuring opportunities for diverse students of all ages.
James started teaching in Further Education over 20 years ago. Prior to that he was free-lance for 10 years in the world of performing arts and music, working across a number of different disciplines nationally and around Europe. For the last 15 years he has worked as a senior manager within inner London further education colleges, whilst undertaking Ofsted training as an ‘in-service practitioner’, where he has been a member of six inspection teams for other college inspections. He has a particular interest in the variety of prior experiences people coming to learn at general FE college have and how further education can support each individual to achieve their goals. James attempts to maintain a reasonable level of fitness outside of work, regularly participating in multi-disciplinary sports endurance training. He lives in Camden with his family, where he enjoys the live music scene.
As Director of Business Intelligence at UCG, Paul’s current area of responsibility covers all aspects of Management Information Systems (MIS) and Information Technology (IT). Paul has worked for UCG since 2020, with the role being his first in the Education sector. Paul’s career has, extensively, been across Commercial and Manufacturing Technology sectors, working as Commercial Accounting Manager for a leading brand within the drinks industry, he has also held various senior Finance roles within the Subsea Design and Technology sector. Prior to joining UCG, he was a Senior Business Partner working with Shell International for 10 years, where his role evolved into Global Process Design, Continuous Improvement and Change Management across the Downstream Businesses.
Peter has many years’ experience as a Development and Project Manager in the world of commercial property development. With experience of many property types, he has been responsible for the development of supermarkets & retail parks, hospitals, and cinemas, offices, hotels and industrial units. Prior to joining the Further Education sector in 2009, Peter, ran his own development management consultancy and undertook a number of office and residential development projects on his own account. As an experienced Chartered Building Surveyor, since joining the sector, Peter has held various Estates and property related posts at a senior level, and most recently was responsible for the planning and delivery of two major campuses in the West of Scotland. Peter joined UCG early in 2022, and as a member of SLT, his primary role is to provide oversight, and to manage the delivery of the New Wembley Campus project.
Bilal started teaching in 2010 and is still as passionate about Teaching and Learning as he was then. Having taught in community settings, alternative provision and in another London FE college, he joined UCG in October 2020 as an Assistant Principal for the Creative and Digital Industries. Bilal started his teaching journey delivering Maths and progressed into leadership and management roles at his previous college, he has worked in several different areas within Further Education including Study Programmes, Adult Education, ESOL and Access to Higher Education. As a practitioner, Bilal participated and delivered practitioner led research with the Education Training Foundation, University of Sunderland and also for Jisc, and benefitted from continuous professional development, highlighting the importance of communities of practice. Bilal is a passionate about the student experience and believes in the power of FE to transform the lives of young people, adults and the local community.
Nicola has worked in Further Education since 2007 and has been with UCG since 2019. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Nicola’s background is varied, first starting off in graphic arts and then working in Beauty Therapy & Aesthetics for many years prior to Further Education. Nicola has worked all over the world, including USA, Canada, the Middle East and Europe, as well as five years on cruise ships that covered the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Nicola has worked in several different areas within Further Education, including vocational, and morphed into Additional Learning Support/ Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Nicola has a Masters Degree in Specific Learning Difficulties and is an advocate for learners with SEND and ensuring we aim high for our students and their families. Nicola started off as a student in her local college, became a volunteer, then HPL and worked her way up to her current position.
Luci has worked in Further Education since 2009, starting her career as a lecturer in Hospitality. Since then, Luci has worked for a number of colleges who provided opportunities to develop a personal and professional skill set. Whilst working full time her employers supported her to complete a degree in Education and Professional Development, followed by a Master’s in Education. Over the years Luci has managed employer focused provision for both large and small employers, as well as training for individuals who are unemployed or looking to progress their careers. Luci has worked for United Colleges Group since 2022 within the Business Development department. She is committed to working with employers to develop their existing workforce, as well as supporting the College’s students to progress into employment.
Floyd has overall responsibilities for the Estates and Property services of the Group; covering Security, Maintenance, Housekeeping, Catering, Reprographics and Capital Projects. Floyd joined the College in 2012 as part of the maintenance team and has worked in many roles in the Estates team over his tenure for United Colleges Group. Floyd has an BA (Hons) degree in Philosophy from Leeds University as well as vocational qualifications in Health and Safety, Facilities Management and Project Management. Floyd is part of the Health and Safety, Sustainability, Risk Control, Business Continuity and Enrolment working groups. Floyd has prior experience in adolescent Mental Health services and Adult Learning Disability services that support his role as an operational lead for the organisation ensuring that facilities are equitable and accessible for all the Group’s site users.