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. There are also two Staff Governors, who are elected, and two Student Governors who are appointed. 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, Jacqueline Mutibwa at [email protected]
Governance Membership
Our Governors represent a wide cross-section of those who live or have worked in Croydon.
Valerie Shawcross
Valerie is the Chair of the Board of Governors.
Caireen Mitchell
Caireen is the Principal and CEO of Croydon College.
Jacqueline Mutibwa
Jacqueline is the Director of Governance.
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.
Armaghan Ul Haq
As an executive leader with over 25 years’ success in financial directorship, Armaghan specialises in all facets of BAU, change management, financial analysis, risk, and financial controllership within high-profile corporations. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
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.
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.
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.
Martin Bentham
Martin has over 18 years of experience as a senior leader in a range of SEND educational settings and has worked with young people from ages 5-25. He brings a wealth of SEND expertise and is passionate about ensuring that vulnerable children and young people get the same opportunities as everybody else.
Jonathan Brookes
Jonathan is Head of Responsible Business for a mixed-used developer. His remit includes sustainability and social value. Previous to this he worked for a number of large businesses with a sustainability and social value focus including Wates and Hammerson. Jonathan is also a non-executive director with Evolve, a social enterprise supporting disadvantaged individuals into apprenticeships and employment.
Michael Cutbill
Michael is a board member of several providers across the education sector, and a former university Vice Chair. He has a background in marketing and finance.
Portia Kumalo
A seasoned management consultant with expertise in health and social care, Portia brings strategic leadership and a strong track record of supporting young people. As founder of an Ofsted-registered, supported accommodation service for 16–17-year-olds and care leavers, and leader of a youth-focused travel agency, she is passionate about equity, empowerment, and lifelong learning. Portia also serves as a trustee of a Croydon youth mental health charity and holds international board roles, offering valuable governance insight.
The College has two Staff Governors and two Student Governors:
For more information on our Governors or becoming a Governor, please contact Clare Mitchell at [email protected].
Governor Events
Governors are encouraged to attend a range of curriculum activities and events during the academic year.