Our team of governors has a remarkable breadth of experience, knowledge and skills that hugely benefit Coleg Cambria and everyone involved with it. They’re responsible for Coleg Cambria’s financial solvency, its effective management and the standard of services provided.
They’re also responsible for the proper use of the public funds entrusted to them. Members of the governing body are an integral part of the work of the college and generously donate their time and expertise. The term of office for members is 4 years, excluding student members who are appointed for one year.
Tim has chaired the Board of Governors since 2021 having been appointed to the Board in 2017.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chester until his retirement in 2020, Tim was educated at the University College of North Wales, Bangor.
During his career, he held posts at universities in England, Ireland and Scotland, and was a Senior Visiting Research Scholar at St John’s College, Oxford.
Much of his work has involved academic and industrial consultancies with experiences gained across Europe, America, China and Australia. He has published articles, books and research reports across a diverse range of areas including dyslexia, psychopharmacology, communications and safety.
Tim has extensive experience as a Governor in both the school and FE sectors and is also a Member of the Bangor University Council. He is a Deputy Lieutenant for Cheshire and is a Lay Canon at Chester Cathedral. He is a freeman of the Cities of London and Chester.
Yana Williams has been Chief Executive of Coleg Cambria since January 2020. She was educated at both primary and secondary school level in Mold, and completed her A Level studies at the former Deeside College.
An alumnus of Cardiff Metropolitan University, her first teaching role was at Knowsley Community College in Liverpool. She later moved to Runshaw College in Lancashire before rejoining Deeside College in a management role, overseeing the curriculum in a wide range of areas from construction to catering.
Following a period as Vice Principal at Blackburn College Yana was CEO/Principal at Hugh Baird College, Liverpool for 8 years.
Martina joined Coleg Cambria as a Governor in 2021. She has been a Governor at a primary school in Flintshire since 2014 and serves as its Vice Chair. Martina also mentors primary school Governing bodies.
She is an independent member of the Wrexham Education Services School and Exclusion Appeals Panel and has participated in Appeals Panels for other local authorities.
Since 2018 Martina has been a Lay Inspector for Estyn.
Having been born and raised in Germany Martina graduated from the University of Cologne with a degree in English and French. She worked as an interpreter for the British Army of the Rhine before spending a year in Kampala/Uganda as a project administrator for the GTZ (German Aid).
Following her move to the UK she worked in aviation as a language tutor and a member of cabin crew. Currently she is a part time lecturer with West Cheshire College and studying for a Masters Degree.
Martina has recent experience as a parent of a Coleg Cambria learner.
Judge Dutton has been a Governor at Coleg Cambria since 2022. Born and raised in Wrexham he received his primary and secondary school education in the town before graduating in Law from the University of Kent.
Having practised as a barrister until 1996, Roger was appointed one of Her Majesty’s Circuit Judges to sit on the Wales and Chester Circuit; he was the youngest appointment to the Circuit Bench. Judge Dutton was appointed the Resident and Senior Judge at Chester Crown Court in 2016 and he also became the Honorary Recorder of the City of Chester. In 2010 he was appointed the Chancellor and Consistory Court Judge for the Diocese of St Asaph.
Having retired in 2018 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law by the University of Chester in 2019 in recognition of his service.
Roger has served his community with enthusiasm over many years including being a Rotarian, governor of Glyndwr University, church warden in Rossett, and President of the Council of Her Majesty’s Circuit Judges. He Chairs the Chester Cathedral Safeguarding Advisory Group.
An energetic sportsman in his younger days, Roger is an avid follower of sport, particularly Welsh Rugby, cricket, and Wrexham AFC.
A Member of the Coleg Cambria Board of Governors since 2023, Lee has over 38 years experience in the Finance Industry. He has recently retired from being a Director and owner of Williams Financial Planning Ltd in Wrexham where he provided specialist advice to individuals, businesses and charities.
Lee graduated from the University of Wales and is married with 3 children. Two of Lee’s children progressed through further education on their way into the workplace and their own careers.
A committed sportsman in younger days Lee continues to be a keen cyclist and faithful supporter of Aston Villa. Lee’s other passion is music and enjoys playing in a local R&B band.
Martin joined Coleg Cambria as a Governor in 2022.
Martin is Head of the Industrial Academy for Airbus and is based at Broughton. Having worked in the aerospace sector for over 30 years across Europe and the US, Martin has held senior positions in Quality, Manufacturing Engineering and Performance Management/Improvement.
Martin is an active member of the Manufacturing Working Group within the ‘Aerospace Growth Partnership’, and an Ambassador for ‘Aerospace Wales’. He serves as a Governor at a local High School.
In his spare time, Martin enjoys listening to music, cycling and watching sport. He is an avid supporter of Wrexham AFC.
Mark Hughes is Coleg Cambria’s Student Voice Engagement Coordinator and has been the Staff Governor (Business Support) since 2022. He leads on Student Voice and clubs and societies across all 5 sites at Coleg Cambria.
A strong background of working with students of all ages having worked in high schools and as a Progress Coach, Mark delights in witnessing students develop, grow and meet their potential.
Mark’s aim is to ensure that every student feels like they are being heard and that they are valued within the college, and feel confident to “Raise” their voice, to speak up for what they believe in and to have their say in how their college is run.
Gareth was appointed to Coleg Cambria’s Board in 2020.
A Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies, Gareth is past Chair of the Welsh Panel of the Council for Awards of the Royal Agricultural Societies and past Chair of the Welsh Region for The Moredun Foundation. He is currently a Panel Member on the Independent Appeals for Rural Grants and Payments.
Gareth studied at the Welsh Agricultural College in Aberystwyth. After a period on a dairy farm in New Zealand he spent time managing beef, sheep and arable farms in Mid Wales, and worked as a beef specialist for the Meat and Livestock Commission.
Gareth has recently retired having been employed as the Estate Farm Manager at the Rhug Estate in Corwen, an organic farming operation extending to over 6,000 acres, with retail, farm shop and drive through facilities.
Jill is the Vice Chair of the Board and Chairs the Remuneration Committee. She joined the Board of Coleg Cambria in 2021.
A Chartered Accountant, Jill has strong professional links and business relationships in North Wales and surrounding area and knowledge of the area’s challenges, opportunities and potential.
Until 2020, Jill was Regional Managing Partner of RSM (UK’s 7th largest firm of accountants) and a member of the firm’s National Leadership Team, a Main Board Director and Acting Chief Operating Officer. An experienced board member, business leader and advisor, Jill supports a diverse range of organisations as a non-executive Director and Trustee.
A Governor with strong links to Coleg Cambria, Geoff rejoined the Board in 2022. He is currently the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Born and raised in Wrexham, Geoff completed his A levels at Yale Sixth Form College prior to joining the NHS to train in accountancy. He has been a qualified Chartered Accountant (CIPFA) since 1989.
Geoff spent the whole of his career working for NHS organisations across North Wales and held several Executive Director roles during his career, both in finance and general management. He has over 20 years experience as a Board Member.
Jayne joined the Board of Coleg Cambria in 2021.
A former pupil of Yale Sixth Form College, Jayne maintains her strong links to Wrexham. She is an advocate for social mobility, equal opportunities and raising the aspirations within North East Wales.
Having read Law at Liverpool and receiving a commendation in her Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, Jayne began her 25 year legal career working a breadth of casework for Allington Hughes Solicitors.
Jayne followed her passion and now specialises in crime working at one of the UK’s largest prosecution areas in Merseyside and Cheshire.
Jayne supports the development of others working as pupil master, mentor and has assisted in the training of newly qualified barristers at Gray’s Inn. She has featured in BBC’s documentary The Prosecutors as well as BBC North West news discussing the criminal justice system.
Jayne has experience as a parent of a recent Coleg Cambria learner.
A Governor of Coleg Cambria since 2023, Paul has over 40 years experience in the finance industry.
Prior to his retirement, Paul was a relationship director in the corporate part of Barclays Bank PLC dealing with a wide variety of clients in the SME market.
Paul is a former pupil of Yale Sixth Form College and still lives in Wrexham.
He has held several Governor roles in schools at Primary and Secondary level, is a former board member of Careers Wales North West and is a Prince’s Trust mentor supporting young people starting out in business.
Paul is a long standing supporter of Wrexham AFC and is a keen charity fundraiser having completed several challenges including conquering Kilimanjaro in 2022.
Anna joined the Board of Coleg Cambria in 2021 and is the Chair of the Curriculum and Standards Committee.
Having worked in the education sector for 47 years, Anna retired from her role as Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Chester in 2020.
Anna has had a varied career in education both in higher education and in primary school education in Flintshire/Clwyd including as headteacher of St. Asaph Infants school.
Following 18 years at North East Wales Institute where she led primary teacher education, Anna took up a post at the University of Chester 2002 where she was Dean of the Faculty of Education and Children’s Services, Deputy Vice Chancellor, and also Provost of the new University Centre Shrewsbury.
Anna has worked abroad in Palestine, America and Sweden. Working with Estyn, Anna has considerable experience as an external examiner of HE programmes. She continues her interest in education through her experience as a school and FE Governor.
A co-opted member of the Audit and Risk Committee, Jane joined Coleg Cambria in this role in 2022.
Jane is a chartered accountant who has worked as an education and charity specialist for over 25 years. She is currently a senior manager in the Charity and Education team at WR Partners, a local accountancy firm. During her career, Jane has worked with a number of Further Education colleges, academy trusts, independent schools, a variety of charities and other not for profit organisations.
A former pupil of the former Yale Sixth Form College, Jane is also a parent of three recent Coleg Cambria learners and resides in the city.
.
In her spare time Jane enjoys walking, learning how to play golf, and is an avid supporter of Wrexham AFC.
Sara is a Staff Governor (Curriculum) and joined the Board of Governors in 2023.
Sara is a Basic Skills lecturer and Curriculum Lead in the Adult Basic Education department.
She was educated through the medium of Welsh until University. Sara holds an undergraduate degree in Education and ALN, a teaching qualification and Masters degree.
Sara has an extended history of working with students in a variety of different sectors. From working in primary schools to HMP Berwyn, a category C prison for males in Wrexham. She is passionate about the importance of providing individuals with the right tools and resources to develop, succeed and become lifelong learners.
As a staff governor, Sara is supporting the college to be an inclusive, transparent and a positive working environment by contributing her point of view to the Governing body of Coleg Cambria.
Annesley chair’s the Finance, People and Culture Committee and has been a Governor at Coleg Cambria since 2017
.
Annesley’s strong finance and accounting background evolved to general management and his primary career was as Managing Director of Japanese manufacturing companies in North Wales initially with Hoya Lens in Wrexham and latterly with TRB, a Toyota manufacturing subsidiary, in St Asaph.
A fluent Japanese speaker, Annesley has been honoured by the Japanese Government for service to Japanese corporates and the Japanese community in the UK.
He has also been awarded the Achievement Wales Business Person of the Year, and Wales Business Person of the Year.
Annesley has extensive Board experience and holds board appointments on a number of educational and other bodies including National Youth Advocacy Service, Adoption Matters, Advance Brighter Futures and Wrexham Foyer, he also sits on several charitable trusts as a trustee.
Rajan joined Coleg Cambria’s Board of Governors in 2023.
A public health doctor, Rajan worked in senior medical management positions in the NHS until his retirement. He was formerly a Council member of the General Medical Council.
He serves as a trustee of a number of voluntary organisations in Wales and as a non-executive Member of Llais (an independent statutory body, established by Welsh Government focussing on health and social care services). Rajan is also a Member of the Health and Social Care Welsh Language Plan Advisory Board which monitors and scrutinises Welsh Government plans to improve the provision of Welsh language care in health and social care services.
Rajan lives near Ruthin in Denbighshire. An advocate of lifelong learning, he is an active and enthusiastic Welsh language learner.
Alexander joined the Board in 2024 as a Student Governor.
Currently studying Hospitality and Catering at Level 2 at Yale, Alexander is a keen volunteer. He uses his lived experience and knowledge to advocate for and support the voices of children and young people being heard and listened to.
Alexander is a member of Senedd yr Ifanc / Youth Parliament and spoke at House of Commons in November 2023, is a youth representative at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and contributed to the Children Charter Recipe Book and spoke at its launch.
He was also a member of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales Youth Advisory Panel between 2021 – 2023.
Alexander is passionate about making a difference and is keen to use his voice as a Student Governor to help shape projects and initiatives in the college to benefit and enhance fellow learners’ experiences.
Finn is a Student Governor having joined the Board in 2023.
Finn is currently studying Animal Management at Level 3 having previously studied Animal Care Level 1 and Level 2 and joined the college having been previously homeschooled. He’s been a part of the Student Voice programme for the college since joining Coleg Cambria in September 2021.
Finn is passionate about the care of the college’s animals and is also keen to ensure that the college remains inclusive and that he and his peers continue to enjoy, and feel supported through, their courses.
A Governor of Coleg Cambria since 2023, Claire is a partner at Aaron and Partners solicitors.
Claire represents a wide range of employers and has over 20 years’ experience working with companies including multi nationals and PLCs, charitable organisations, and education sector clients.
Her practice includes supporting and advising boards (including governing bodies) and businesses on a range of complex and time sensitive issues.
An active public speaker Claire presents and contributes to national events and also carries out external and bespoke in-house training courses on employment law issues.
Claire leads the education team and acts as a mentor and mental health first aider at Aaron and Partners. She is particularly interested in equality, diversity and inclusion, dignity at work, wellbeing at work and suicide prevention.
Jayne has been an Associate Governor – Social Partnerships since 2024.
Having joined Coleg Cambria’s to deliver NVQ and Apprenticeships, Jayne is currently a lecturer at Coleg Cambria’s Business School delivering Leadership and Management higher level courses. She is the Programme Leader for the Applied Business Management Degree delivered through partnership with Swansea University, and works closely with partners to develop leadership and management programmes.
A Senior Social Partnership Representative for Equality and Diversity, Jayne works closely with the Equality and Diversity department in the college, and is the branch secretary for the UCU union.
A fluent Welsh speaker, Jayne is currently studying for an MSc/PhD in Advanced Management with Swansea University focused on Innovation and Transformation.
With a longstanding background in the FE and WBL sectors, Jayne was previously in the military. Outside of work and studying, Jayne enjoys a range of creative passions and projects from caravan restoration, art, carpentry to designing and developing a board game!
