Governors

This area of the website is designed to provide you with information about the membership, operation and policies and procedures of the governing body of the college.

For further information please contact Tracy Scaife, Clerk to the Corporation
email tracy.scaife@newcollege.ac.uk

Membership of the Governing Body:

Otherwise known as the Corporation, the governing body is a team of individuals who bring a broad range of experience to the college.

The current members of the Corporation are:

Les Durrant

Les has worked in the fields of town and country planning and development since 1967. In April 1985 he established Development Planning and Design Services, a multi-disciplinary planning and development consultancy that now forms part of the DPDS Consulting Group with offices throughout the UK. Les is the Group Chairman and Managing Director, retaining an active day to day interest in all aspects of the Consulting Group's work, which includes planning, development, architectural, urban design, environmental and landscape consultancy. Les is actively involved in the local business community in the Swindon area and is a regular speaker at seminars and conferences and a contributor to professional journals.

Jamie Murray-Wells

Jamie is the founder and Chairman of Swindon based online retailer Glasses Direct. The business is now the largest online store of its kind, selling a pair of glasses or sunglasses every couple minutes, round the clock. Accolades for his work building Glasses Direct, include the CBI Growing Business, Shell Livewire, and Esquire Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards. Outside of the office, Jamie works for the Prince's Trust as a volunteer mentor and he is an advisor to the government on their new enterprise strategy. In 2009 the Prime Minister recommended that the Queen recognise his work inspiring others with her Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion

Heydar Faramarzi

Heydar graduated from Brunel University in 1987, receiving a MSc in Digital Systems. Since graduation he has worked for GEC Marconi in London as a Software Engineer, AT&T in New Jersey as a Senior Technical Manager and Alcatel-Lucent in Swindon as an R&D Director leading the development of large scale IT and software systems. He is currently the Managing Director at Emnico Technologies in Swindon providing managed IT services and software development support. He is a Chartered Engineer (CEng), a Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET) and a member of the British Computer Society (MBCS). He enjoys getting involved in Swindon community activities.

Norman Holland

Norman's main career was in the electrical power industry rising to a Director of National Power before retiring early in 1996 to enable him to concentrate on his own farming business and other interests. These included a Director of a large pension fund, President of Swindon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a Director of Great Western Enterprise Agency, Chairman of Business Link for Berkshire and Wiltshire and, amongst other roles, Governor of New College for which he was Chairman from late 1995 to 2002. He was awarded an MBE for his services to business in Berkshire and Wiltshire. His only current role is as a Governor of the College.

Russell Holland

Russell is proud to have been born and educated in Swindon. He completed a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Trinity College Oxford. He then qualified as a barrister by part time study while working for national charities in Swindon and elsewhere. As a student he completed internships in the House of Commons, United States Senate and European Parliament. In 2007 Russell was elected as a Swindon Borough Councillor for Stratton St.Margaret. Russell enjoys a busy legal practice including employment, education, planning, personal injury and public law. Between law and politics Russell enjoys walking along the Ridgeway, theatre and trying to play the piano.

Simon Howell (Vice-Chair of Governors)

Simon was a student at New College in 1984 when it first opened and successfully gained 3 A levels. He then went on to Bristol University where he completed a degree in Economics with Statistics. On returning to Swindon in 1989, he joined Ernst & Young, Chartered Accountants, and after three years of Professional exams he qualified as a Chartered Accountant. In 1995 Simon moved to the City of London office of Ernst & Young and specialised in Computer Systems Auditing and the provision of Internal Audit Services to many clients. He then became involved with New College when he was appointed as the provider of internal audit services. In 1997 Simon joined Intel and has had various roles including his most recent role as the Global Head of IFRS Technical Accounting. Simon is married with a young family and is a lifelong supporter of Swindon Town Football Club.

Peter O’Brien

Peter has lived in Highworth since 1970. Peter originally became a Business Governor of New College representing Burmah-Castrol. Peter's wide experiences within the Burmah-Castrol organisation ranged from the coordination of overseas Castrol companies in the Indian Sub-Continent, Asia and the Far East, to marketing and visiting on a regular basis Castrol agents in over 40 countries including Central and East Africa, Eastern Europe, Middle East and the Indian Sub-Continent. Peter is married with a son and a daughter, both of whom were students at New College. He is now retired but is an active member of Highworth Running Club and is a long-standing season ticket holder at Swindon Town Football Club.

Glen Reid

Glen retired in 2009 after 28 years with Nationwide Building Society as an IT development consultant and manager. Prior to this, he combined a short career in education with travelling, and held teaching positions on four different continents. Glen’s leisure interests include mathematics, writing, photography, swimming and golf.

David Rowlands (Chair of Governors)

David was employed by Zurich Financial Services for 19 years working as a Senior IT Manager. He has a proven track record in project management, change management and performance improvement. Now retired from Zurich, David assists at the Citizens Advice Bureau, supports Swindon Town Football Club and has a keen interest in antiques.

Graham Taylor (Principal)

Graham is Principal and Chief Executive at New College Swindon. He has a background in market research and corporate planning in 3 multinational companies and over 25 years experience in further and higher education across 6 Colleges. Graham worked his way up the lecturing ranks, teaching business studies, accounting and Information Technology and served as Head of Business Studies and Assistant Principal, Marketing and Enterprise. He is also the author of 10 best- selling books. His other interests include football, running and guitar.

Matt Troupe

Matt is the new Chair of the Audit committee. Matt studied Accounting & Finance at University of the West of England, Bristol graduating with First Class honours in 1993. Staying in Bristol Matt worked with Ernst & Young as an audit trainee becoming a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). During his time at Ernst & Young Matt worked on a wide range of public and private sector clients including external, internal audit together with specialist fraud and corruption work. Matt joined Intel in 2000 and since that time has worked in a variety of finance jobs including spending 2.5 years working in America. Now back home his current position with Intel based in Swindon is as Europe Audit Manager responsible for oversight and management of all internal audit work across Europe. Matt is married and has a little boy Oliver, who being only 15 months keeps him pretty busy. With any spare time Matt likes keep fit, racket sports and cinema

Sam McCurdy

Sam graduated from the University of Surrey in 1999 and went on to study for an Further Education PGCE in 2003 at The University of the West of England. During this time, Sam was placed for training at New College Swindon working in the Humanities Department as a history teacher. The following year, he took up the post as a history lecturer at New College and has subsequently become a Course Leader. He has also been involved in mentoring student teachers in the department. Sam is married, lives in Swindon and has a young family. In his spare time, Sam enjoys fitness and in particular cycle racing.