RNN Group – Chair of Governors

RNN Group is committed to prioritising powerful teaching and learning, knowledge and skills development. We aim to improve and develop the student experience, ensuring we are seen as exceptional by students across the organisation. Proudly serving our local communities, we work within sustained and strong partnerships to focus on the needs of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) regions and communities.

We are seeking a strategic leader with a strong vision and a passion for education and community development to serve as our Chair of Governors. The Chair will lead the Governing Body, ensuring the highest standards of governance, and will work collaboratively to shape the future direction of the Group. This role demands a commitment to upholding the Group’s ethos, enhancing its educational provision, and fostering strong relationships within the community.

Dear colleague,

Chair of Governors

We are seeking an exceptional leader with a deep passion for education to build on the progress achieved under the leadership of our former Chair, Jenny Worsdale, who had dedicated 30 years to post-16 education and improving the lives of young people before sadly passing away in October. The Board is currently being chaired by our previous Chair, Janet Pryke. Under Janet’s leadership, the Group had taken decisive action to secure financial recovery, strengthen financial resilience and improve the quality of education across the Group.

Our goal to provide exceptional opportunities for people throughout their lives is at the heart of everything that we do. Our new Chair will help the RNN Group achieve this ambition for our students, our staff, our local communities and the employers of the region.

You will join a strong and committed Board of Governors drawn from across the region, including two staff and two student governors. We have recently recruited five new governors to strengthen the skills and diversity of our Board.

Our new Chair will have the opportunity to lead and shape the development of the new RNN Group Strategic Plan ready for September 2025.

As Chair you will embrace challenges, make decisive choices and inspire collaboration among peers and stakeholders. While direct Further Education or Higher Skills experience is not essential, your leadership, background and strategic insights will be invaluable. Leveraging your knowledge of public sector finance, the socio-economic landscape of South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire, the political landscape locally and nationally and the transformative role of further education, you will enhance the Group’s profile and governance, positively impacting students’ lives.

You will be supported by a highly professional and committed Executive Leadership Team, a dedicated and skilled Board of Governors and an experienced Director of Governance. A passion for education, sensitivity to the region’s demographics and an understanding of the Group’s role as a community anchor are vital, alongside maturity to strengthen governance and experience as a governor or trustee.

Able to offer your time flexibly, you will commit on average three days a month to your role with the Group. This is a voluntary role and expenses will be paid in line with the Board’s policy.

All meetings of the Board and its Committees are in the early evening and some availability for daytime meetings with staff and stakeholders will also be needed.

If you would like to know more about the RNN Group, the Board and the Chair role you are warmly welcome to get in touch with us through our Director of Governance, Sarah.Connerty@rnngroup.ac.uk.

This is a important appointment and to help us to find the right person we have appointed FE Associates. Prior to applying for the position, interested parties are encouraged to arrange an initial conversation with our lead consultant, by emailing Suzanne.Thurlow@fea.co.uk, to discuss the role before the closing date.

Janet Pryke, interim Chair RNN Group Board
Jason Austin, CEO and Principal RNN Group