Chief Executive Officer: Mark Dacey
NAME
Mark Dacey – NPTC Group of Colleges Chief Executive Officer
EDUCATION
Having left Lewis Boys’ Grammar School, Pengam at 16 years of age with no formal qualifications, Mark Dacey progressed via Ystrad Mynach, Pontypridd and Bridgend Colleges of Further Education, through a series of City & Guilds and BTEC National and Higher National Certificates in Construction and Surveying.
In addition to a Certificate in Education from Cardiff University, he holds a BSc Degree in Building from the Polytechnic of Wales, an MSc Degree in Facilities Management from the University of Strathclyde and a Diploma in Building Surveying from the College of Estates Management. He also holds extensive professional qualifications in Building, Surveying, Health & Safety and Law. He is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
EMPLOYMENT
Mark has worked as an Instructor, Associate Lecturer, Lecturer, Curriculum Development Manager, Head of Department, Dean of Faculty and Campus Principal. He has worked in numerous colleges in Wales and in England. In 1999, Mark was appointed by the Queens Privy Council and became one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) for Education and Training working for the Office of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector in Wales, prior to being appointed Principal of Neath Port Talbot College on 1 April 2004, and subsequently Group Chief Executive on 1 August 2013.
OTHER ROLES
Mark is Chair of the Children’s Rights Unit, a member of the Public Service Board, a member of the Children and Young Peoples Leadership Group, a member of the Building Safe and Resilient Communities Leadership Group, the Chair of the Wales Negotiating Committee for Further Education and the Chair of the 14-19 Network. He is also a Director of six companies wholly owned by the NPTC Group of Colleges, including the UKs No. 1 English Language School, LSI Portsmouth.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyor
- Fellow of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers
- Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Building
- Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Deputy CEO/Deputy Principal: Catherine Lewis
NAME
Catherine Lewis – Deputy CEO/Deputy Principal
EDUCATION
Completed secondary education at Lewis Girls School and Porth County Comprehensive School followed by an LL.B Honours law degree at University College London, University of London. Became a qualified Solicitor following completion of the Law Society Finals at the then Polytechnic of Wales and two years as an Articled Clerk to Morgan Bruce Solicitors in Pontypridd and Cardiff.
Obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management from the then University of Glamorgan (USW).
A Member of the Law Society of England & Wales and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
EMPLOYMENT
Worked for Morgan Bruce Solicitors, which became Morgan Cole and now Blake Morgan from 1992 – 2005. Qualified as a solicitor there in 1994 working in their Pontypridd and Cardiff offices. In 1994 became a HR/ Employment Law specialist eventually responsible for the Swansea team of lawyers within the Firm.
From 2005 to 2012 worked for Eversheds LLP based in Cardiff but working all over the UK, becoming a Principal Associate.
Catherine has been the Vice Principal Corporate Services at NPTC Group of Colleges since 2012.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Strategic Corporate Lead
- Deputy Chief Executive
- Group Legal Advisor
- Lead on internal investigations
- GDPR Data Controller
- Commercial activities and Hafren Theatre
- GDPR
- World Wide Operations
- Skills
- Employer Engagement
- Link Director for each subsidiary company
OTHER ROLES
Chair of the Welsh Netball Association since 2011 and joined the Netball Europe Board in 2014. Treasurer of the South East Wales Netball Association. Also spent 16 years on the Committee of the SW Wales CIPD Branch in a variety of roles.
Vice Principal: Academic Services: Kelly Fountain
NAME
Kelly Fountain – Vice Principal: Academic Services
EDUCATION
Kelly attended Mynyddbach Comprehensive School in Swansea for secondary school education before completing her A levels at Swansea College in Psychology, English Language & Literature and Law.
Furthermore, Kelly’s academic background comprises of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology attained from Cardiff University, PGCE/FE lecturing qualification again successfully completed at Cardiff, several leadership courses including the Colegau Cymru: Leading Wales Management Programme in 2016 and the ILM level 7 Postgraduate Certificate and also Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management.
EMPLOYMENT
Kelly has worked as a lecturer and course-coordinator and International Baccalaureate lead across both the English and Welsh FE sectors, working in Hampshire for a number of years before returning ‘home’ to Wales in 2006. Kelly has worked as a Deputy Head of School and Head of School for Maths & Science before successfully being appointed as the first Director of Study within the College for the Sixth Form Academy, which resulted in the merging of two schools (MAS and SSL). Kelly was successfully appointed as Vice Principal for Academic Services in March 2020.
OTHER ROLES
Kelly is currently a trained Peer Inspector with HMI Estyn, completing her most recent inspection of a Sixth Form College in March 2019. Kelly was also selected as only one of four FE representatives to work in an advisory role with Welsh Government officials, regarding the reform of Post Compulsory Education and Training.
Kelly has been an active member of the General Education network group for a number of years and currently participates in the Senior Curriculum and Quality group along with other providers of post 16 education. Kelly played a pivotal role in the initial rollout of the Welsh Government Seren hub programme across Neath Port Talbot and Powys which was extended further into the pre-16 Seren hub programme across all partner schools. Kelly is currently overseeing the rollout of the Welsh Government PLA programme across the College. Kelly is chair of the Adult Community Learning Partnership for both Neath Port Talbot and Powys. Kelly is an active member of the RLSP provider group and also the Learning and Skills Network Executive group
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- PGCE/FE Cardiff University
- Leading Wales: Management Certificate
- ILM 7 Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Management
- ILM & Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management
- Estyn Peer Inspector
Vice Principal: Operational Services: Eleanor Glew
NAME
Eleanor Glew – Vice Principal: Academic Services
EDUCATION
Educated to A-level at Bishop Gore Senior Comprehensive School in Swansea. Eleanor then completed a BSc. Economics in Business Administration, at Cardiff University.
On returning to full-time study, Eleanor successfully gained an MA in Personnel Management at the University of the West of England.
Eleanor has been a fully chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) for over 15 years.
EMPLOYMENT
Since September 2003 Eleanor has worked within the HR Unit at NPTC Group of Colleges (formerly Neath Port Talbot College) initially as a Senior Officer: HR and since July 2005 as the head of the department. As Assistant Principal: HR, Eleanor has the strategic responsibility for Human Resources, Staff Development and Diversity.
Previously Eleanor has held management HR roles in Avon Ambulance Services NHS Trust and at the Young Offenders Institute at Premier Prison Services, HMP & YOI Ashfield, in Bristol.
Prior to moving into HR, Eleanor was a Corporate Analysis Manager for the Equifax Database Company, based in Wexford, Eire.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Strategic Operational Lead
- Human Resources
- Staff Health & Wellbeing
- Equality and Diversity
- Staff Development
- IT Services
- Director of JGR & Llandarcy Park Ltd subsidiary company
Vice Principal: Financial Services: Kathryn Holley
NAME
Kathryn Holley – Vice Principal: Financial Services
EDUCATION
Educated to A-level at Olchfa Comprehensive School in Swansea and then completed a BSc (Econ) Joint Honours Degree in Economics & Accounting at Cardiff University. Joined Coopers & Lybrand (later known as PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)) on an Institute of Chartered Accountants of England & Wales (ICAEW) training contract after university and after three years of professional exams and practical experience, successfully qualified as a Chartered Accountant (ACA).
EMPLOYMENT
As well as working for PwC pre and post qualification in the Business Assurance department, she has also worked for Legal & General Group Plc first as a senior internal auditor and then as a manager in Group Finance.
Kathryn has been the Vice Principal: Financial Services at NPTC Group of Colleges since December 2005.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Development and implementation of finance strategies across the entire College Group.
- Ensuring appropriate and sufficient financial planning, forecasting and other financial controls are applied by the College and all of its subsidiary companies.
- Preparing the College accounts and financial reports and those for all other legal entities under the control of the College as well as the Group consolidation.
- Development and oversight of the Group’s risk management processes.
Vice Principal: External Relations and Group Company Secretary: Gemma Charnock
NAME
Gemma Charnock – Vice Principal: External Relations and Group Company Secretary
EDUCATION
Completed secondary education at Maesteg Comprehensive School followed by an LL.B Honours law degree at Cardiff University. Became a qualified Solicitor following completion of the LPC Law Society Finals at Cardiff Law School and two years as a Trainee Solicitor to Edwards Geldard Solicitors Cardiff.
Obtained a Post Graduate Certificate in Corporate Governance (Distinction) from CIPFA
EMPLOYMENT
Worked for Edwards Geldards Solicitors, (Geldards LLP), 2002 – 2013. Qualified as a solicitor there in 2004. In 2006 promoted to Associate, 2009 to Senior Associate.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Clark & Legal Advisor to Corporation Board and Company Secretary for Group
- Annual Governance Reporting to Welsh Government
- Designated Whistle-blowing Officer and FoI Officer
- Head of Complaints
- Hafren Theatre Board Member
- GDPR Advisor
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Lead on NPT Asset Based Community Development
- Presiding Officer for Student Union Elections
- Student Union Constitution Adviser
- Governance Budget
- Business Development Unit
- Community Engagement and Responsible Business
- IT Services
- Refectory Services
- Nursery
OTHER ROLES
School Governor, Cwmfellin Primary School since 2017
A Member of the Law Society of England & Wales
Assistant Principal: Quality: Fran Green
NAME
Fran Green – Assistant Principal: Quality
EDUCATION
West Hatch Technical High School, Chigwell, Essex – A-Levels
Tottenham College of Technology – Advanced Levels in Beauty Therapy & Hairdressing Middlesex Polytechnical – Cert. Ed. in FE
University of Newport – Post Grad Certificate in Leadership and Management
EMPLOYMENT
Assistant Principal: Quality at NPTC Group of Colleges since October 2016, Director of Studies from 2012 to 2016
Head of School: HAT from December 2010 to October 2016 Lecturer/Senior Lecturer for Hairdressing and Beauty Lecturer at Tottenham College of Technology+
Stylist and Manager in salons
Therapist in an Acupuncture Clinic in the London area
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Quality Assurance
- Examinations
- Teaching & Learning
- Value Added
- Performance Data
- MAT-Vocational
- Appeals
- Nominee – Awarding Organisations
- Budget responsibilities
Assistant Principal: Curriculum: Geraint Jones
NAME
Geraint Jones – Assistant Principal: Curriculum
Geraint has been the Assistant Principal Curriculum at NPTC Group of Colleges since 2009 and prior to this date, he was the Head of School for Sport and Public Services at the College throughout 2003-2008.
Geraint has strategic responsibility for the management of the College curriculum, along with the organisation of the Welsh Baccalaureate and the 14-19 Learning Pathways curriculum across the College.
Geraint has overall responsibility for Bilingualism within the College and line manages the Director of Bilingualism, Bilingual Development Co-ordinator and the 14-19 Partnership Officer. Geraint is the chair of the College’s Bilingual Working Group and14-19 Working Group.
Geraint works closely with key stakeholders in forming partnerships and developing curriculum opportunities.
Geraint is a Director of Llandarcy Park Ltd, which is one of the College’s Subsidiary Companies.
Assistant Principal: Students: Siân Jones
NAME
Sian Jones – Assistant Principal: Students
EDUCATION
Completed O Levels at Newbridge Grammar School then moved onto the new Crosskeys Tertiary College to study A Levels. Completed a BSc Joint Degree in Earth and Environmental Pollution Sciences at the Polytechnic of Wales.
Completed the Certificate in Social Services whilst employed by Somerset Social Services and then made the decision to go back into education to undertake a PGCE – 11 to 18 with a Science and Environmental Science specialism at Bath College of Higher Education.
To support the current role have completed a certificate in Counselling and more recently around merger completed the Level 5 in Operational Management.
EMPLOYMENT
NPTC Group of Colleges – Assistant Principal: Students – August 2013 to Present Coleg Powys – Assistant Principal: Student Services, Assistant Principal: Quality Development and Assistant Principal: South Powys – 2001to 2013
Pembrokeshire College – Quality and Professional Development Manager, Curriculum Manager and Curriculum Leader – 1993 to 2001
Pembrokeshire College and Ebbw Vale College – Lecturer 1989 to 1993
Mid Glamorgan CC – Alternative to Custody and Care Worker (Rhondda) -1989 to 1991
Somerset CC – Youth and Community Worker –1988 to1989
Gwent and Somerset Social Services – Residential Social Worker –1983 to 1988 Since 1993 have been an approved Estyn Peer Assessor and Peer Inspector for FE and ACL
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Safeguarding Lead for the College and DSP
- Creating a safer learning community plan
- Safeguarding Team
- Student Vulnerable groups
- Wellbeing and counselling services
- Transition information collection
- Study Support
- Additional Learning Needs Support – discrete and mainstream, exams arrangements assessment and support
- Student Finance
- Student Transport
- Front of House Operational Services
- Student absence reporting
- ALN Transformation
- Student Involvement
- FCF fund
- ALS fund
- Cynydd
Assistant Principal: World Wide Operations: Steve Rhodes
NAME
Steve Rhodes – Assistant Principal: World Wide Operations
EDUCATION
Exeter College of Art and Design: Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Graphic Design
Doncaster Institute of Further and Higher Education: Certificate in Education
(Post 16)
Rotherham College of Arts and Technology: Counselling in the Workplace
The University of Sheffield: Master of Education in Collaborative Networked Learning
Rotherham College of Arts and Technology: Certificate in Management Studies
EMPLOYMENT
South Yorkshire Skills Training Association: Restart Tutor – working with unemployed groups
Rotherham College of Arts and Technology: Lecturer in Graphic Design, Senior Lecturer within Creative Arts, Head of Division: Production Arts and Head of Faculty: Creative Arts
Wakefield College: Director of Academy: Culture, Media and Sport with strategic responsibilty for International and Enterprise.
MCA Cooper Associates: Associate Director for International Business Development.
Cosultant: International and Enterprise.
Assistant Principal Worldwide Operations at NPTC Group of Colleges
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Director of Language Specialists (International) subsidiary company
- International Business Development
- International Office
- International programmes
- Budget Responsibilities
- Home Office Tier 4 Key Contact
- Oversight of International Projects
- College International Advisor
- Department of International Trade Lead Contact
- British Council Lead Contact
- Welsh Government International Relations Key Contact
- Department for International Development India Key Contact
- Chair of (Informal) ColegauCymru International Managers network
Assistant Principal: Skills: Nicola Thornton-Scott
NAME
Nicola Thornton-Scott – Assistant Principal: Skills
EDUCATION
MA in Leadership and Management (Education), University of South Wales, Newport.
Post Graduate Certificate in Training & Development, Wolverhampton University.
Further Education Teachers’ Certificate, Swansea Institute of Higher Education.
EMPLOYMENT
Assistant Principal Skills at NPTC Group of Colleges, (January 2010 to date).
Joined the College in May 1997 as an Assessor and became the Senior Officer of Pathways Training before taking over as Manager in March 2003.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- International strategy
- Skills Academy Wales
- Work-Based Learning Consortium
- The planning, delivery and review of the College’s Work-Based Learning portfolio in line with Welsh Government’s policy drivers
- The lead-in respect to Skills and all Sector Skills Councils
- Raising the College’s national profile in Work-Based Learning
- Supporting the planning and delivery of Gwendraeth Valley Community Enterprise (t/a Jobforce Wales) and Learnkit Limited’s Work-Based Learning provision
- Director of Jobforce Wales and Learnkit Ltd
- Business Development and Employer Engagement
- Skills for Growth European Projects (Skills for Industry and Upskilling@Work)
- The promotion of Skills Competitions.
OTHER ROLES
Peer Inspector for Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for Wales (Estyn) and member of the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW).
Assistant Principal: Higher Education: Prof. Richard Tong
NAME
Professor Richard Tong – Assistant Principal: Higher Education
EDUCATION
Richard has was educated at South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education gaining a BA (Hons) Human Movement Studies and a PGCE in Physical Education and Mathematics. He progressed to Loughborough University, receiving a Science and Engineering Council (SERC) scholarship where he gained an MSc in Sport and Exercise Science. He completed his PhD with the University of Wales in 2001 and was awarded a Personal Chair by the University of Wales in 2011.
EMPLOYMENT
Richard is a Professor of Sport and Exercise Science who began his career as a lecturer in sports physiology at Brunel University before moving to Cardiff Metropolitan University. During his early teaching career. Richard was involved in delivering physiology to undergraduate and postgraduate students and providing sport science support to elite sports’ performers. He became the Programme Director for the first single honours degree in Sport and Exercise Science in Wales, progressed to become the Director of Learning and Teaching and was then appointed as the Dean of the Cardiff School of Sport in 2013.
OTHER ROLES
Richard has made a significant contribution to the development of learning and teaching, both nationally and internationally, working for the Higher Education Academy, Quality Assurance Agency, the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and the University of Wales. He was a founding member of the national endorsement panel for sport and exercise science degrees in the UK and is Chair of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Science.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- National Teaching Fellow of the Higher Education Association
- Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Association
- Fellow of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences
- Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Management.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- HE Planning
- HE Portfolio
- HE Validations
- HE Annual Monitoring
- HE Partner Approvals/ Reviews
- Fee and Access Plan
- Budget responsibilities
- HE Bursaries
Assistant Principal: Student Recruitment: Tessa Jennings
NAME
Tessa Jennings – Assistant Principal: Student Recruitment
EDUCATION
Having studied A-Levels at Porthcawl Comprehensive School, she subsequently progressed to Glamorgan University to read Law and complete the Legal Practice Course.
EMPLOYMENT
Tessa has worked as a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Deputy Head of School, Head of School and Director of Studies. Her current role sees her responsible for Admissions, Marketing and Communications.
OTHER ROLES
Tessa has been involved in the forthcoming Wales Curriculum 2022; contribution has been mainly focused in the Humanities Area of Learning and Experience. She is also an Estyn peer inspection.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- LLB (Hons)
- LPC
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Student Recruitment Planning
- Digital Marketing
- Publications and Events
- Internal Communications
- External Communications
- Admissions Process – applications and enrolment
- School Liaison Programme
- Student Recruitment Events
- Strategic Lead for Partner Schools
- Budget responsibilities
