The Governors

Alison Watson Bird | Chair

Alison has worked in the Financial Services sector in the UK and Europe for over 30 years. In that period, she has held a number of senior leadership roles across internal audit, strategic development, global operational transformation, regulatory compliance, risk management and supply chain management.

For over a decade she has been the Managing Director of her management consultancy business working with a number of FTSE 100, Tier 1 and consultancy clients in developing market leading strategies, solutions and end to end delivery of large scale, complex, business, technology and regulatory transformation programs with typical budgets of £50-£150m. She is passionate in building truly transformative experiences that help businesses excel whilst delivering customer and user experiences that genuinely delight.

Clare Russell | Principal & CEO

Clare has been Principal & CEO at Runshaw College since August 2020. She has worked at Runshaw since 2009, first as Head of School for Digital Technologies, then Assistant Principal Quality and then as Deputy Principal for 7 years prior to taking up the Principal role.

Clare qualified as a teacher in 2000 and has successfully taught a wide range of Computer Science and ICT courses, from Entry to Foundation Degree levels, to young people and adults. Since 2014, Clare has also served as a part-time Ofsted Inspector, working with other colleges to help raise standards.

Simon Drew | Chair – Finance Committee

I am delighted to be part of the governorship of Runshaw College. The role as Chair of the Finance Committee at Runshaw links well with the work that I do for a large local employer in the North West as their CFO couples with the employment opportunities that further education brings to individuals.

Michael Lowe | Chair – Audit Committee

Michael is an Audit Director at Grant Thornton UK LLP and works across the North West with clients across a number of different sectors. Michaels has worked in the financial sector since graduating from the University of Manchester. He supports companies through periods of growth, providing business insight gained from his experience of advising large listed businesses and smaller owner managed businesses. In his spare time, Michael enjoys cycling, fell walking and cooking.

Richard Evans | Chair – Standards & Curriculum Committee

Richard is the Vice Principal for education and standards at Kendal College of Further Education.  He joined Kendal College 20 years ago as Childhood Studies lecturer, and has operational experience of full time vocational, technical and academic programmes, apprenticeships and Higher Education. Richard is a member of the Standards & Curriculum Committee.

Martyn Lylyk | Chair – Search & Governance

Martyn has worked in the Banking sector for the past 20 years and is currently a Relationship Director with NatWest. He works with a broad range of corporate businesses across the North West, both in terms of sector and ownership to support their growth ambitions. Martyn also leads the Bank’s technology sector team across the North of England, which is focused on supporting both early stage and established technology companies. With a strong risk management focus, Martyn is an advocate of building (personal) networks to share knowledge and promote business success.

Portia Bailey Barrow

Portia is currently Chief of Staff at the Education and Skills Funding Agency. She is an experienced civil servant having spent time in various government departments and worked on high-profile issues such as the implementation of Universal Credit and the Northern Powerhouse Programme. Whilst on secondment to Manchester City Council, Portia also worked with young people, local business leaders and council executives to develop a bid for Manchester to become the European Youth Capital.

Much of Portia’s career and significant volunteering contributions have been focused on young people, both in England and overseas, and on ensuring that they have the best opportunities for future personal and professional success. Portia has a degree in International Management from the University of Manchester, including a year studying in the USA at the University of Minnesota.

Graham Murphy

Graham has worked and taught in Further and Higher Education for a number of years having completed a Sports Science degree in 2000. He now works for a small national independent training company based in the Lake District that provide leadership and management training as well as apprenticeships. Having held a breath of roles from Lecturer through to Head of Quality as well as being a Director, all within education, Graham has a broad and deep understanding of post 16 education and its requirements to be successful.

Dominic Martinez

Dominic has worked in the education sector for over 20 years in both a Higher Education setting and more recently in Further Education. As part of his work on entrepreneurship with the University sector, he helped over 1000 people start their own business and managed a number of business incubation facilities. Over the last few years, Dominic has worked with organisations helping providers and employers with T Levels. He is passionate about education and supporting all learners to achieve their best and helping the vocational element of the education system work even better.

Ade Oladapo

Dr Adebayo Oladapo has been an academic/project management consultant for over 30 years working in several institutions in Africa, Asia and Europe. He has headed BSc/MSc courses in Nigeria and South African and is currently the course leader for the MSc Project Management/MSc Construction Project Management courses at UCLan, Preston, where he is also the Research Ethics Lead for the School of Engineering. He is a researcher who is actively engaged in the global research community contributing on editorial boards/review panels of journals as well as scientific committees for international conferences.

He has over 40 research publications in journals, conference proceedings and book chapters and won the JW Nelson Trust Research Excellence Award in South Africa in 2007. He served on the global panel of judges for the inaugural Association for Project Management (APM) Festival of Education and Research in 2020 to select the best project management research.

Gary Hall

A qualified Accountant, Gary has extensive financial management experience within the public sector, and is also a non-executive Director of a local Credit Union. Through his work, Gary is passionate about making a difference to people’s lives and relishes the opportunity to contribute to the life of the College.

Motunrayo Ainenehi | Student Governor

Motunrayo is currently studying A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Psychology, and is a member of Runshaw’s Student Union, Medical Society and Biology Society. She describes herself as approachable, empathetic and determined and she feels passionately about making a difference to the students at Runshaw College.

Marc Balshaw | Co-opted Member

Marc is a Senior Tax Manager at Grant Thornton LLP and supports companies across the North West from small owner managed businesses to multi-national Corporations. He advises clients on a range of areas including corporation, entrepreneurial and transactional tax matters. Marc graduated from the University of Manchester with a first class honours degree in Mathematics with financial maths and used to play rugby at a semi-professional level.

Diane Bourne | Co-opted Member

Diane qualified as a Civil and Structural Engineer from Bradford University and also holds a Diploma in Environmental Management. Diane is the Managing Director at Eric Wright Civil Engineering Ltd, based in Preston and is responsible for a £60m water and infrastructure business which employs more than 250 staff. Diane is also a main board director of the Eric Wright Group and also its Group Technical Director. With more than 30 years in the industry, Diane has held a number of senior positions, including Chair of the North West Civil Engineering Contractors Association.

Diane is also a Trustee of the Eric Wright Learning Foundation, which in partnership with Preston’s College seeks to provide training opportunities for 14-16 year olds and 16+ young adults, who want to pursue a career in construction and engineering.

Louise Myers | Co-opted Member

Louise is a lawyer at CG Professional, a commercial law firm. She specialises in employment law and her clients range from owner managed companies to PLC’s and public sector organisations. Louise has particular specialisms in the manufacturing, social care and education sectors. After qualifying and training at an international law firm over ten years ago, Louise jointly set up her own legal practice CG Professional in 2017.

David Grime | Co-opted Member

David is the Catering Services Manager at Edge Hill University. David has previously worked as a College lecturer in catering and hospitality as well as in restaurant and event management. Involvement in the local community is something that is important to David, and he is keen to ensure that students receive a great experience whilst learning something that he is passionate about.

Steven Haycocks | Co-opted Member

Steven is the Headteacher at Balshaw’s High School. He has been in education for 24 years with 10 years as a senior leader in 11-18 schools prior to headship at Balshaw’s. His degree is in English Literature and Linguistics, but he also takes a keen interest in the use of technology in education having also been a Head of ICT. With a number of years specialising in curriculum design and implementation, Steven sits on the Curriculum and Standards Committee.

David Chamberlain | Co-opted Member

David is the co-founder of a web-based content creation platform, Viddyoze, which has 200,000 customers worldwide. David is a proven entrepreneurial leader with a passion for building and scaling businesses in the digital and technology sector. Having led the business from inception, David has developed a wide range of skills within sales, marketing, development and operations.

Stuart Hide | Academic Staff Member

Stuart is the T Level Course Leader for Design, Surveying, and Planning, a role which allows him to inject creativity and ambition into every element of the program, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded and industry-relevant education. Stuart received a Staff Excellence Award during Runshaw College’s 50th Anniversary in April 2024, highlighting his commitment to advancing T Level planning and development.

Having transitioned through various educational roles, from KS3/4 educator to Assistant Headteacher, Stuart has consistently contributed to student success and personal growth. With a diverse professional background in military engineering, security, architecture, and a first-class honours degree in interior architecture and design, Stuart brings a wealth of industry knowledge and leadership experience to his role as Academic Staff Governor.

Danniella Sillence Benson | Support Staff Member

Danniella is currently working in the Enrichment Team as an Activities Officer. Previously a student at Runshaw College on the A Level programme studying A Level Psychology, English Combined and Fine Art, Danniella continued her studies to degree level in English Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Chester before then completed a Psychology BSc at the University of Central Lancashire, achieving a first class and graduating in 2021.

Danniella is keen to empower students to develop leadership skills through running their own clubs and enable them to develop communication and planning skills that will benefit them greatly in the future.

She is also passionate about supporting mental health, both of our students and staff and believes Enrichment is a key factor in supporting student wellbeing and should be accessible and open to all.