Table of Contents Table of Contents
Governance
This section covers information relating to the way Bishop Auckland College is governed and how decisions are made. In general, the Board is responsible for the overall functioning of the College, including the quality of service offered to students, as well as the College’s financial health and strategic direction. In some instances, information from minutes will be exempt from disclosure where it contains personal information, information that may damage the commercial interests of the institution, information that may threaten the health and safety of specific individuals or where the view of the Board is that confidentiality is necessary.
Corporate Board Members
Patrick Lonergan - Chair of the Corporation

Natalie Davison-Terranova - Principal / Chief Executive of Bishop Auckland College

Natalie became Principal and Chief Executive of Bishop Auckland College in January 2013, having previously been Vice Principal. With a love for science and technology, Natalie began her career working for Procter & Gamble as a production manager in detergent manufacture. Moving into further education in 1997, she taught and managed engineering provision in South Essex, before leading the Technology Faculty at Newham College in East London. Natalie has a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Swansea, and masters qualifications including MA local and regional development from Newcastle University and an MBA from Henley Business School. With a particular interest in the interaction between skills policy and economic development, Natalie is passionate about the role that further education plays in changing lives and bringing prosperity to individuals, businesses and communities. Natalie is a member of the College’s Search & Governance, Curriculum & Quality and Resources Committees. She is also a member of South West Durham Training’s Executive Council (SWDT is a subsidiary of Bishop Auckland College).
Ann Robinson Ruddock - Clerk to the Corporation

Ann joined the College in mid-October 2022. She has previously worked in the public and private sectors in both clerical and secretarial positions and has gained a wealth of experience in administration. Her most recent role has been to provide support to the Governance of a number of Schools within a local Educational Trust.
Simon Peacock Governance - Student Governor

I started out at Darlington Technology College and trained in Level 3 Hospitality Management however, after I qualified I took a left turn in life and joined Orange (which became EE) I worked there for 18 years in various roles including Team Leader, Sales, and Customer Service. In June 2018 I suffered a stroke which changed my life and I decided in November 2019 to attend Bishop Auckland College to study Counselling at Level 1 through till 3. However I am now studying Criminology Level 3 and loving it.
John Yarrow - Board Member

John joined the Board in December 2016. Following completion of his accounting degree in 1997, John trained as a Chartered Accountant, gaining the professional qualification in 2001. In 2002, he joined Baker Tilly (now RSM) as an Audit Senior, where he led audit fieldwork teams on several college audits throughout the North East. In 2006, he joined Allen Sykes Limited as an Audit Manager where he oversees audits varying in size in several different sectors. John Chairs Audit Committee and is a member of the College’s Search & Governance Committee.
Diane Gowland -Vice Chair of Corporation

Diane joined the board in February 2018. She is a trusted and highly experienced leader in Further Education, drawing on over 30 years’ experience implementing public policy through transformation programmes and strategic partnerships. She holds a lifelong commitment to broadening access and developing new opportunities for people through education. In recognition of her work, she received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion in 2005. Diane Chairs Curriculum & Quality Committee and is a member of the College’s Audit Committee.
Sharron Trevor - Staff Governor

Sharron began her teaching career at Bishop Auckland College 22 years ago, as a PT lecturer in Catering and Hospitality and then progressed to teaching Uniformed Public services. Previously, Sharron served in the British Army, working her way through the ranks over 12 years to Chef Sergeant. “I am passionate about teaching and learning and love my job, especially when I see the successful destinations and progressions of my learners”
Graham Currie - Board Member

Graham Currie joined the board in July 2019 and is the Finance Director of the Ebac Group. Graduating from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne with a degree in Mathematics in 1991, Graham's career at Ebac began with his appointment as a trainee accountant, before progressing through the positions of IT Manager, IT Director and Quality Director en-route to his current role. A strong commercial knowledge and a technical background has enabled Graham to design and implement a number of efficiency saving systems within the group. Graham served as a board member of SWDT, a subsidiary of BA College from March 2016 to July 2019. Graham Chairs Resources Committee and is a member of the College’s Curriculum & Quality Committee.
Christopher Hutchinson - Board Member (Safeguarding Lead Governor)

Christopher joined the board in December 2019. He was General Manager of Bignall Group Ltd, (design and manufacture of precision engineered products) until his retirement in 2018. He was previously Head of Operations for CAV Aerospace Ltd and Manufacturing Director for AEI Cables Ltd. He holds an MBA and a Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors. For many years he was a member of the Institute of Directors and a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute. Following his retirement, he volunteered as Restorative Justice Facilitator and is a member of the Board of Great Aycliffe & Middridge Partnership. (GAMP) He has undertaken training in Restorative Justice and Conflict Resolution in addition to Safeguarding, Emotional Wellbeing, Domestic Abuse, Radicalisation and Racism Awareness. He was a School Governor at St John’s School Bishop Auckland from 2000 to 2004. Christopher is a member of the College’s Search & Governance Committee and the Resources Committee.
Steven Robson - Board Member

Grant Sowerby - Board Member

Grant Joined the board in September 2021. Grant is Headteacher of Bishop Barrington Academy, he is an experienced school leader and has a strong track record of instigating and embedding educational change and improvement. He has held responsibilities of raising achievement, curriculum, school performance and school standards. Grant holds a degree in Computer Studies and an Masters degree in Education.
Keith Ivory - Board Member

Keith is an experienced board level HR professional, change agent and project manager with specialist expertise in the areas of the application of Employment Law, Mergers and Acquisitions, TUPE, Culture Change, Employee Engagement, Reward, Redundancy and Reorganisation.
With extensive professional expertise gained through holding senior HR positions within the private sector, Keith has developed a successful track record of operating effectively within fast paced, complex and continuously changing environments.
Keith established Transitional HR Limited in 2016 in response to a need for small & medium sized businesses to access expert employment related support in a cost effective and transparent way.
Throughout his career, Keith has partnered with business owners, directors and operational management teams to deliver HR related support, advice and guidance that has generated material bottom line impact.
Financial Statements
Financial Statement - Ended 31 July 2016
Financial Statement - Ended 31 July 2017
Financial Statement - Ended 31 July 2018
Financial Statement - Ended 31 July 2019
Financial Statement - Ended 31 July 2020
Financial Statement - Ended 31 July 2021
Financial Statement - Ended 31 July 2022
Instrument & Articles of Government
Instrument & Articles of Government
Strategic Plan 2021-2024
Board Minutes
Board minutes are added as they become available.
The current calendar of Corporation meetings for the 2022-23 academic year can be found here.
Contact Information
Should you require any information regarding the governance of the Corporation of Bishop Auckland College please contact the Clerk to the Corporation stating the information required using the contact details below:
Ann Robinson-Ruddock, Clerk to the Corporation of Bishop Auckland College
BISHOP AUCKLAND COLLEGE
Woodhouse Lane
Bishop Auckland
County Durham
DL14 6JZ
Email: Ann.Robinson-Ruddock@bacoll.ac.uk
Direct: 01388 443138
Switchboard: 01388 443000 Ext. 2322
Main Fax: 01388 609 294