Governance & Strategy

About Keighley College

Keighley College is a member of Luminate Education Group. The wider group consists of Harrogate College, Leeds City College, Leeds Conservatoire and University Centre Leeds. More information on Luminate Education Group can be found through the button below.

Governance at Luminate

Board Minutes 2022/23

The Board of Governors

Keighley College Board was established in 2017 as part of the Luminate Education Group governance structure. The objective of the board is to undertake the oversight of the operation of Keighley College (developmental, quality and financial aspects) on behalf of the Group Board. It works closely with Group Board and the Group’s other Boards and Committees to deliver Group priorities. The Keighley College Board Terms of Reference can be found through the button below.

Terms of Reference

  • COLIN BOOTH OBE

    Colin was appointed as Principal and CEO of Leeds City College in 2015 before the change to become Luminate Education Group. Prior to moving to Leeds, Colin was Principal of Barnsley College for seven years where he steered the college to an Ofsted rating of outstanding.  He has worked in the further education sector for over 35 years; his background is as a teacher and manager in Skills for Life and provision for students with disabilities or learning difficulties. He has also worked as a part-time inspector for Ofsted and the Adult Learning Inspectorate.
    Colin was awarded an OBE for services to further education in the Queen’s 2015 New Year Honours list.

    As Group CEO Colin is a governor of the Luminate Education Group and sits on each board within the group’s governance structure; he is also a member of the Finance Committee, Governance & Nominations Committee and Property Strategy Committee

  • MATT FINDULL

    Matt is an experienced public sector manager with extensive experience of working in the education and skills sector. Formerly with the Learning and Skills Council, Matt is now with Bradford Council. He has considerable experience as a governor in secondary and primary schools in Bradford.

    Matt is a governor of the Luminate Education Group and Chair of the Keighley College Board.

  • CAROLINE FIRTH

    In addition to her governance role within Luminate Education Group, Caroline is a district councillor in the Keighley East ward, in which Keighley College is based, and is the Bradford district’s deputy executive member for climate emergency. She is a governor at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, Strong Close Nursery School and Shipley Churches Together, and holds other advisory non-voting roles on several community-based boards across Keighley and the wider Bradford district.

    Caroline has previously been a chair of governors at an all-age special school for children and young people with severe and complex needs, and is a founder of Keighley Imagination Library, which offers a free book every month for children in Keighley East, West and Central from birth until the age of five.

  • AISHA ALI

    Aisha is a teacher who has worked extensively with disadvantaged, alienated and vulnerable people, and works with children with SEND. Aisha has taught in a variety of educational settings across West Yorkshire and has experience teaching a range of subjects including English, Maths and ESOL. Aisha is a co-opted member of the Keighley College Board and University Centre Leeds Board.

  • LEXI HARNEY

    Lexi is the student member of the Keighley College Board.

  • JO RUSDEN

    For the last two decades, Jo has been an innovative practitioner of ESOL teaching, both within Luminate Education Group and at educational facilities across three continents. Her dedication and professionalism have seen her achieve the role of deputy head with oversight for Adult and Community, a remit that includes high achieving practice in English, Mathematics and Digital Skills courses alongside a gamut of community education options. Jo’s passion for education is reflected in the CLLD programme at Keighley College that has supported nearly 200 individuals in turning their life opportunities around though education and employment. Jo was instrumental in Keighley College being recognised and awarded as a College of Sanctuary.

    Away from her career, Jo maintains a hectic schedule of charity work, having raised many thousands of pounds for a range of significant causes. In recent years, this dedication to helping others has seen her chair the Ilkley Macmillian Fashion Show, where by liaising with leading designers and production companies, the show has raised over £16,000 in the last two years alone.

    Jo is the staff member serving on the Keighley College Board.

  • JULIA GRAINGER

    Julia’s career started in several nursing roles. She then moved into various higher education and further education roles, including at Leeds Metropolitan University (now Leeds Beckett University). She spent seven years as a principal lecturer at the university and also held external examining roles in Health and Childcare. Julia was most recently interim head of division for Health, Social Care and Childcare at Nelson & Colne College Group. Past accomplishments include developing several further education and higher education awards and acting as chief moderator for the NCFE on Early Years awards. Twenty years ago, Julia was team manager for Care and Counselling at Keighley College.

    Julia is a co-opted member of the Keighley College Board.

Board Recruitment

Taking on a governance role is a hugely rewarding experience, allowing you to use your personal expertise and skills to help shape the future of our region and improve the prospects of our young people.

Governors are recruited from all sections of the community and applications are always welcomed from people of all cultural backgrounds.

If you are proud of your community, passionate about the future of the region, and want to utilise your valuable experience by contributing in a governance role, please get in touch. Email Melanie Halstead, director of governance.

Want to know more?

To find out more about governance at the Luminate Education Group, or to express your interest in a governance role, please contact Melanie Halstead, director of governance, by email at melanie.halstead@luminate.ac.uk