Governance

Janet Hilton, Clerk to the Governors

To follow

James Pearson, Chair of Governors

James is a former Winstanley student and went on to achieve a First-Class degree in law, before qualifying as a solicitor at a global law firm. James is a lawyer specialising in commercial contracts, intellectual property, privacy, and cyber security. James has a wealth of experience in both the public and private sector having held senior positions within both.

As Chair of the Board, James is responsible for ensuring the effective management of Governance at Winstanley and for providing decisive leadership to the Board. James is an ardent supporter of the need for high-quality education to enable young people to realise their ambitions and he works to ensure that Winstanley College achieves its mission of ensuring that students achieve academic excellence in a supportive and inspiring learning community.

James was appointed Chair of the governing body in January 2017 having first been appointed to the Board in February 2011.

Elizabeth Collins

Liz has worked in rail transport for 24 years, undertaking many senior executive roles, including Managing Director of Transpennine Express. Liz is Finance & Commercial Director at First Trenitalia West Coast Rail Limited, which includes Avanti rail services, and is part of the global transport operator FirstGroup. 

Liz is a Chartered Accountant and was recognised at the Northern Power Women Power List as one of the top 100 influential women in the North of England. 

Diane Norburn

As a former Winstanley College student, Diane is proud to be part of the governing body in supporting staff and students. After leaving Winstanley College, she went on to gain her degree and teaching qualification at Edge Hill University.  Diane also has other professional qualifications in marketing, coaching, careers guidance and senior management.

Having worked in the education sector for over twenty years, from primary level through to university, she has a vast experience of the importance of learning at all stages and is passionate about helping young people work towards their own aspirations and goals.  Currently, Diane works as a Senior Project Manager for Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Diane lives in the local community with her husband, two teenage boys and dog and is always keen to support the local area.

Michael Oates, CA

Michael is a former Winstanley student who went on to study British Politics and Legislative Studies (BPLS) at the University of Hull. He spent time at the Palace of Westminster working as a researcher and caseworker for a Member of Parliament before training as an accountant and being admitted as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (“ICAS”), who he currently also supports as a volunteer mentor via their charity foundation.  

Professionally, Michael is a Chartered Accountant and is a Partner at RSM, specialising in audit and assurance.

Michael brings his experience and expertise to chair the College’s Audit committee.

Simon Lett, Principal

Simon was appointed Principal of Winstanley College in 2024.

Originally from Birmingham, he has a BA honours degree and a Masters degree in Media and Communication, and National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership.  Simon started his teaching career at Sutton Coldfield College, moving to Filton College, Bristol and then Blackpool and the Fylde College, where he managed a wide range of courses.

In 2004, Simon was one of the founding members of the management team at Longley Park Sixth Form College, Sheffield which opened that year.  This experience enabled him to develop a number of cross-college roles and in 2008 he joined Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College, Leeds initially as Assistant Principal and then as Vice Principal, responsible for curriculum and quality assurance.  In 2016 he joined Greenhead College, Huddersfield as Principal and Chief Executive. 

Simon is an avid film-goer, has a strong interest in jazz and enjoys circuit training in his spare time.  He is married with two children.

Anthony Kearns, CDIR FIOD

Antony is a Chartered Director and Fellow Member of the Institute of Directors and is currently the Chief Operating Officer for Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group, UK and Ireland, one of the largest rail contractors in Europe. Having spent most of his career in this type of environment, he is well placed to bring both strategic and business skills to the board.

Antony is married with two children, lives locally and is passionate about business and improving the life chances for young people in the borough.

Nayyar Naqvi, OBE MBBS FRCP FRCPE FESC FACC

Nayyar graduated in medicine in 1968. He was trained in cardiology at Manchester and St Thomas Hospital, London and has been Consultant Cardiologist at Wigan Royal Infirmary since 1979. He was awarded OBE by the Queen in 2004 for services to medicine and cardiology and later in 2010 Wigan Council awarded him the Wigan Life Award for services to the public. In 2013, the council placed a Star in his name on the “Wigan Walk of Fame”. WWL NHS Foundation Trust established an annual “Nayyar Naqvi Lecture” at the Medical Education Centre in 2013 which is held in the Nayyar Naqvi Lecture Theatre. Nayyar is also MRCP Examiner for the Royal College of Physicians of London,

Nayyar is married with two grown up daughters and two grandchildren. His hobbies are golf, music (he is a member of the Halle) and reading.

Margaret McKenzie

Margaret is a former pupil of both Upholland Grammar School and Winstanley College as she was here when it changed from one into the other. Margaret is a qualified Solicitor having gained her law degree at Lady Margaret Hall Oxford. Margaret specialises in public sector adult social care, mental health and human rights law and is currently working for Tameside Council. Margaret really enjoys being a governor of the college and is proud to be a part of its outstanding success. As the designated safeguarding governor, Margaret is keen to keep a close eye on the things that ensure the college continues along its successful path.

Kevan Ryan

Kevan Ryan is the Director of Legal, Risk & Compliance at the University of Liverpool.  As the University’s Chief Legal Officer, Kevan is responsible for providing strategic legal advice to the University.  His role is also to provide strategic leadership, direction and oversight to the various compliance functions including Health & Safety, Risk Management, Radiation Protection, Occupational Health, Internal Audit and Insurance, in order to ensure consistency of approach and regulatory compliance.  Kevan is also responsible for compliance with Data Protection and Freedom of Information legislation in his role as the University’s Data Protection Officer.  Prior to joining the University, Kevan worked as a commercial solicitor with leading national law firms Eversheds and Addleshaw Goddard.

Kanayo Adingupu

Jessica Richmond

Joanne Taberner

Joanne is a Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Manchester. She is Subject Leader for the Secondary PGCE Modern Languages, acts as an academic advisor on the MEd Psychology of Education and is studying for a PhD in Education.

Joanne is a former Deputy Head with nearly twenty years’ teaching experience in schools across Lancashire. During that time, she enjoyed a variety of roles including Head of Year, Assistant Head, Professional Mentor for teacher training, and Designated Safeguarding Lead. Joanne’s interests have focussed on developing pupils’ independent learning and emotional resilience and improving support for pupils with special educational needs. Since moving into Higher Education, she has led modules on German Communication Studies and Teachers and the Law, written a Child Safeguarding training programme, and acted as Admissions Tutor.

Joanne has been awarded membership of the British Psychological Society and the status of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, which recognises outstanding learning and teaching.  

Lauren Wallace Dean

Lauren joined Winstanley in 2020 as a Personal Tutor and is now the college's EDI Coordinator and Guidance Coordinator for Mental Health and Wellbeing. Lauren studied English Language and Literature at university and went on to achieve a Masters by Research degree and PCGE in Further Education and Training. It was at university that Lauren developed an interest in equality, diversity, and inclusion through the study of sociolinguistics. 

Through her roles at Winstanley, Lauren has witnessed first-hand how pastoral support strengthens the students' personal development and allows them to reach their full potential. In all of her work, Lauren ensures that students uphold the value of mutual respect and tolerance to maintain a safe and inclusive learning environment.