Governor (Audit)

Derby College Group seeks a new Governor with audit expertise to help push forward its mission to enrich lives and create bright futures for all.

Time commitment: 5 board meetings per year

Location: Derby

Applications close: 9 a.m. Monday 16th February 2026

About Derby College Group

Derby College Group (DCG) is the 18th largest college in the country, supporting 54% of learners in Derby City and its surrounding area. The vision of DCG is to create world-class, accessible education opportunities that enrich lives and make bright futures a reality for all. DCG is committed to providing educational excellence, championing social mobility and driving economic prosperity.

DCG delivers high-quality academic, vocational and technical education that empowers people to achieve their ambitions while providing employers across the Midlands and beyond with the talented workforce of tomorrow. Through a dynamic and responsive curriculum, it predicts and serves the needs of its business and civic communities. Students of all ages and backgrounds are prepared for positive destinations in the next stage of their lives, whether that be further study, the world of work, entrepreneurship or independent living. They leave DCG ready to contribute to society as responsible citizens.

The Group’s portfolio of educational programmes and skills solutions is underpinned by thriving partnerships with employers, shaped by comprehensive market intelligence and informed by liaison with key stakeholders such as the East Midlands Combined Authority. A truly diverse organisation, the Group comprises four Colleges – the Roundhouse, the Joseph Wright Centre, Broomfield Hall, and the Community College, Ilkeston. Every year it caters for thousands of learners spanning post-16 students pursuing academic and technical pathways, apprentices at all levels, higher education students, and adults seeking career progression, upskilling and reskilling.

About the role

Being a Governor in the FE sector is like no other voluntary role. At Derby College Group, you will be a member of the Board of Corporation led by our Chair, Andrew Cochrane, contributing to the overall responsibilities of the Board, which include:

• The preservation and development of the educational character and mission of the Group and oversight of its activities.
• Setting and communicating the Group’s strategy and goals.
• Exercising effective control to ensure that funds and assets are protected, the organisation remains solvent and legal obligations are met.
• Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance and quality of the college and for the performance of staff.

The DCG Corporation structure consists of five Board meetings per year with all Governors attending and a number of specific committees, including Curriculum Performance, Audit, Finance & Resources and Strategy & Curriculum Planning, feeding into the main Board.

Who we are looking for

As a member of the Corporation and Audit Committee, you will attend all Board meetings as well as the Audit Committee meetings. We seek someone ideally with a regulatory background, an active interest in further education, and someone with strategic awareness experience and understanding, as well as critical reasoning skills and the ability to engage in board-level discussions and decision-making. Most importantly, you will be passionate about the power of education at all stages in life and will have an understanding of the area, both the City of Derby and the wider East Midlands. You will also be a team player and a critical thinker, using these skills to work closely with other Governors to continue to drive forward the success of the College for students and the City of Derby.

Peridot Partners and Derby College Group are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

Please click 'Apply on website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply. Applications for these roles close at 9 a.m. Monday 16th February 2026.