Chair of Corporation in Durham

Become a Chair of an FE Corporation. Use your expertise to shape education, influence communities, and lead with purpose. Roles available at colleges across England.

Are you a senior business leader, board member, or experienced governor looking to make a meaningful impact beyond your executive or non-executive career? The Education Training Collective (Etc.) is an Ofsted Outstanding group of colleges and training providers serving Teesside and beyond, supporting around 11,000 learners each year from Entry Level to Level 7. Bringing together Stockton Riverside College, Redcar and Cleveland College, Bede Sixth Form College, NETA Training and Innersummit, the Etc. combines high performance with real heart - raising aspirations, widening opportunity, and equipping people and employers with the skills needed for the Tees Valley’s growth, regeneration and transition to greener industries.

Recently recognised as a Clean Energy Technical Excellence College (CETEC), the Etc. is strengthening its role in leading clean energy and low-carbon skills development across the region. With the current Chair preparing to step down, the Etc. is seeking a new Chair of Corporation to provide strategic leadership and guide the Board through an important period of delivery, growth and change, including the development of a new Strategic Plan from September 2026, the completion and opening of a major NETA capital investment, and progression of Office for Students registration.

Working closely with the Chief Executive and Group Principal, the governance team and an engaged Board, the Chair will enable excellent decision-making, foster robust and well-structured discussion, and strike the right balance of support and challenge. The role suits a senior leader with strong board-level experience, whether from education or another sector, who brings sound judgement, influential communication skills and a genuine commitment to inclusion, ambition and improving life chances for learners and communities.

Why this role matters

Further education colleges educate and train over 1.6 million learners each year, equipping people with the technical, professional, and vocational skills our economy depends on—from engineering and digital technology to health, construction, and advanced manufacturing. As Chair of the Corporation, you will lead the board of an FE institution (and registered charity), helping to ensure effective governance, financial sustainability, and accountability for performance. Your leadership will support the college principal and senior team while ensuring the board remains focused on delivering its mission in the best interests of learners, employers, and local communities.

This is an opportunity to:

• Lead a governing board with purpose and impact
• Apply your senior leadership and board experience in a charitable and public-interest setting
• Influence education, skills, and local economic growth
• Champion strong governance, accountability, and strategic ambition
• Support a vital sector through change, challenge, and opportunity

What will you be doing?

As Chair of the Corporation, you’ll play a pivotal leadership role in setting the tone, culture, and effectiveness of governance. You will:

• Lead the board strategically: ensure the corporation sets clear priorities aligned to the college’s mission and long-term goals
• Support and challenge senior leadership: build a constructive relationship with the principal/CEO, offering guidance while ensuring appropriate accountability
• Enable effective governance: chair board meetings, guide discussion, build consensus, and ensure high-quality decision-making
• Act as a charity trustee: help oversee financial sustainability, legal compliance, and the effective stewardship of public funds
• Promote good governance culture: foster inclusion, integrity, transparency, and collective responsibility across the board
• Represent the college externally: act as an ambassador with stakeholders including employers, regulators, local authorities, and community partners
• Support board development: help recruit, induct, and develop governors to ensure a strong and effective corporation

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking individuals with significant senior leadership, board, or governance experience, and the credibility to lead a diverse governing body with confidence and integrity. What matters most is your ability to:

• Think strategically and lead with sound judgement
• Chair meetings effectively and build productive board relationships
• Balance support and challenge
• Understand risk, accountability, and organisational performance
• Commit to improving opportunities for learners and communities

Previous FE experience can be helpful, but it is not essential. We welcome applications from experienced leaders who can bring transferable skills, fresh perspective, and a strong commitment to public service. Full induction, development, and ongoing support will be provided.

Time commitment

The Chair role requires a greater commitment than that of a governor, but it remains manageable alongside many senior professional roles. You should expect to commit approximately 2–4 days per month, including:

• Chairing board meetings and, where relevant, committee or strategy sessions
• Meeting regularly with the principal/CEO and clerk/governance professional
• Reviewing board papers and preparing for meetings
• Supporting governor recruitment, development, and effectiveness
• Undertaking training, college visits, and occasional stakeholder engagement

Some meetings may be held remotely, while others may take place in person or on a hybrid basis.

Where you’ll be needed

We are recruiting a Chairs of FE corporations in Stockton-on-Tees. Some colleges operate with remote or hybrid governance arrangements, while others may seek someone able to engage in person on a more regular basis. We will aim to match you with opportunities that reflect both your experience and your availability.

What’s in it for you?

As Chair of an FE corporation, you will:

• Lead with purpose in a significant board-level role
• Extend and enhance your governance portfolio
• Expand your network across policy, education, business, and civic leadership
• Make a lasting and measurable difference to learners, communities, and the economy

About Boards for Education

Boards for Education is a charity that sources and supports volunteers onto governing boards. We aim to improve educational outcomes for children, young people, and adult learners by strengthening governance across the education sector. We offer specialist governor, chair, and trustee recruitment services as part of our mission to build exceptional boards.

Ready to lead with purpose? If you are ready to bring your board-level leadership, strategic insight, and commitment to public value into the education sector, this is a powerful opportunity to make a difference. Help shape the future of skills, opportunity, and social mobility by becoming a Chair of an FE corporation. Apply now to explore Chair opportunities at colleges across Stockton-on-Tees.