Our Leadership Team
Meet our dedicated Leadership Team, committed to delivering excellence in education and supporting every student’s success at Sandwell College.
Our Leadership Team
Our leadership team brings experience, passion, and a student-focused approach to ensure the highest standards of education and support at Sandwell College.
John Tew
Acting Chair of the Governing Board
John is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute and retired Managing Director of a West Bromwich based insurance brokers. He has extensive commercial and financial expertise gained over many years on boards of various organisations including education and charities.
A past President of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce he now combines his outward facing time as a governor with work with a substantial local charity as a co-opted member focusing on governance and with Sandwell Local Authority as an Independent Person dealing with complaints.
John originally joined the Board of Governors in November 2007 and served as Chair from May 2008 until July 2017. John rejoined the Board in March 2019 and is Chair of the Search & Governance Committee and a member of the Audit Committee and the Remuneration Committee.
Lisa Capper MBE
Principal & Chief Executive
Lisa joins Sandwell from Stoke on Trent College where she was instrumental in transforming the quality of provision and financial health, securing significant partnerships and profile for its continued success. This included national awards for learner voice, £20m capital and an increase in enrolments and achievement. Its ‘Skills Ready Future Ready’ strategy, the sector-skills hubs, and dynamic partnerships meant that 96% of young people progressed to positive destinations. Prior to this she was Director and Principal of Nacro, the national social justice and education charity, turning it around to Ofsted Good in 2019, creating a respected voice and campaigns on issues relating to disadvantaged young people such as the ‘Learn Without Limits’, and a national youth-voice Knife Crime report. Prior to Nacro she was VP in an Ofsted Good Further Education (FE) College group and ED of a successful Academies Trust.
Lisa was a senior civil servant in FE in the Departments for Education and Business for over 10 years leading on the ‘Skills for Life’ campaign, National Skills Academies and CAVTL (commission on adult education), and the prestigious Worldskills London 2011. In 2024 she was a finalist for Woman of the Year Awards, putting FE in the spotlight.
In January 2021, she was awarded an MBE for Services to Young People.
Asa Gordon
Deputy Principal
Joining in November 2024, Asa Gordon is the Deputy Principal at Sandwell College, bringing with him 20 years of experience in the Further Education sector. Most recently, he worked as Vice Principal for Curriculum at Bradford College, where he played a key role in developing a forward-thinking and inclusive curriculum strategy for all. Since 2023, Asa also served as a Trustee at Bradford Academy, actively supporting its mission to transform life chances for learners.
Over the past 20 years, Asa has experienced a range of leadership positions within the education sector, with key focuses including apprenticeships, adult and higher education curriculums and study programme quality. He has also established a wide range of strategic partnerships as well as leading external initiatives to further enrich the learning environment, but also widen student opportunities.
Above all, Asa has always strived to ensure that high-quality provisions exist, through first-class teaching in an inclusive framework so learners’ goals can not only be achieved but exceeded.
Emma Brannen
Senior Vice Principal
Lydia Maher
Cadbury Sixth Form College Campus Principal
Lydia is the Centre Principal for Cadbury Campus based in Kings Norton, looking after approximately 2000 young people. After graduating from the University of Liverpool with an honours degree in Business, her early career was within the Financial Services sector where she held various managerial roles for 10 years before joining the teaching profession in 2003. Since then, she has accumulated extensive teaching experience in Business and related subjects, both A Level and Vocational and joined Cadbury in 2009. As an alumna, she has a deep connection to Cadbury and was delighted to be able to return to her previous place of study where she has successfully managed curriculum, pastoral and support areas before securing her current post as principal.
Dr. Matt Lamb
Central Saint Michael’s Sixth Form Campus Principal
Matt is the Centre Principal for Central Saint Michael’s and has led the Sixth Form Centre from its set-up in 2012 to its current success welcoming over 900 students and securing its reputation for quality. Matt has been teaching for over 20 years in colleges and universities and has been a highly successful manager leading both academic and vocational provision. Matt was educated at Universities in Bristol, Birmingham, London, Worcester and Oxford, has an honours degree in Politics and History, and several higher degrees including a PhD. As well as teaching Matt is involved in politics as local councillor, cabinet member and parliamentary candidate.
Becky Beaty
Executive Director of Human Resources & Organisational Development
Becky is responsible for Human Resources and Organisational Development and joined the College in 2018 having served the education and skills sector in both public and private sector settings for over 12 years in a range of senior HR roles. Initially specialising in recruitment and people development she is a Chartered Member of the CIPD, holds an honours degree in French & Linguistics, a Masters’ degree in Human Resource Management and is licensed to practice the delivery of psychometric testing and profiling.
Ian Oldacre
Director of Estates
Ian joined the college in 2024 as a highly experienced lead for all aspects of Estates Management. He graduated with a BSc in Building Management (Hons) in 1997 and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Building and has gained over 35 years’ experience working in the public sector with both the NHS and Higher Education. He is responsible for leading the development and delivery of the College’s Estates and Capital Project Strategies, focusing on estates development and strategic maintenance. This includes overseeing both new construction and the extensive redevelopment of existing facilities. Ian provides strategic leadership, advice, and guidance to create innovative and high-quality learning environments, supporting the college’s mission to become an outstanding institution for the benefit of its students.
Robert Pickup
Executive Director of Finance & Resources
Rob joined the college in 2023 with significant board-level financial leadership and business transformation experience. He graduated with a BA in Accounting and Finance in 2001 and has since created and implemented sustainable financial strategies in public/not-for-profit sectors, driving value for money and optimising ROI while inspiring optimal service changes and cost-effective decision making. With multiple years of experience in the NHS, Rob’s recent career includes Chief Financial Officer at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – a £210m organisation, Interim Director of Operational Finance at NHS England – Midlands and Director of Finance, Performance and IMT at Dudley & Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust. Leveraging his senior leadership experience, Rob is also Audit Committee Chair and People Committee Member for the Hospice Charity Partnership.
Mark Salter
Head of Centre
Mark is a qualified teacher with over 30 years’ experience in the FE sector working within a range of different areas in a wide variety of roles. Mark has a very strong SEND background and now leads the work across all colleges for High Needs and learning support. He is responsible for a number of key areas across the college, currently working as Head of Centre for the Central Campus. Mark has extensive and successful experience of curriculum management and quality improvement, supporting the Ofsted grading for Personal Development and Behaviour and Attitudes as Outstanding in 2022.
Roxana Pal
Director of Funding, Data & Examinations
Roxana joined Sandwell College in 2013 as Director of Funding, Information Services and Examinations and has overall responsibility for all MIS functions and is responsible for ensuring full compliance on data returns made to external funders. She has 15 years’ experience of working in the FE sector, in various MI related functions. Prior to joining the FE sector, Roxana trained in modern foreign languages and worked in local government and private industry outside the UK.
Simon Griffiths
Executive Director of Strategy & Development
Simon joined Sandwell College in 2016 to work on a range of projects and innovations across curriculum areas including leading on the College’s merger proposals for Cadbury Sixth Form College. Simon works with our external stakeholders including the ESFA, WMCA, LEPs, Chambers and Local Authorities to position the College so we are able to support their strategies and to access grant funding to develop our infrastructure. Prior to joining the College, Simon graduated from Aberystwyth University with a BA (Hons) in Geography and entered the Civil Service working for the Department for Education for 19 years, most recently as the Regional Director for Post-16 Education in the West Midlands and brings extensive policy and political knowledge to the College.
Rachael Aston
Assistant Principal
Rachael joined the College in 2019 as Director of Quality, working across its multiple sites with Curriculum and Professional Support Teams. She started her career in a large Further Education College in 2001 as a full-time teacher and over her 20+ years of working in the sector has successfully led Quality, Teaching and Learning and Curriculum Teams in various leadership roles. Rachael has a proven track record for operationally and strategically leading quality improvement activity to achieve positive impact on the learner journey and has worked closely with Awarding Organisations for over 15 years as Quality Nominee, Specification Writer, Centre Quality Reviewer and External Quality Assurer.
Nargis Bostan
Assistant Principal
Nargis joined the college in 2012, and she is responsible for Early Years, Computing, Business, Hair and Beauty. Nargis started her career in ESOL and Early Years. Currently Nargis chairs the College’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and makes an immense contribution to supporting staff and students. Her external roles include Director of RES Rights and Equality Sandwell, Vice-Chair of IMAN Interfaith Muslim Action Network. Nargis is also Chair of Governors of Shireland Hall Primary Academy & George Betts Primary Academy.
Nisha Anhu
Assistant Principal
Nisha joined Sandwell College in 2015 as a Lecturer in Health and Social Care. Since then, she has demonstrated a dedication to the college’s mission, taking on various roles with increasing responsibility. Nisha’s dedication and expertise were recognised when she was seconded as Head of College at Cadbury Sixth Form College. This experience proved invaluable, leading to her current role as Assistant Principal at Sandwell Family of Colleges. Here, she champions technical education and post-16 reform initiatives. Having grown up in the local area, Nisha possesses a unique understanding of the diverse needs of the college’s learners. She is a strong advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion principles, ensuring that everyone feels supported and empowered to thrive. Her background in Psychology further strengthens her leadership, allowing her to support the mental health and well-being of both staff and students, fostering a positive and nurturing learning environment.
Scott Thomas
Assistant Principal
Scott joined Sandwell College in 2016, and has a career spanning over 20 years across Primary, Secondary, Higher, and most notably Further Education. He has held a number of successful leadership roles, most recently joining the senior team with oversight of a number of key curriculum areas along with cross-college responsibility for partnerships.
Holding a BSc Hons in Sports Science and Environmental Biology, his work has led to the creation of impactful, strategic partnerships with a range of high-profile organisations for the benefit of our students. These include West Bromwich Albion, Warwickshire County Cricket Club, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Higher Education Institutions. In addition, he leads our innovative central Birmingham site and offer Tomorrow’s People.
Angela Tombs
Assistant Principal
Angela started with the college in 2012 as the Head of Department for Creative Industries and Performing Arts. She went on to manage a number of other curriculum areas before moving into Student Services. She has a long and varied career, starting in the NHS as a Nurse; studying Fine Art and for a Masters in Art and Design History; working in the Arts then teaching in both HE and FE over the last 26 years. She is happiest when supporting learners to achieve their potential and was delighted when the College received an Outstanding from Ofsted in 2022 for Personal Development and Behaviour and Attitudes. Her team are passionate about removing the barriers to learning faced by our young people.
Sanjiv Parmar
Assistant Principal
Sanjiv Parmar, with an M.Sc. in Mathematics, is a highly qualified educator with over 19 years of experience. He is currently the Assistant Principal for Quality and Curriculum and the Head of the Engineering Centre at the Sandwell family of Colleges in West Bromwich.
Sanjiv began his journey at Sandwell College in 2015 as a Mathematics lecturer. His passion and expertise quickly led him to leadership roles, advancing from curriculum lead to Head of Section for Mathematics, a position he held for over five and a half years.
Before joining Sandwell College, Sanjiv gained extensive experience working in schools both domestically and internationally for over nine years.
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