Chair of the Corporation
Paul has dedicated his career to tackling challenges through collaboration and innovation. He has a broad range of experience built over a ten year career with Royal Bank of Scotland followed by a further decade within SME businesses at Senior Management and Director level. During his time at RBS Group he spent several years as a Relationship Manager within Commercial Banking. The training and experience he received in terms of financial understanding of business has been built upon through his heavy involvement in SME’s financial leadership.
Strategic leadership is the part of Paul’s day-to-day role, where he gains satisfaction from openly challenging the status quo while striving for continual improvement. Paul has extensive experience of designing and presenting board papers and regularly leads and sponsors proposals from the leadership team with the board. Paul frequently chairs meetings and is an advocate for board diversity, enjoying the variety of opinions from different personalities, experiences and backgrounds, coupled with the technical knowledge from the experts in the room.
Paul dedicates time to mentor other business leaders and is very much involved in local sponsorship from Southport Rugby Club to partnerships with local charities, extending the range of his voluntary work to become a member of the Southport College Corporation in 2021. Following a successful term as Chair of the Resources Committee, in January 2023, after the retirement of the previous Corporation Chair, Paul extended his support of the College by taking up the post of Chair of the Corporation.
Principal
Michelle is Principal and Chief Executive of Southport College and KGV Sixth Form College, a position she took up in March 2020. Preceding this Michelle was the Deputy Principal at Runshaw College from January 2015 and Assistant Principal at Ashton Sixth Form College prior to that, with earlier curriculum leadership roles at Bury College and Bolton Sixth Form College.
Before qualifying as a teacher in further education, Michelle’s career began in Liverpool working in medical research at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. Michelle holds a Masters degree in Zoology (through research) from Leicester University and a BSc in Biological Sciences from Plymouth University. Michelle also supports the work of His Majesty’s Inspectorate, acting as an Ofsted Inspector.
Director of Governance and Compliance
Appointed Clerk to the Corporation in 2021, Lisa is now the College's Director of Governance and Compliance, also acting as DPO and managing policy compliance.
Having started her career in one of the UK’s largest banks, undertaking roles of branch manager and financial advisor, she moved to the education sector in 2010, occupying senior roles in student support and child protection. These roles deepened her understanding of education's role in promoting social mobility, which alongside her passion for compliance and background in finance and leadership, informed her move to governance.
As a vocal advocate for equality in governance, Lisa's expertise and qualifications led to her undertaking a pivotal role in developing new governance professional’s qualifications with the ETF and IoD; she now works as an assessor for these qualifications.
Outside of work, Lisa’s dedication to safeguarding and wellbeing is utilised on a voluntary basis, as a Welfare Officer for Blackburn Centurions Swimming Club and as a dance chaperone.
Meet our Governors
Independent Governors
The individuals who serve as independents on the board of governors are from a diverse range of backgrounds and use their skills and experiences to play a vital role in the development of the College.
Staff Governors
Our staff governors use their knowledge of the College, its staff and students and to make valuable contributions to College governance and strategy.
Student Governors
Our Student governors play an crucial role, bringing their experience of the college to help drive it forwards and meet its strategic objectives.
Committees & Minutes
View or download minutes from our governors committee meetings.
Policies & Published Information
View or download all of our academic policies, college policies and published information.
Our Partnership
Southport is fortunate to benefit from two great colleges, Southport College and KGV Sixth Form College, with a shared purpose and commitment to their students.
