Leadership

College Leadership

As a further education corporation, Furness College is ultimately led by its Board of the Corporation (Governors).

Reporting to the Board, the College’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) is responsible for all aspects of strategic and operational leadership of the College.

The SLT is responsible for ensuring that the College achieves its vision and strategic objectives, whilst upholding core values, all of which are set by the Board, ensuring the highest standards of teaching, learning and assessment, outstanding outcomes for learners, and a strong and sustainable financial position.

Led by the Principal/Chief Executive, who is also an ex officio Board member, the SLT also comprises of two Vice Principals, for Curriculum & Quality and Resources, and three Directors for Curriculum & Skills, Student Journey and Finance.

The wider College Management Team (CMT) includes all college managers and provides leadership and management across the whole college.

Furness College Organisation Chart

Senior Leadership Team

Nicola Cove
Principal and Chief Executive

Nicola Cove was appointed Principal and Chief Executive of Furness College in September 2023, having initially joined the College as Deputy Principal in September 2018.

After completing a degree in Maths at the University of York, Nicola joined the Accountancy and Audit firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1997 on its graduate accountancy training programme, based in Plymouth. During her training, Nicola worked with a broad range of clients from small farm accounts to SEC-listed companies to colleges, universities, regulated charities and other third sector organisations. In 2000, Nicola completed her chartered accounting exams and became a Member (and more latterly Fellow) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. During her six years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Nicola specialised in the public sector, and within that, predominantly further education. Nicola then moved into the FE sector, joining City College Plymouth in 2003 and rapidly rose through the ranks becoming Director of Finance and ultimately Deputy Principal.

Nicola is passionate about further education and its impact on the economic, social and cultural development of the Furness area and wider region.

In her spare time, she enjoys travelling the world, reading, and is an ardent Plymouth Argyle fan and likes to follow the mighty Green Army to away matches when they are playing in the North West.

Kate Colebourn
Vice Principal Curriculum & Quality

Kate joined Furness College in 2012 as a lecturer in Technical Engineering, quickly progressing to Curriculum Manager. In 2014 Kate took on the role of Head of Area for Technical and Build Engineering, incorporating the Construction curriculum area.

After completing a MEng degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Leeds, Kate moved to Scotland and joined the Forestry Commission as part of their Graduate Development Programme. Kate worked with developing renewables, specifically hydropower, across the forestry estate as well as working in a range of core functions including Human Resources, Procurement and Corporate Services. On completion of the programme, Kate took up the role of Glentress Peel Project Manager and managed the delivery of a £9 million new visitor centre development in the Scottish Borders.

Relocating to South Lakeland in 2010, Kate took on the position of Improvements Engineer with James Cropper PLC, a world-class advanced materials and paper products group based near Kendal. In 2012 Kate became a Charted Engineer, professionally registered with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.. While working for James Cropper PLC Kate built relationships with local education providers offering placement projects, acting as a mentor to 6^th form learners and an industrial sponsor for a series of school based projects. It is throughout this work that Kate’s passion to inspire others to learn was ignited and ultimately compelled her to move into education full time.

In Kate’s spare time she enjoys spending time outdoors horse riding, bike riding and walking with her husband and two young children. Kate also relishes the opportunity to eat delicious food in nice places!

Sue Russell 
Vice Principal Resources

Sue joined Furness College in November 2022 as the Interim Head of Human Resources and subsequently took up her current role of Director of Corporate Services in August 2023.

Prior to that she has undertaken a number of senior leader roles across HR, Operations and Business Transformation. Sue has worked in a number of sectors, including Telecommunication, Financial Services, Outsourcing and Defence, working for a number of well-known brands such as BT, Cooperative Bank and Rolls-Royce.

Sue re-located to the area two years ago and enjoys, being ‘out and about’ walking along the coast-line and into the Lake District and her drive to work, which has the most magnificent views and is her favourite of all of the daily commutes of her career to date.

Helen Gibson
Director of Student Journey

Helen joined Barrow Sixth Form College in 1995 as a Tutor in Accounting and Business and after developing an interest in education management she progressed through roles including Subject Lead for Business and Accounting, Senior Tutor and Head of Area – A Level and Access.  She subsequently became Deputy Head of Sixth Form and then Head of Sixth Form when it merged with Furness College in August 2016.

Helen has always focused on the student experience in whatever role she has worked in, and now as Director of Student Journey she overseas many aspects of a student’s journey through College life.  Helen is a the College’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.

In her spare time Helen enjoys been outdoors in the Lake District, doing some local Volunteering and, travelling with her husband and children.

Keith Wardle
Director of Curriculum & Skills

After graduating from University of Sheffield with an LLB Law degree Keith spent time living and working in China before returning to Cumbria and taking up the post of A level Tutor in Law & Politics at Barrow Sixth Form College. During this time Keith managed additional learning support provision, was a subject leader of Law which was judged an outstanding by Ofsted in 2015 before moving into a post as Head of Learning. Following the merger of the two colleges Keith transitioned to the role of Head of Area for Health & Education and Access at the Channelside campus.

Keith is a proud Barrovian who is keen to ensure all of the community can access education that meets their needs at the time they need it. He currently sits as Chair of Governors at Newbarns Primary and Nursery School.

Keith is married to a nurse with one daughter and enjoys sport, particularly American Football and following Barrow AFC and spending with his family.

Justin Smith
Director of Finance

Born and bred in Bradford, Justin attended the University of Birmingham reading Chemical Engineering. On graduation he took up a graduate accountant trainee program with a local textile manufacturer. He has gained  a wide range of experience from large public limited companies through to small family businesses. Throughout that time, he has worked himself up through the ranks from trainee cost accountant to finance director.

He has a keen interest in not for profit organisations, where contribution to society cannot be simply measured by financial gains and losses. He has a particularly keen interest in education having seen first hand his children take their journeys through the education system with all the highs and lows, trials and tribulations that this brings.

Justin is married, twenty five years and counting and has two adult sons. His passions are mountain biking, rugby league and good food and drink.