Boston College's Governing Body is made up of a group of people from a variety of different sectors of the local community as well as College staff members and current students.
The College Governors make an important contribution to the life of the College and its students, helping to ensure that it is well run and meeting the needs of the local community.
Boston College - Board Members Declarations of Interest 2023-24
David Earnshaw, Chair of Corporation
Parkinson Harness Technology
David graduated within an Engineering Degree from Bristol University in 1987 and since then has been working in the UK manufacturing sector. Starting at the BMW factory that now produces the Mini in Oxford, David worked at a various automotive and FMCG companies before moving to Lincolnshire in 1997 to take over the running of what was to become Parkinson Harness Technology.
David has played a variety of sports at club level and still cycles regularly although these days he tries to avoid situations that are likely to result in falling off.
Heather Lee, Vice-Chair of the Corporation
Head of Human Resources, Lincolnshire Co-op
Heather is Head of Human Resources for Lincolnshire Co-op, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and has built a profession career in Human Resources and Learning & Development including FTSE 100 companies. Heather has a degree in Economics from the University of York and, also an MBA.
Heather is Lincolnshire born and bred and has a range of experience as a Secondary School Governor, Chair of Governors, charity Trustee and was a founding member of the Greater Lincolnshire Employment and Skills Board, representing the business community and the GLLEP on the Area Review for Lincolnshire.
Heather is a member of both the Audit Committee and the Search and and Governance Committee.
Nick Worth
South Holland District Councillor
Nick has been a South Holland District Councillor for 24 years, 20 as Deputy Leader. In May 2023 Nick was elected Leader of the Council. He holds the Economic Development & Partnerships portfolio, which covers infrastructure, inward investment and skills.
Nick was formerly an Executive Member on Lincolnshire County Council with a portfolio covering Heritage, Culture, Libraries, Registrars, Coroners Service and Fire & Rescue. He stood down from the role in 2021.
Nick joined Boston College Board of Governors in December 2015 and has been the Vice-Chair of the Corporation and Chair of the Search and Governance Committee, until his Leadership role at South Holland District Council took precedent.
Daran Bland
Director of Governance and Operations at C.I.T
Daran is the Director of Governance and Operations for the Community Inclusive Trust, an education multi-academy Trust with 14 Lincolnshire based schools. Daran has previously been the Executive Head Teacher of three local special schools, one of which was John Fielding Special School in Boston. He was born in North London and relocated to Lincolnshire in 2002.
Daran is the chair of the Standards Committee, with a keen interest in the curriculum offer and outcomes for all students across the College.
Gavin Booth
Chief Executive Officer, Infinity Academies Trust
Gavin is the Chief Executive Officer of Infinity Academies Trust. A Lincolnshire-based Multi-Academy Trust made up of nine primary schools. He has previously worked as the Executive Headteacher of three primary schools in the Boston area and was the Head of Service for Education Strategy for Lincolnshire County Council.
Gavin lives in Boston and grew up in Lincolnshire attending Spalding Grammar School and Bishop Grosseteste University.
Jacob Cawthorne
Boston College Student Governor
Jacob left Cowley Academy in 2024 and came to Boston College to study Level 3 Uniformed Public Services. He works as a lifeguard and swimming teacher during the evenings and weekends. Jacob aspires to join the Royal Air Force after leaving college and to become an Air and Space Operations Officer.
Dan Elkington
Independent Financial Adviser and Founder, Keep It Easy Financial Planning
Daniel is currently a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, has achieved an MSc by distinction in Financial Planning and Business Management, and is currently undertaking a PhD, studying professionalisation, which is how an occupational field becomes a publicly trusted profession.
He has recently founded his own Sustainable Financial Advice practise, assisting clients with pensions, investments, life insurance, employee benefits and so on. He has been an independent financial adviser for well over a decade. Having worked within a Law Firm, a Chartered Accountants Firm, and a National Corporate firm, he has a wide range of experiences but has always had a focus on education and development.
His previous voluntary experience extends to being trustee of the local Age UK, a director on what was Boston Witham Academies Federation, and previously was interim chairperson on The Phoenix Family of Schools Trust and has had other more short-term voluntary commitments in the past.
David Fannin
Chief Exec at Lincs Community and Voluntary Service
David was born in Belfast, worked in the Civil Service and Local Government in London for 18 years and relocated from there to Lincolnshire in 2004. He has a BSc in Geography and MSc in Public Sector Management and has previously worked as Assistant Chief Executive of South Holland District Council and Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service. He is a Director of the Lincolnshire Voluntary Engagement Team CIC, a Fellow of the RSA and a passionate advocate for the Voluntary and Community Sector.
David is a community governor and vice-chair of the Standards Committee and is keen to ensure college students get the best possible preparation for their future careers.
Mike Gildersleeves
Corporate Director of Place at Huntingdonshire District Council, Town Planner, and a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI)
Mike has worked in Local Government since 2005 in a variety of Planning roles in District, Borough and Unitary Councils; and was previously Assistant Director for Planning & Strategic Infrastructure at the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership. In his current role, he is responsible for a range of ‘place’ functions, including Planning, Economic Development & Skills, Strategic Housing & Regeneration; Environment & Climate Change; and Leisure. Mike has been involved in significant regeneration projects, and more recently played a key role in the Towns Fund, Levelling Up fund and Levelling Up Partnership proposals across Boston. In his previous role, he oversaw the Councils response to our Mayflower development proposals and was leading on the Boston Leisure project and PE21 proposals for Boston Borough Council.
Mike was born in Boston and attended Boston Grammar School. He has played sports locally; managed Ladies and Girls football teams on the Isle of Wight; and is a keen follower of Boston United.
Nick Hodgkiss
Boston College's Senior Learning Lead for Construction, Plumbing and Gas
After leaving Giles in 1987, Nick embarked on a YTS Bricklaying apprenticeship with R. Harvey Builders of Boston while studying at Boston College. Following his apprenticeship, he became self-employed and worked with various housebuilders, gradually shifting his focus towards extensions and alterations.
During this period, Nick pursued teaching qualifications, aspiring to enter the field of education. In 2013, after gaining experience by working part-time at Boston College and HMP Lincoln, he transitioned to a full-time teaching position at Boston College, where he continues to share my expertise and passion for bricklaying and construction. In his spare time, Nick subjects himself to the roller coaster ride of supporting Sunderland AFC.
Jessica Mellon
Boston College Student Governor
After taking a gap year, Jessica joined Boston College to study the Animal Management Extended Diploma Level 3 as an aspiring Veterinarian. Jessica has participated in a scholarship programme with a PhD tutor from Cambridge, achieving First Class with Honours and appeared in the newspaper, giving Jessica an edge in getting into a competitive University. Another of Jessica's achievements is a blue flying qualification, which is something Jessica loves and aspires to do again.
Jurate Matulioniene
Chairperson of BLC Group, Managing Director of the Boston English Academy and Boston Lithuanian Supplementary School and Online Lecturer at Vytautas Magnus University
Jurate is the Chairperson of the Boston Lithuanian Community Group and the Managing Director of the Boston English Academy and Boston Lithuanian Supplementary School, which she established more than 10 years ago.
Jurate is responsible for the overall running of the community group, coordinating projects and events, and networking with local community groups, Boston Borough Council, LT Embassy, and private and public sectors. She is also leading volunteering groups that develop inclusive activities to promote the school as a positive, fun, and professional environment and a leading force in the community. Through time and dedication, she has significantly contributed to the growth and success of the BLC Community Group and coordinated a number of successful local projects.
David Parnell
Regional Construction Manager (Central and London), Design, Construction and Delivery - Property Division Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
David lives in Frampton, and raised in Kirton, and is the Regional Construction Manager for J Sainsbury PLC. A former A level student at Boston College, he went onto to work in a number of roles within Food and Non-food retail, before undertaking his current leadership role, which involves the management of all Capital Projects within the Midlands and London. David also gained Master Coach accreditation at Middlesex University.
He is a Husband, and father to four girls. In his spare time, he is Chairperson of Boston Wheelers Cycling Club, and an avid supporter of Boston United
Katy Priestley
Director of Accounting Services – We Are Shapes Limited
Katy was born in Lincolnshire and is a proud mother of three. With her love for numbers and people she heads up a team who is passionate about SME's and how they get the best out of their business. Katy's team offer virtual finance functions for businesses who are looking to grow and adapt by embracing technology and innovation to streamline processes that results in better insightful reporting and team building.
Katy previously was an AAT Lecturer for Boston College for three years and thoroughly enjoyed supporting the learners to achieve their goals.
In her spare time, you can often find Katy on her local tennis courts enjoying some rallies with friends and making memories with her family.
Sandra Williamson
Chief Operating Officer - East Locality NHS Lincolnshire CCG
Sandra has worked in the NHS since 1993 and is a qualified accountant with a breadth of financial and management expertise gained with working across NHS organisations.
In April 2013, she was appointed as Chief Finance Officer for Lincolnshire East Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). The introduction of the NHS Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) on 1st April 2020, led to Sandra being appointed Chief Operating Officer for East Locality and Executive Lead for reducing health inequalities.
Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family and loves the county, with holiday home on the East Lincolnshire coast and enjoys a bit of cycling to try and keep active and she is a keen motorsport fan.
Fiona Wrisberg
Boston College's Director of Information Services, Funding and Compliance Finance and Corporate Services
Fiona was born in Hampshire and spent most of her life living in Kent, before finally settling in Lincolnshire. Fiona joined the College in 2004 as a curriculum administrator and has worked her way up to be Director of Information Service, Funding and Compliance.
Outside of work, Fiona volunteers as a Pet Loss Support Officer for the Blue Cross, as well as taking part in Parkrun on a weekly basis, and has just completed her first half marathon.
If you would like to contact the Chair of Corporation, you can do so by contacting: c/o Clerk to the Corporation, Boston College, Skirbeck Road, Boston, PE21 6LF