Our Leaders

Our leadership team has a passion for seeing learners, our communities and the businesses we work with succeed. They combine this drive with expertise, skills, knowledge and experience, from both the public and private sectors, to lead with ambition, care and professionalism.

Jason Austin - CEO and Principal

Jason Austin

CEO and Principal
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Jason Austin is CEO and Principal of the RNN Group. His experience incorporates 30 years of teaching and managing in the Further Education sector.

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Tracey Mace-Akroyd - Deputy CEO and Principal

Tracey Mace-Akroyd

Deputy CEO and Principal

Traceyย Mace-Akroyd is Deputy CEO/Principal of the RNN Group.ย Traceyโ€™s teaching career began as a lecturer in landbased at Rother Valley College.

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Phil Curtis - Executive Director of Finance

Phil Curtis

Executive Director of Finance

Phil Curtis is the Executive Director of Finance at the RNN Group and has responsibility for strategic financial leadership and management across the Group.

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Jane Hartog - Executive Director of HR and Marketing

Jane Hartog

Executive Director of HR and Marketing
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Jane Hartog is the Executive Director of Human Resources, Organisational Development and Marketing at the RNN Group.

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Cath Mollart - Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Corporate Services

Cath Mollart

Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Corporate Services

As Executive Director for Strategic Planning and Corporate Services, Cath Mollart has responsibility for the strategic leadership of key support areas and the development of strategies to ensure the effective delivery of the core corporate functions/services.

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Lucy Barnwell - Director of Learner Recruitment and Marketing

Lucy Barnwell

Director of Learner Recruitment and Marketing

Lucy is the Director of Learner Recruitment and Marketing and has strategic responsibility for the organisationโ€™s engagement with all stakeholders throughout the Rotherham and North Notts areas.

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Mark Ryan - Vice Principal - Curriculum

Mark Ryan

Vice Principal โ€“ Curriculum

Mark is the Vice Principal – Curriculum across the Group. Mark has strategic responsibility for all curriculum areas along with day-day oversight of all curriculum and learning within the group, leading to student/customer success.

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Daniel Stanbra - Director of Adult Education, Contracts & English and Maths

Daniel Stanbra

Vice Principal – Adult Education, Commercial and Partnership Strategy

Daniel Stanbra is the Vice Principal for Adult Education, Commercial and Partnership Strategy at the RNN Group. Daniel has strategic reponsibility for the organisationโ€™s engagement with the diverse communities across the Rotherham and North Nottinghamshire regions.

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James Godsell - Director of Business Development and Apprenticeships

James Godsell

Director of Business Development and Apprenticeships

As Director of Employer Partnerships for RNN Group, James is responsible for building and maintaining employer relationships to support our students transition to the world of work, along with supporting local employers to access the skills needed in industry.

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SLT - Stacey Higgs

Stacey Higgs

Director of Campus for Dearne Valley College

Staceyโ€™s key emphasis is to remove barriers to learning and ensure all individuals and community members are able to access a wide-ranging curriculum offer.

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Cheryl Martin - Director of Quality and Academic Standards

Cheryl Martin

Director of Quality and Academic Standards

As Assistant Principal Quality and Learner Experience, Cheryl Martin is responsible for maintaining and improving all aspects of quality assurance and improvement.

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SLT - Abi Metcalfe

Abi Metcalfe

Director of Estates, Facilities and Health & Safety

As Director of Estates, Facilities and Health & Safety, Abi is responsible for shaping the strategic direction of our Groupโ€™s investment priorities within Estates and Facilities.

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SLT - Jemma Moore

Jemma Moore

Director of IT and Digital
Laura Reid - Director of Safeguarding and Student Support

Laura Reid

Director of Safeguarding and Student Support

After completing her BSc Psychology degree, Laura joined Rotherham College as a mentor working in the 14 – 19 Development team raising aspirations.

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Mel Smith - Director of Campus โ€“ North Notts College

Mel Smith

Director of Campus โ€“ North Notts College

Mel has over twenty yearsโ€™ experience working in the Further Education sector, leading a diverse range of curriculum including Accounting, Business, Community, Employability, ESOL and Travel.

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Louise Turner

Director of Inclusive Curriculum