Jason Austin is CEO/Principal and SLT Lead of the RNN Group. Jason has worked in Further Education for 25 years having worked in four colleges, undertaking various teaching and management roles. Jason’s teaching career began as a lecturer in Sport and Leisure and since then has taught and managed across a variety of curriculum areas. He has been in College management for the past 18 years and Deputy Principal for three years at Dearne Valley College with strategic responsibility for Curriculum and Quality across the College. In his three years at Dearne Valley Jason led significant improvements to achievement rates and the student experience. Jason is on the Board of trustees with a National Awarding Organisation as a representative from the Further Education sector.

Tracey Mace-Akroyd is Deputy CEO/Principal of the RNN Group. Tracey’s teaching career began as a lecturer in landbased at Rother Valley College. She has gained extensive senior management experience as a director in large general further education colleges with strategic responsibility for curriculum and quality, equality and diversity, and teaching, learning and assessment. Tracey worked closely with individual departments and staff across multiple campuses to raise performance and achievement. Her improvement initiatives and success have received national recognition for the positive impact on staff and learners.

Prior to re-joining the RNN Group, she worked for Ofsted as Her Majesty’s Inspector of further education and skills and led inspection teams across a broad range of further education and skills providers. Tracey has particular expertise of the specialist curriculum for learners who have high needs and in the training and development of the inspectorate workforce in her role as a member of Ofsted’s national training team. She has a Masters degree in leadership and management.

Kate Noble is the Executive Director of Finance for RNN Group. She has overall responsibility for financial leadership, management and expertise for RNN Group and to ensure long term financial health and viability. Before joining RNN Group, Kate held senior finance positions in different sectors including construction and the steel industry. Kate is a Chartered Accountant (ACA) and has a PhD in Chemistry and Materials Engineering from the University of Sheffield.

Jane Hartog is the Executive Director of Human Resources, Organisational Development and Marketing at the RNN Group. She has overall responsibility for the design, development and implementation of the People Strategy for the RNN Group. Before joining the RNN Group, Jane held a number of senior positions in different organisations including Nottingham Trent University, Rolls Royce, Aviva and Derby University. She is a Fellow of CIPD and has a Masters in HRM. Her aim is to make the RNN Group a great place to work, in conjunction with the strategic vision and values of the RNN Group.

Tony De’Ath is the Executive Director of Corporate Services at the RNN Group. Prior to this he was the Clerk to the Governors at Dearne Valley College for 25 years alongside his role at the College having responsibility for Estates, Health and Safety, IT and Human Resources Leadership and Management. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Claire Godfrey is the Assistant Principal at the RNN Group, leading a diverse range of curriculum including the areas of the Arts, Creative Digital, Business Services, Engineering, Construction, Health, Care and has strategic responsibility for English and maths, in our three further and Higher Education colleges. Claire was a Director at North Notts College from 2007 onwards, leading on curriculum delivery and planning, and learner experience. Claire joined the education sector as a tutor, after running her own business alongside study at Nottingham Trent University.

Angela Bates is the Assistant Principal Student Support and Safeguarding at the RNN Group. Angela leads on safeguarding, additional learner support, nurseries and learner journey and success focused services. As Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and Special Education Needs and Difficulties (SEND) Contact, Angela chairs the Equality & Diversity Committee and is a member of the Safeguarding and E&D Management Groups. Angela has worked in the education sector for several years and was Head of Student Services at North Notts College, one of the constituent members of RNN Group. Angela previously worked in the private sector in business and administrative roles and has a Degree in Education and Training and a Cert Ed. Angela represents the RNN Group at Designated Person Focus Groups, safeguarding forums and is the lead for High Needs Students and EHCP consultations with the Local Authorities.

Lisa Wilson is the Director of Apprenticeships for the RNN Group. Lisa has worked within the FE sector for the past 10 years leading work based delivery teams for with private training providers and colleges across a range of sectors.

Before joining FE Sector, Lisa held senior management positions within International business and strategic outsourcing providers.

Lisa joined the group in Jan 2019 with strategic responsibility for apprenticeship delivery across our four college sites. Lisa’s qualifications include a BA Honours in Business Administration and is a Graduate member of Institute of Export.