Donna Clifford

Donna joined the board in October 2021 and is a civil servant working for Ofqual leading on the implementation of the Government’s qualifications and funding reforms.

She has vast experience in the further education sector starting her career in education as a lecturer. Over the years Donna progressed to roles such as head of HE, assistant principal of quality improvement and deputy principal. Most recently she has project managed four college mergers, supported the Department for Education in the roll out of T Levels and technical reforms, set up a private training provider and provided training for the Level 4 Quality Practitioner standard.

Alongside these roles, Donna has served as an Ofsted Inspector and curriculum advisor to the Deputy Commissioner on the Area-based reviews. Whilst not a qualified accountant, she also has experience of funding/sub-contracting audits and Independent Business Reviews.

In her spare time, she provides governance support to the Board of Barnsley Women’s Football Club, is member and contributor to the Chartered Quality Institute and is a custodian of a National Trust gatehouse at Clumber Park.