Legal Status

Further Education Colleges were incorporated under The Further and Higher Education Act 1992 (FHEA). On 31st August 2017 City of Westminster College and the College of North West London, merged to form United Colleges Group. The College Group is an exempt charity for the purposes of the Charities Act 2011. The Corporation (governing body), through the Executive, provides strategic leadership to the College Group. It operates within the powers provided under the Further and Higher Education Act of 1992 and subsequent education legislation and in accordance with its Instrument and Articles of Government. These set out the Corporation’s composition, internal powers, responsibilities, duties, and procedures. The Corporation has also agreed on rules for the conduct of business which are known as Standing Orders.

Public Benefit

In setting and reviewing the College’s strategic objectives, the Corporation has had due regard for the Charity Commission’s requirements on public benefit. In delivering its mission, the College provides the following identifiable public benefits through the advancement of education:

Delivery of outstanding teaching, learning and assessment.
Provision of a broad and enriching programme of learning opportunities focused on helping students acquire essential work experience and employability skills.
Embracing of the diversity and achievement of every individual to ensure that they are valued and respected.
Responding to the needs of our local communities to bridge the gap to employment for adults and NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training).
Promotion and active support of volunteering in the local community.

Responsibilities

The Corporation is responsible for:

The determination and periodic review of the educational character and mission of the institution and the oversight of its activities
Publishing arrangements for obtaining the views of staff and students on the determination and periodic review of the educational character and mission of the institution and the oversight of its activities.
Approving the quality strategy of the institution
The effective and efficient use of resources, the solvency of the institution and the Corporation and safeguarding their assets.
Approving annual estimates of income and expenditure
The appointment, grading, suspension, dismissal and determination of the pay and conditions of service of the holders of senior posts
Setting a framework for the pay and conditions of service of all other staff.

Corporation Meetings

The Corporation meets approximately eachterm. Governors have agreed that members of the public may be able to attend all or part of these meetings. If you are interested in attending any meeting to observe the business of the College Group’s Corporation, please contact the Director of Governance on 020 7258 2952 or email governance@cwc.ac.uk for further details.

Annual Schedule of UCG Corporation Committee Meetings 2020-21

Minutes of previous Governing Body Meetings are available below:

Committee Structure

The Corporation has the power under the Articles of Government, to delegate certain functions to the CEO and to its committees. The Corporation conducts its business through a number of committees. Each committee has terms of reference which have been approved by the Corporation.

Minutes of committee meetings, except those deemed to be confidential, are available from the Director of Governance by emailing governance@cwc.ac.uk or at the following address:

United Colleges Group
Paddington Green Campus
25 Paddington Green
London
W2 1NB

Committee Membership

Committee Chart for Website April 2021

Audit Committee

Governance, Search and Remuneration Committee

Finance and General Purposes Committee

Search and Governance Committee

Teaching, Learning & Skills Committee

Corporation Vacancies

We are always keen to hear from people who might be interested in joining the Corporation. All Governors offer their time voluntarily and are expected to attend not only formal Corporation and relevant Committee meetings but also training events and less formal occasions such as exhibitions and performances. The responsibilities are considerable but the value of contributing to the success of the College Group and especially of its students is immense.

The appointment of new Governors is a formal process based on clear criteria, set by the Search and Governance Committee. We seek a balance of skills and experience to enhance our operation and we review our specific needs whenever a vacancy arises.

Experience of the FE sector is not a requirement but some familiarity with current issues affecting FE would be helpful. We positively welcome applications from women, disabled people and those of ethnic minority background.

If you might be interested in contributing as a Governor to United Colleges Group now or in the future, do contact the Director of Governance on 020 7258 2952 to discuss any opportunities informally.

Register of Interests

A register of Corporation Members' (Governors) and senior managers’ interests are maintained and can be inspected upon request to the Director of Governance on governance@cwc.ac.uk or 0207 258 2952

The Corporation requires all Governors to comply with its Code of Conduct for Corporation Members.

Code of Conduct for Corporation Members

List of Governors

Tony Johnston
Chair of Corporation

Franklin Asante
Vice Chair of Corporation

Jan Knight
Independent Governor

Nick Bell
CEO and Governor

Alex Fyfe
Independent Governor

Lee Horsley
Independent Governor

Matthew Green
Independent Governor

Colin Smith
Independent Governor

Angela Drisdale-Gordon
Independent Governor

Ross Mackenzie
Independent Governor

Amish Nathwani
Co-opted Governor

Laura Griffin
Independent Governor

Derrick Betts
Independent Governor

Norman White
Independent Governor

Cathy Bird
Co-opted Governor

Desmond Bishop
Staff Governor

Elom Tay
Governor