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We believe that at BSDC, you will be better connected to the world of work than anywhere else. We are committed to your success, both in College and in the wider world.
We understand that having relevant, up to date skills and knowledge is vital and we have enlisted the support of College Patrons and Fellows, former students, visiting speakers and experts, who are all on hand to connect you to your future and help you make it happen.
Kavita Oberoi OBECollege Patron and College Fellow
Kavita Oberoi OBE is one of the country’s most successful entrepreneurs. She is an ambassador for skills through the Kavita Oberoi and BSDC Academy, and supports new and growing businesses through her Oberoi Business Hub. She is the Founder and Managing Director of Pride Park’s Oberoi Consulting and is widely known from her appearance on Channel 4’s hit show, The Secret Millionaire.
Dave SmithPatron of Construction and Sustainability and College Fellow
Dave Smith is Managing Director for the UK’s leading regeneration specialist, St. Modwen Homes, and is a member of the St.Modwen Plc Property Board. Previously, Dave was Managing Director for Morgan Sindall’s Construction North business, which covers the North of England and Wales. He was also on the executive board for Morgan Sindall PLC.
Judy Naake MBEPatron of Hairdressing & Beauty and College Fellow
Judy Naake is best known for bringing the St.Tropez self tanning range to the UK and building the brand into the market leader within the UK through a combination of strong sales, marketing and PR. Judy is now officially retired but is on the board of many companies and maintains a keen interest in several businesses including Airbase Airbrush Make-Up, the company now run by her son.
Jimmy Floyd HasselbainkPatron of Sport, Health & Fitness and College Fellow
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is an internationally renowned footballer, celebrated for a glittering career which included playing for prestigious clubs Leeds United, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea. In his first season as Burton Albion Manager in 2014/15, he led them to their first ever promotion to League One.
Jamie DunnPatron of Business & Enterprise
A successful entrepreneur, Jamie was short-listed as one of the ‘Top 20 Young People in the World’. By the age of 18, Jamie co-founded the printing organisation ‘Made By Young People’ and gained high profile clients such as Aston Villa FC, Ikea and Asda. Since then, Jamie has gone on to work with Governments and educational organisations from around the world, developing Youth Entrepreneurship schemes.
Jaki GrahamPatron of Performing Arts
Jaki Graham is a successful recording artist, celebrating over 35 years in the music industry, with hits including the timeless 80s classics, ‘Could It Be I’m Falling in Love?’ and ‘Round and Around’. Jaki’s powerful and inspirational voice has made her one of the UK’s most appealing and enduring soul entertainers.
Dr Ben DunlopPatron of Engineering
Dr Ben Dunlop has got over 25 years’ experience in the heavy rail industry, and is currently the Practice Director for Energy Systems at Atkins, leading the teams responsible for energy in the transportation markets. Ben is also a leader in the transition towards digital engineering, identifying the skills needed for future generations of managers, engineers and technicians.
David BenfordPatron of IT
David is a leading expert on hostile observations through social media and emerging technologies, and is the managing director and principal consultant of digital forensic and cybercrime specialists, Blackstage Forensics. He is a Special Officer within UK law enforcement and is an Associate Lecturer of Cybercrime at the University of Derby.
Gavin PricePatron of Games Design and Development
Gavin has been enjoying creating video games for over 20 years, including credits on multiple critically acclaimed franchises and BAFTA winning series. Having worked alongside and within companies like Nintendo and Microsoft, Gavin is now Studio and Game Director of independent studio, ‘Playtonic Games’ which creates games to reach a global, broad appeal audience.
Katy Sterran Patron of Dance and Theatre Arts
Katy Sterran started her dance career as a freelance artist before becoming a teacher of dance, holding over 18 years of outstanding practice in education. She founded Flexus Dance Collective in 2003, built on her vision to provide high quality and creative training, performance and engagement, nurturing the talent of dancers throughout education, early careers and professional training.
Gavin ScothornPatron of Graphic Design and Visual Communication
Gavin studied Design at BSDC before achieving a degree. After setting up his first print shop at the age of 19, he progressed to working for large advertising agencies. He is now Director of creative communications agency, Alive, a team of strategists, storytellers, designers and planners, bound together by a common love for making people happier and businesses better.
Shaun GrayPatron of International Operations
Shaun previously studied at BSDC and went on to hold a range of positions within international business in the engineering industry. He is now European Managing Director at Ginho Group and President of the Burton and District Chamber of Commerce. He has a passion for international travel, understanding different cultures and doing business on a global scale.
Fran WilliamsPatron of Professional Services
Fran is Head of People at Playtonic Games and she has a range of business experience, from new start-ups to working for large businesses such as Cadbury. Fran has completed several qualifications at the College, including AVCE in Business, AAT Foundation and ILM Leadership and Management, and she is passionate about inspiring others to be the best they can be.
Richard WallPatron of Hairdressing
Richard is one of London’s top hair-colourists, and is co-owner of The Collective which features some of London’s finest and most experienced hairdressers. With over 20 years’ experience in flagship London salons, Richard’s extensive client list includes celebrities and high-society. Richard believes that a personal client relationship is key to creating the perfect style.
Ken StepneyCollege Fellow
Former College Governor, Ken Stepney, is a JCB ambassador, representing the company on the Stoke and Staffordshire LEP Board and chairing the area’s Education Trust. Ken is the principal of a people development company, a member of the Chartered Institute of Management, board member of the B2Gether education partnership and the Local Ambassador for the Princes Trust in Staffordshire.
Ben Robinson MBECollege Fellow
Ben became a Director of Burton Albion in February 1975 and is the Club’s Chairman and majority shareholder. His current local community and charity commitments include being President of the Burton YMCA, Chairman of Burtonian Futures Ltd, Trustee of the Consolidated Charities and Burton Addiction Centre, and Trustee and Director of the Staffordshire Community Foundation.
Michael GoodwinCollege Fellow
Previously Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Dean of the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technology at Staffordshire University, Michael now focuses on voluntary and consulting work, including working for the Engineering Council and the British Computer Society, whilst continuing to advise the Institution of Mechanical Engineers on the accreditation of courses at universities.
Dr. David BryonCollege Fellow
David became a Fellow of the College in 2014. He has strong links with the local Burton community and has served as Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Burton Mail Business Awards, and is a Trustee of the O’Connor Gateway Charitable Trust. David has also ventured into watersports, setting up the Midland’s first straight-line cable wakeboarding watersports centre.
Adrian ArgyleCollege Fellow
Adrian has served on the Governing Body since 1993 and is Vice Chair of the Governing Body. He currently serves on the Audit Committee. His family have lived locally for more than 70 years and he has practised as a Chartered Surveyor in Burton for over 40 years, latterly as principal of his own firm. He lives in South Derbyshire and is a Clerk to the Trustees of Ravenstone Hospital Alms Houses.
Edmund WallisCollege Fellow
Edmund Wallis, an engineer, spent most of his time in the power industry while also holding numerous non-executive roles in other industrial and scientific organisations. He was appointed Chief Executive of Powergen plc in 1988, has been an advisor for the Secretary of State regarding the development of the London Underground Private Public Partnership, and Chairman of the Natural Environment Research Council.
Amir Kabal OBECollege Fellow
Amir Kabal has a long-standing association with BSDC as a student, advisory committee member and former governor. Appointed magistrate in 1992, Amir then got involved in community work, supporting integration and empowerment. He has worked for better community relations for over 30 years and was awarded an OBE for services to education and the community.
David Sheepshanks CBE DLCollege Fellow
David Sheepshanks is best known for his extensive career in Football, serving The FA, The Football League and Ipswich Town over the last 25 years. Today he is Chairman of St George’s Park as well as Chairman of FA Learning Ltd (the educational subsidiary). He is a previous Chairman of the Football League, a long serving member of FA Board and former Chairman of Ipswich Town Football Club.
Tony Walker CBE DLCollege Fellow
Tony Walker has got 40 years’ experience in the motor industry and has worked at Toyota for over 25 years. Tony has held a range of senior positions at Toyota, and in 2014, he became Managing Director of Toyota Motor Europe’s London Office. With Tony’s support, BSDC has worked with Toyota Manufacturing UK for many years to create a successful training and apprenticeship partnership.
Shalini Khemka CBECollege Fellow
Shalini is the CEO and founder of E2Exchange. She was formerly on the Development Board of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and was a judge for IBM Smartcamp. She was an Investment Director at LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group and a management accountant at Deutsche Bank. She has also worked for Bankers Trust, Natwest Bank and Coopers & Lybrand.
Paul Laffey College Fellow
Paul has been a supporter of the YMCA throughout his adult life and his experience in social housing and volunteering work led him to becoming Senior Housing Manager at Burton YMCA, before progressing to the role of Chief Executive. He has led on the expansion and development of YMCA services, and volunteers as a Trustee for a number of local charities.
Kathryn Stone OBECollege Fellow
Kathryn has enjoyed a 40 year career in public service and is now Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. During her career, she spent 11 years as Chief Executive of the charity Voice UK, representing the rights of people with learning disabilities who were victims of abuse and crime. She was awarded an OBE in 2007 for her services to people with learning disabilities.
Marvin Cooke DLCollege Fellow
Marvin joined Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK in 1991 and has gone on to hold a range of management positions. He has also worked at Toyota Motor Europe in Brussels and Toyota, Peugeot, Citroen Automobile in Czech Republic. He is now Managing Director of Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK and is responsible for the vehicle manufacturing plant at Burnaston and the engine manufacturing plant at Deeside.
Rob MayCollege Fellow
Rob May is a former BSDC Business and Finance student. He is the founder and Managing Director of ramsac, a 100-person consultancy delivering IT and CyberSecurity services and support. Rob is on the Advisory Board of The Cyber Resilience Centre SE and he is also The UK Ambassador for CyberSecurity for the Institute of Directors. Rob is an award-winning speaker and a Professional Member of the PSA.
Nik HardyCollege Fellow
Nik Hardy is the founder and managing director of Hardy Signs Ltd, one of the UK’s leading professional and digital signage suppliers. Between 2018 and 2021, he has served as the President of Burton and District Chamber of Commerce. In partnership with Burton and South Derbyshire College, he founded the Hardy Signs ‘Sign and Print’ academy in 2016, aiming to train the sign makers of the future.
Kirstie Donnelly MBECollege Fellow
Kirstie is Chief Executive at City & Guilds and has worked at the forefront of skills and lifelong learning for over 30 years. Throughout her career, Kirstie has spearheaded the development of award-winning products and services across the skills landscape, and is a passionate advocate of the role of digital and social media in transforming how people live, learn and work.
Ben WebsterCollege Fellow
Ben is Manufacturing Manager for Brecknell Willis where he oversees varied projects internationally, including in London, Germany and Singapore. Ben is accountable for R&D commercialisation and oversight of the business project portfolio in the organisation, looking after a portfolio in excess of 12 projects and £30 million.
Martin WardCollege Fellow
Martin’s passion for the automotive industry has seen his career progress from Valeter to Managing Director of Autoclennz. Martin is committed to helping others realise their potential and was instrumental in the setup of the Autoclenz Valeting Centre based in BSDC’s Motor Vehicle workshops, helping to create the next generation of skilled valeters.
Lynn GouldthorpCollege Fellow
Lynn is a Governor at Burton and South Derbyshire College. She grew up and went to school in Burton, before going to university to study business studies and then accountancy. After training with PwC, she went on to have a career in the public sector for more than 30 years, and now provides internal audit and consultancy services to NHS and local government organisations.