When I was the Senior Manager for NatWest bank in the area I was approched by Sussex Downs College (formerly ECAT) to become a Governor as they were about to become self-governing, after previously being run by East Sussex County Council. They sought both corporate and financial expertise and I met their requirements. I have served as a Governor for 25 years, the last 7 years as Chair and after Ofsted judged them as Outstanding following an inspection, I retired from the Board. I was awarded an MBE in 2013 for services to Further Education.

Whilst a Governor at Sussex Downs I was asked in 1994 by the then Chair of Governors at Bishop Bell School to join their Board as they wanted additional financial expertise. I served as Chair of Finance for several years and then took on the role of Safeguarding Governor a position I still hold both here and at The Eastbourne Academy.

In 2013 I was awarded a Lifetime Achievers Award from the Eastbourne business community.