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External Board Reviews

The Skills for Jobs White Paper includes a focus on strengthening governance. It outlines a requirement for colleges to undertake an External Board Review every three years to help 'level up governance' across the sector.

AoC’s External Board Reviews provide a unique opportunity to celebrate and strengthen governance across the further education sector. With a collaborative and tailored approach, we help boards build on their successes while identifying key areas for development. AoC has firmly established itself as the most successful and prolific provider of External Board Reviews, with more appointments than any other External Board Review provider in the sector during the first cycle which took place between 2022 and 2024.

Governors dedicate an enormous amount of time leading the strategic direction of colleges, agreeing a mission, vision and values set within an incredibly complex context of regulation, audit, compliance and policy change. The external board review is an excellent opportunity to take stock of the work being carried out by a group of committed, successful volunteers looking to improve the opportunities afforded to their local communities. The relationship between the chair, governance professional and principal/CEO is absolutely critical in setting the tone for the leadership and strategic direction of the college and we regard the initial meeting with these key individuals as the starting point in agreeing any key themes or focuses within the review.

AoC sees the external board review as an opportunity to look at your college governance through a different lens. An opportunity to celebrate the strong practice taking place within your board and support you in identifying areas to develop and planning to improve the composition, structure and interaction of your board further in the future. Our approach to board reviews is a supportive one, working collaboratively with colleges to ensure that the report covers all key principles, but can also address key themes of importance to you.

For further information, please read our brochure or contact Briony Denvir (Briony.Denvir@aoc.co.uk).

Meet our reviewers

Gordon Smith

Carole Drury

David J Wright

Helen Hewlett

Julie Dougill

Marina Gaze

Lesley Venables

Mark Silverman

Martin McNeill

Mary Malcolm

Rachel Nicol

Rob Lawson

Paul Wakeling

Sandra Prail MBE

Shirley Collier MBE

Wendy Randle

Wendy Stanger

Stuart Lindeman

Stephen King

Michael Wood

Victor Olowe

Alison Robinson

Catherine Sykes

Hilary Barnard

Testimonials

''Hull College Board was delighted with the External Board Review (EBR). Briony Denvir, AoC, oversaw the initial scoping meeting attended by our chosen Consultant Reviewer, myself and Hull College Director of Governance Catherine Sykes. After this initial meeting, arrangements were smooth and efficient. The AoC EBR framework covers all of the right areas of governance, and it was also useful to have the AoC's logistical back-up for the questionnaire that was distributed and then collated by the AoC team.

The Consultant Reviewer, attended a Board meeting, committee meetings and a strategic away day both virtually and in-person. He also analysed the results of the questionnaire and our documents and policies. The Consultant Reviewer also interviewed several governors and members of our senior exec team. Throughout the process the Consultant Reviewer was diligent, thoughtful and constructive, and his approach collegiate and good-humoured. His experience as Chair of a large college group and as a National Leader in Governance gave him the knowledge and background to write a constructive, positive and practical report.

Governors found the final report hugely helpful, and its recommendations will shape an action plan which will become a valuable part of our self-assessment process''.

Rob Lawson OBE, Chair to the Corporation

"We were impressed by the AoC External Board Review offer which laid out clearly what to expect and helped us to identify an appropriate reviewer. The offer was competitively priced, and its administration was well-managed. In carrying out the review the consultant reviewer worked well with the board, making sure that governors understood and had confidence in the process.

His governance experience was invaluable and was reflected in the quality of the report, which demonstrated understanding of this college, and its recommendations which the board found relevant and helpful."

Boston College

"Our reviewer was trustworthy, hardworking and intelligent. They had good communication skills and produced a focused review for us to maximise the impact and efficacy of our board."

Newbury College

Find out about our Senior Post Holder Appraisal and Chair Review