Governors

The main responsibilities of the UTC Board of Governors are:

1. To act within the formal powers and rules as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

2. To determine the educational character and mission of the UTC and to exercise oversight of its activities.

3. To approve the quality improvement strategy for the institution.

4. To ensure the effective and efficient use of resources, the solvency of the UTC and to safeguard its assets.

5. To act in the best interests of the UTC.

6. To be fully informed about the operation of the UTC.

7. To ensure decisions are always taken for the benefit of the UTC, its students, staff and other users and with a view of safeguarding public funds.

8. To act as individuals and not bound by mandates from other bodies.

9. To attend UTC events, such as student awards presentations and open days, in order to gain an appreciation of and support the work of the UTC.

The Board of Governors meets regularly to review the work of the UTC and discuss any future developments in line with the above powers and responsibilities.

2024 25 UTC Plymouth Governor Records

2024 25 UTC Plymouth Governor Meeting Attendance Record

UTC Plymouth Local Governing Body Meeting dates 2025/26:

Monday 10 November 2025

Monday 2 March 2026

Monday 29 June 2026

Contact:

If you wish to contact the Chair of Governors or the Clerk to Governors for UTC Plymouth you can do so by sending an email to: governance@reachsouth.org

Term: 07.07.22 – 06.07.26

Linked Governor role: Behaviour, attendance, outcomes, Pupil Premium Governor and Finance

Attendance 2025/26: 2/2

Registered Interests:

Parochial Church Council Member - Parish of St Mary’s and St John’s Plymstock and Hooe and Fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology

Peter is a marine engineer who served in the Royal Navy for 36 years. Having initially served a Navy engineering apprenticeship he enjoyed a richly varied career, in the front line at sea and ashore in engineering and support, in many UK and worldwide locations. He also worked in several training roles and in strategic HR managing the engineering branch of the Royal Navy. He attended the Advanced Command and Staff Course and also Cranfield University Business School, and in his penultimate role was the Navy’s Chief Engineer in Portsmouth Dockyard. His final appointment was the Commanding Officer of HMS SULTAN, the Royal Navy’s School of Air and Marine Engineering which was part of the Royal Navy’s outstanding OFSTED apprenticeship accreditation.

After leaving the Royal Navy he joined the Civil Service to continue his work in defence, taking a role within HM Naval Base Devonport as the Head of Estates where he is responsible for the Naval Base infrastructure. Peter is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, and lives in Plymouth.

Term: 01.12.25 - 01.12.29

Linked Governor role: : Curriculum and digital

Attendance 2025/26: 1/1

Registered Interests: None

Debbie began her teaching career in 1998 and has worked in two Plymouth schools before joining UTC Plymouth in September 2020, alongside the first Year 7 intake. At UTC, Debbie has taught IT and Engineering and is Raising Standards Lead for the Digital Technologies Faculty. In this role, she also manages subjects including German, History, PSHE, and Ethics.

Born and raised in Plymouth, Debbie continues to live close to the school. She enjoys family life, especially spending time with and spoiling her two young granddaughters. Her hobbies include reading, travelling, cooking, and crafting.

Debbie is passionate about education and committed to helping every student achieve their full potential. Becoming a governor allows her to contribute to the strategic direction of the school and ensure we provide an inclusive, high-quality learning environment.

Debbie is dedicated to supporting the school’s vision of preparing students for future careers in digital technologies, engineering and beyond, while fostering a culture of excellence and opportunity for all.

Term: 16.02.22 – 16.02.30 (Second Term)

Linked Governor role: Safeguarding Governor and Looked After Children

Attendance 2025/26: 0/2

Registered Interests : None

I’m a graduate of Durham University (German) and the Open University (MBA). I’ve worked in education for most of my career, initially as a teacher overseas and in the UK, then in management in further education, and for the last 20 years in higher education leadership including senior roles at Robert Gordon University, the University of Sheffield and the University of Edinburgh.

At the start of January 2022 I moved to take up the role of University Registrar and Secretary at the University of Plymouth. I am responsible as Registrar for a wide range of professional services within the University, and as Secretary for the effective operation of the University’s governance structures, including the Board of Governors.

My professional interests and experiences include leadership, change management, student services and support, and marketing and communications.

I am married with one (grown-up) daughter. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, gardening, playing the piano and trying (with varying degrees of success) to stay fit.

Term: 03.04.25 - 03.04.29

Linked Governor role: Inclusion and SEND

Attendance 2025/26: 1/2

Registered Interests: None.

I was a Parent Governor at Ford Primary School for over 8 years, where I took part in 2 Ofsted inspections and assisted with the recruitment of a new headteacher.

Both my children now attend UTC and I am looking forward to adding my voice, and that of other parents, to the Local Governing Body.

I graduated from Plymouth University with a degree in Modern Languages in 2002. I spent my third year on a work placement at a school in the Austrian Alps, which reinforced my love of languages, meeting new people, and going on adventures. Recently I have been learning silversmithing so I can make jewellery with the sea glass I find at local beaches. I am particularly keen to use my Governor role to advocate for making a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities accessible to the UTC community.

I work as a Trade Union Officer for UNISON, with regional responsibilities for Local Government and Schools. My work takes me all over the place on behalf of our members, supporting them to secure better working conditions, protect their employment rights and feel confident to challenge unfairness. I am particularly proud of the work I have been involved in to empower more women and under-represented groups to take their seat at the table and will work tirelessly to advocate for the same at UTC.

At the age of 40 I was diagnosed with ADHD and am proud to represent the neurodivergent community. I have first hand experience of the SEN crisis in schools and the urgent need for this to be addressed.

I’m happy to hear from any parents who would like to share their family’s or children’s experiences with me so I can represent a broad range of views in my role as Parent Governor.

Term: 12.03.25 - 12.03.29

Linked Governor role: Curriculum (Sixth Form)

Attendance 2025/26: 2/2

Registered Interests: None

With a robust background in engineering, running my own business and accountancy & business recovery, I am eager to bring my diverse expertise and dedication to the role of a Governor at a University Technical College (UTC) Plymouth.

My career started with an apprenticeship in engineering which included both block and day release from work to attend a local technical FE college. The college provided theoretical knowledge to complement the practical competence learned in the workplace along with the necessary qualifications to allow me to expand into the engineering industry.

As a family we moved to Devon in 2008 where in partnership with my wife we successfully ran our own business in the hospitality sector. I stepped back from the business in 2012 and transitioned into accountancy & business recovery, using my analytical and financial acumen to maintain compliance for solvent enterprises and assist others in an insolvent position. My experience in business recovery helped develop my strategic analytical abilities, enabling me to help businesses to work through challenging times towards sustainable growth.

In 2018 I joined Exeter College’s Faculty of Engineering, Aerospace and Automotive in the dual role of Lecturer/ Skills Officer. By far the most formative of my career choices (and the most absorbing) where I taught engineering and mentored apprentices in their workplace. In this important, all-consuming role I witnessed the real value of education and mentorship. I was immersed in an environment where educators daily shaped the young minds of our future engineers and prepared those students for their future careers. This experience has given me a firsthand understanding of the educational landscape and the challenges and opportunities that educators and students face.

In January 2024 I was engaged by Babcock International into an exciting new role as a Training Analyst. This role fuses my engineering skills, analytical experience, pragmatic approach to problem solving, and educational experience within a professional organisation. If a business is to continue improving then it must have a training program in place and analysis of the training requirement is the first stage in this process. The goal is a more efficient and effective operational delivery with a focus on the safety of maintenance team members and the end user, leading to increased submarine availability.

I am passionate about education which combined with my comprehensive professional background, positions me well to contribute effectively as a Governor at UTC Plymouth. I will work towards supporting the institution's mission of providing high-quality technical education and delivering the core values of dedication, discipline, professionalism, resilience and respect to help students achieve their full potential.

Term: 06.12.22 – 05.12.26

Linked Governor role: Health and Safety and Wellbeing

Attendance 2025/26: 1/2

Registered Interests: Director of Park Pavilion Cafe Devonport Ltd (2017), Park Pavilion Cafe Victoria Park Ltd (2017), Park Pavilion Cafe Freedom Fields Ltd (2017) and Director of Rosie Leigh's of Devonport (2017)

Martin served in the Royal Navy from 1993 to 2005 as a Petty Officer in the Supply Branch. On leaving the Royal Navy he undertook an Engineering Apprenticeship with Babcock Marine from 2006 to 2010. In 2006 Martin was elected by the community of Devonport to the Devonport Regeneration Board, which was responsible for investing £49 million pounds of New Deals for Community money into the regeneration of Devonport. In 2010 Martin and his wife Shelley opened up The Park Pavilion Cafe in Devonport Park. This was followed by The Park Pavilion Cafe Victoria Park in 2016, The Park Pavilion Cafe Freedom Fields in 2020 and Rosie Leighs in Marlborough Street in 2024.

During the Covid pandemic Martin & Shelley utilised their food businesses and formed Plymouth PIE Club CIC (Parklifers in Exile). In the first 6 months there food businesses provided over 18000 free meals to the vulnerable members of the community. Plymouth PIE Club still operates today providing befriending, meals and assistance to the community.

Martin hobbies are running, having completed The London Marathon in 2022 & 2023. In 2024 Martin will run The London Marathon in April, The Great South Run in Portsmouth in September and The Great North Run in Newcastle in October for Brain Research UK.

Term: 01.12.25 - 01.12.29

Linked Governor role: Health & Safety and Standards

Attendance 2025/26: 1/1

Health & Safety and Standards: None

Nathan began his career with a Teaching Assistant apprenticeship supporting students with SEN, transitioning to a specialist role in 2012 working within the Autism specialist provision and was awarded ‘Teaching Assistant of the Year' (UK, 2016). He progressed to overseeing the running of the specialist provision for children with Autism and later transitioned to Secondary/KS3 Development in 2020 moving to UTC Plymouth. Nathan has been instrumental in developing the school infrastructure and programs for the arrival of the first-ever Year 7 students and the subsequent establishment of the Key Stage 3 (KS3) cohort. Nathan's current key responsibilities at UTC Plymouth include pastoral & wellbeing, student development, teaching and he is involved in school systems such as parents evening, data and Arbor system support

Nathan was born and raised in Plymouth, he grew up in the same area as most of the students at UTC Plymouth which helps him with relating to some of the challenges the students may face. This has given Nathan a passion and the drive to make sure the students have every opportunity to succeed in life. Living so close to the sea, he loves going on coastal walks and taking a dip in Plymouth sound. Nathan has -a passion for travel and exploring different cultures.

Term - 01.05.21

Attendance 2025/26: 2/2

Registered interests: Domestic Partner is an employee of the Trust

Ian Crews - 09.11.20 - 10.02.25

Rachel Summers - 01.08.22 – 23.07.25

Nick Buckland OBE 01.10.18 - 01.09.25

Esther Knight 09.11.21 - 09.11.25

Warren O'Rilley 09.11.21 - 09.11.25

How to contact the Board of Governors

To find out more about Reach South Academy Trust governance, click on the following link:

https://www.reachsouth.org/gov...

If you wish to contact any member of the Board of Governors you will need to do so via the Clerk to the Board (via the school reception) :

Lindsey Johnson
Clerk to the UTC Board of Governors

https://utcplymouth.org/contac...