FE Governor - Sunderland

Are you a business leader or corporate professional looking to make a meaningful impact outside the boardroom?

By becoming a volunteer governor at a further education (FE) or sixth form college, you'll help shape the strategic direction of an organisation that transforms lives through education and skills-while strengthening your own governance experience and leadership credentials.

Why it's relevant to professionals like you

Further education colleges train over 1.6 million learners annually, preparing the skilled workforce that keeps our economy moving-from engineers and IT specialists to healthcare professionals and construction experts.

As a college governor, you'll sit on the board of an FE institution (and registered charity), where your insight into strategy, risk, people, or finance will have a direct impact on how public funds are spent, how performance is measured, and how learners are supported to succeed.

This is an opportunity to:

Apply your corporate skills in a leadership role

Gain board-level experience and enhance your CV

Contribute to local economic growth and social mobility

Support a vital sector during a time of transformation

What will you be doing?

As part of a governing board, you'll:

Set strategic direction: help define the college's mission and goals

Hold leadership to account: monitor finances, performance, and outcomes

Ensure governance excellence: make decisions in the best interests of learners and stakeholders

Act as a charity trustee: ensure financial sustainability and legal compliance

You'll also engage with senior leaders and external stakeholders, including local employers, regulators, and community partners.

Who are we looking for?

We welcome professionals from a broad range of sectors, including but not limited to:

Finance, Audit & Risk

HR, People & Culture

Strategy, Transformation & Operations

Technology, AI & Digital

Legal, Governance & Compliance

Marketing, PR & Communications

Education, apprenticeships, or vocational courses

What matters most is your strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and commitment to helping others succeed.

Prior education experience is not required. Full induction and training are provided, with access to DfE-funded development and peer mentoring where needed.

Time commitment

Expect to give approximately 1-2 days per month, including:

Attending board and committee meetings (in person or remote)

Reading papers and preparing questions

Participating in training and occasional college visits

The time commitment is manageable alongside a full-time role-and many employers actively support staff to take on governance roles as part of their professional development.

Where you'll be needed

Some colleges offer remote governance and meetings take place online. This may suit you best, or we may suggest a role where you volunteer on a hybrid basis at a college within a reasonable distance from you. We are recruiting governors for colleges across England, with new opportunities added regularly.

What's in it for you?

This role offers the opportunity to:

Enhance your board-level and governance experience

Develop strategic oversight and leadership outside your day-to-day role

Boards for Education is a charity that sources and supports volunteers for governing boards. We aim to improve educational outcomes for children, young people, and adult learners by strengthening governance across the education sector.

With more than 25 years' experience and a national network of partners, we connect schools, academy trusts, colleges, and education charities across England and Wales with skilled, independent volunteers.

Ready to step into a strategic, purpose-driven leadership role?

If you're ready to bring your corporate insight to the education sector and help shape the future of skills, opportunity, and social mobility-we'd love to hear from you.