Trustees play an essential role in leading and governing charities, offering their time and commitment to helping these organisations succeed. There are around one million people in the UK who volunteer as Trustees. This Trustees Week we are proud to be celebrating and acknowledging the work of the Trustees of the 180,000 plus charities nationwide, including our very own board of Trustees at NEC.

Our Board of Trustees 

Behind our dedicated staff at the National Extension College (NEC) is an equally dedicated Board of Trustees, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to ensure that the National Extension College continues to thrive and to support its mission. 

Established in 1963 as a not-for-profit distance learning provider, the National Extension College has a strong and proud heritage of widening access to education, transforming lives and opening up opportunities to people of all ages. 

How NEC’s Trustees Help to Keep NEC at the Forefront of Online Learning

As part of The Open School Trust, NEC is an educational charity guided by our Board of Trustees. Each of our Trustees brings to NEC a unique set of skills and experience. Together, they help to keep NEC at the forefront of online learning.

Who are NEC’s Trustees

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  Richard Dorrance – As Chair of both the Board of Trustees and the Finance & Governance Sub-committee, Richard brings to the Board his experience of running a charity and of supporting students, many of whom have either not achieved in a school environment or who are adult returners to education. Find out more about Richard.

“Education has a transformative effect on individuals and communities. As a trustee of NEC, I have had the opportunity to directly impact educational resources that help students succeed and thrive. Trustees play an important role in shaping the NEC’s strategy and vision, developing innovative approaches to address educational gaps and to champion inclusivity. Trustees are passionate people!” – Richard

 

• Ros Morpeth – Ros has been involved with NEC since 1987. Stepping down after 16 years as Executive Director in 2003 to follow her interests in international education, Ros returned to NEC in December 2011. She started the process of rebuilding the college following an unfortunate merger, before retiring as CEO in April 2021 and joining the Board of Trustees. Find out more about Ros.

 

• Colin Woolliscroft – Colin serves as Vice Chair of the Finance & Governance Sub-committee. Currently the Divisional Managing Director for Santander Business, earlier in his career Colin gained first-hand experience in the classroom as a teacher in North London for Teach First. As an NEC Trustee Colin relishes the opportunity to once again contribute to an organisation committed to making a positive impact on society through education. Find out more about Colin.

 

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  Vanessa Pittard – Deputy Chair of the NEC Board of Trustees, Vanessa is the Deputy Chief Executive of MEI the mathematics education improvement body. From 2011 to 2017 she was Assistant Director at the Department for Education where she held responsibility for mathematics education policy and programmes and worked on STEM education and education technology policy. Find out more about Vanessa.

“ I felt my experience in education would benefit NEC and its purpose, but it’s worked both ways. NEC is a small but go-getting organisation, which punches above its weight – as a trustee I’ve learnt so much from the team that’s helped me.” – Vanessa

 

• Ceri Rose – As the Director of Strategy, Marketing, and Communications at The Open University (OU), Ceri’s mission is to widen access to education and she plays a pivotal role in driving campaign activity in the marketing and communications unit at the OU. As a member of the NEC Board of Trustees, Ceri brings an extensive and diverse skill set accumulated over two decades of experience working in both the commercial and public sectors. Find out more about Ceri.

 

• Rachel Marshall – Rachel is a governance expert with extensive experience in providing high-level advice and support to Boards and Committees. Since 2009 she has served as Clerk to the Corporate and Company Secretary at North Warwickshire and Hinckley College and the Midland Academies Trust. Her dedication to governance is evident in her continuous efforts to improve practices and a commitment to fostering a culture of excellence, relationships, and mindsets within the organisations she serves. Find out more about Rachel.

 

• Martin Weller – the latest Trustee to join the NEC Board of Trustees, Martin is Emeritus Professor of Education Technology at the Open University (OU) and the author of numerous books. He was the Chair of the Open Programme, the OU’s flexible, multi-disciplinary degree, and developed the OU’s first fully online course in 1999. Find out more about Martin.

Conclusion

The trustees of NEC are a diverse group of professionals, each contributing their unique expertise to guide NEC’s mission of providing accessible, high-quality education to learners from all walks of life. Whether in finance, education policy, technology, or governance, their collective experience ensures that NEC remains at the forefront of online distance learning, continuing to adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving educational landscape.

With the addition of Martin Weller to the Board, NEC’s commitment to embracing technology and innovation in education is stronger than ever, ensuring that students continue to receive top-notch learning opportunities no matter who or where they are.

Chair of the Board of Trustees Richard says:

“NEC focuses on reducing barriers to learning for marginalised or underserved communities. Serving as a trustee allows me to actively support and promote inclusive practices in education. Of course education is not just for young people. NEC’s Trustees plan strategies which promote lifelong learning and help individuals build skills at all stages of life. The role of Chair of the Board has helped me to broaden my perspective and has given me the chance to deepen my understanding of different social, cultural, and economic challenges.” – Richard

 

If you are interested in becoming a Trustee of a charity, search online for your local volunteering centre where you can find Trustee vacancies in your area. 

To find out more about opportunities for becoming an NEC Trustee visit our website.

For more information about Trustees Week 2024 visit: https://trusteesweek.org