At North Hertfordshire College, our Board of Governors bring expertise and experience from a range of sectors and industries to help shape the way we work, maximising our offering to provide the very best outcomes for students.
Philip Moore has been a Governor at NHC since 2019 and has recently been selected as Chair of the Board. We caught up with Philip to find out more about his experience on our Board of Governors, and how he’s finding his new role so far:
What inspired you to become a Governor at NHC?
“Firstly, my belief in the importance of education for young people and society, specifically the vital role that vocational skills play in our economy. I wanted to do something to support young people to succeed and thrive, and North Hertfordshire College is a great place to do that.”
What experiences do you bring to the Governor role?
“I have tonnes of governing experience! Previously, I’ve been Chair of an academy board, I’ve been on the board of directors at numerous organisations, and I’m a Charity Trustee. I also bring extensive financial skills from my time as a CFO for many years.”
What have you enjoyed most so far about being a Governor at NHC?
“I love it – three main highlights come to mind. Firstly, I really enjoy meeting with so many inspiring students and hearing about their plans for the future.
“I’ve also been super impressed by the utterly amazing tutors at NHC, the quality of their delivery is making such a difference to the future of their learners.
“Thirdly, I’ve been on the Board of Governors at North Hertfordshire College since 2019, and playing a part in the continued development of the College has been so rewarding. Be it improvement in student outcomes, expanding curriculums, or development of facilities like the NHC Sports Hub, mock hospital ward, Purwell Studios etc., watching the College’s commitment to maximising their offering has been amazing.”
Have you got any advice for someone considering a Governor role at NHC?
“Do it! If you’re passionate about education and want to do something that brings real self-fulfilment, then go for it. You might not be an education expert, but the College benefits hugely from financial, marketing, HR and any transferable business skills.
“Further education colleges are complex organisations which require a large range of skills, not just education experience – that’s probably the one area we’re completely covered in!
“If you have a range of skills that would be useful in running a college like NHC, then you have something to offer.”
As a Governor, what impact do you hope to have on NHC?
“One of the key roles of the Board is to provide oversight to strategic direction. As Chair, my role now is to lead the Board in shaping this. I want North Hertfordshire College to become nationally recognised for their delivery of excellent student outcomes, and their work to meet skills needs. I hope to set the direction to meet this goal and position NHC as a local and national leader in further education.”
What makes North Hertfordshire College stand out as a training and education provider?
“Lots of things. Their commitment to delivering a high-quality curriculum, focused on the skills needs of the local community. As well as the way NHC engages with the local community, working with employers and local government.
“Also, the College’s desire for continued improvement is particularly notable. Every year, we want to do better for our students, widening curriculums to provide the best outcomes. We always ask: ‘what can we do better?’, and I am so motivated by that sense of continued improvement.”
Please tell us a fun fact about yourself.
“Well, I fainted for the very first time right in front of Gordon Brown in 10 Downing Street! I was attending a Cystic Fibrosis charity event and remember grabbing my wife’s arm before falling to the floor, then woke up in a side room surrounded by the UK’s finest doctors.
“I’ve also taken off in aircraft about 50 times more than I’ve landed in them… I used to be in the Army Reserves and spent a lot of my twenties parachuting out of aircraft at night.”
We wish Philip the very best of luck in his new role, and look forward to hearing about more exciting developments they have planned!