South Lanarkshire College Board
South Lanarkshire College is one of two colleges in Lanarkshire.
Each College has its own Board of Management. The Board of Management employs our staff, owns our assets and sets our strategic direction.
There are two student members.
The Chair of the Board and the Principal work closely with the two student representatives to make sure that the College does its best to meet the needs of students.
The Lanarkshire Board
As well as working with our own Board of Management, South Lanarkshire College is assigned to The Lanarkshire Board. The Lanarkshire Board ensures that there’s consistency of provision across Lanarkshire. The Lanarkshire Board also monitors quality of provision and student success and has a key role in supporting our Regional Outcome Agreement.
The Lanarkshire Board also helps ensure that strategic direction is set for the Lanarkshire region and beyond.
More about our board
The South Lanarkshire College Board has 15 members including two staff representatives, two student representatives and the Principal.
The Board is committed to achieving the gender representation objective set out in the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018. At September 2022, gender representation was 50% men and 50% women.
The Board meets six times a year. Each of its four committees (audit, development, finance and resources, and human resources) meets four times a year.
As well as attending meetings, Board Members attend graduation and award ceremonies. Members are also invited to student and staff conferences and events.
Our Board Members are as follows:
Douglas Morrison - Chairing Member
Appointed September 2021
Douglas Morrison serves as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST), Scotland's national innovation centre for the built environment. His career has predominantly been in the tertiary education sector, where he has specialised in areas including, innovation, digital learning, environmental issues, and equity and inclusion.
His professional affiliations include Membership in the Young Academy for Scotland and Fellowship of the Institute for Innovation and Knowledge Exchange. He is also a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Education Committee and a Freeman of the City of Glasgow.
In addition to his role as the Chair of the Board at South Lanarkshire College, Douglas acts as an Assessor with His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education. He is also associated with environmental initiatives, serving as the Co-Chair of the Decarbonisation of Heat Group at Skills Development Scotland and as a member of Scotland’s Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan Implementation Group. Further, he is Co-Chair of the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum’s Data Group.
Douglas has a background in technology-enhanced learning and has received a Masters degree in this field from the University of Strathclyde in addition to several awards relating to digital learning. He has also completed Executive programmes at the University of Oxford, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and HEC Paris. He is currently undertaking an Executive MBA with Quantic School of Business and Technology.
Throughout his career, Douglas has successfully led a range of programmes for the United Nations, the European Union, the Scottish Government, the Construction Industry Training Board, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and the Construction Leadership Forum.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dmorrisonedu
Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/dmorrisonedu
Stella McManus - Principal & CEO
Stella McManus has worked in the further education sectors across Scotland and England for over 18 years. She is passionate about lifelong learning and the transformational change that education can have on the lives of people at any age and from any
background. Stella joined South Lanarkshire College as Depute Principal, before being appointed to Principal and Chief Executive in April 2023.
Stella began her further education career in 2005, having previously lived and worked in Italy teaching English language. She is a fully qualified teacher and language specialist with a broad set of classroom practitioner and management skills gained from over 18 years’ experience in a range of educational settings. Her academic background is in the field of linguistics, having completed her master’s
degree in Applied Linguistics at King’s College, London.
Paul Hutchinson
Appointed September 2020
Paul Hutchinson is the Chief Engineer for communications and networks within Atkins, accountable for the engineering teams who provide technical advice on a wide range of technologies.
Paul is a communications engineer with over 25 years’ experience in
telecommunications and ICT. He has led teams in designing and delivering ICT to support military operations and three sporting events in the UK – most recently as the Head of Telecommunications for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Paul is also a commissioned officer with the Royal Signals.
Paul is married to Fran and they have 3 children. Together, they enjoy most sports, socialising with family and friends, and travelling.
Heather Anderson - Chair of Human Resources Committee
Appointed September 2021
Heather is an Assistant Director and has been working in the Higher Education Sector for over five years.
Prior to that she working in the Defence industry and has extensive experience of international working, leadership of integrated project teams & management of full life-cycle, multi-million pound, complex projects delivering high-end technology & services, Business Development and Stakeholder Relationship Management.
She has a passion for knowledge, learning and development of self and others and is particularly interested in how science and technology contribute to society and can improve our lives and the way we live in the world.
Heather has a BSc in Chemistry and Geology and a PhD in Chemistry (both University of Glasgow) and is currently undertaking a part-time MBA at Strathclyde University.
Outside work, she has a wide range of interests, from sports to arts, and particularly enjoys tennis and music-related activities.
Ronnie Smith - Regional Board
Appointed November 2019
Ronnie has lived and worked in Lanarkshire for over 40 years. Before retiring in 2019 he had been the CEO of LES Ltd., since helping set the company up in 2002.
A graduate of both Glasgow School of Art and the University of Stirling, his work history extends to the public, private and third sectors. He has extensive experience of board membership at local, regional and national level and has been involved in developing and managing many public/private partnership arrangements. With a specialist interest in supporting management and governance in SME’s, Ronnie currently serves on the Boards of 2 Lanarkshire companies and has his own consultancy business as well as serving as the Chair of the Lanarkshire Regional Strategic Body and the Chair of New College Lanarkshire.
Ronnie is married with a grown-up daughter and 2 grandchildren. All of whom happily live nearby in Lanarkshire. He maintains a keen interest in sports, particularly rugby union and enjoys a range of equestrian activities.
Fiona Whittaker - Senior Independent Member
Appointed September 2021
Fiona Whittaker has over 20 years’ experience of functional and strategic leadership and the delivery of complex change in large organisations in the private and public sector. A graduate of both Strathclyde and Lancaster Universities, she has worked both nationally, and internationally in senior roles for GlaxoSmithKline, BP, FirstGroup, and is currently Chief Officer, People Resources for North Lanarkshire Council.
Fiona is a strong proponent of the strategic importance of vocational education and the wider employability, skills and labour market support systems which are so vital to driving economic growth and recovery. In addition to her role as a Non-Executive Director of South Lanarkshire College, she is currently a serving Director of Routes to Work, North Lanarkshire, and a member of the Finance Sub-Committee.
When time and weather allows, Fiona is a keen hillwalker and traveller and lives with her family on the firth of forth near Edinburgh.
Fiona is South Lanarkshire College's Senior Independent Board Member.
Anne Doherty - Support Staff Representative
Appointed by staff selection
Anne is Head of Alternative Funding at South Lanarkshire College.
She has worked for South Lanarkshire College since 2002, and for over 27 years in the Further Education sector. Anne overseas the management of noncore funded projects including activity funded through South Lanarkshire Council, Skills Development Scotland, Flexible Workforce Development Fund and other upskilling and employability programmes.
Anne feels privileged to be working with colleagues focussed on supporting local people on their journey to achieving their potential, with positive impact on their lives, that of their families and on the local economy.
Tarryn Robertson - Teaching Staff Representative
Appointed by staff election
Tarryn is a business graduate who has over 17 years of project management and business support experience, successfully working with public and private sector clients across varying industries including: Manufacturing, Tourism, Technology, Renewables, Creative Industries, Food and Drink, Life Sciences and Education.
Tarryn is highly proficient in managing multi-faceted projects and working to tight deadlines and has in depth knowledge of organisational process and procedures whilst ensuring high quality assurance and legislative standards are met.
For the past six years, Tarryn has been lecturing within the Business Faculty as ,well as undertaking role as an External Verifier for the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
In her free time, she is passionate about sports and plays in the West of Scotland Squash Leagues.
Ellie Hamilton - Student Vice President
Hi, my name is Ellie Hamilton, and I am 19 years old. I was elected to be the Student Association vice president for the 2023-2024 academic year! As well as this I am undertaking my second year of HND Social Sciences at the college. After this year I am planning on going to Glasgow Caledonian to study Psychology.
From this year, in the role I will be taking as Vice President, I am hoping to gain new knowledge and skills and I am so excited for the experiences to come. One of my main aims is for SA and the college in general to become more LGBTQ+ friendly. This can be done in many ways, and it can be as simple as helping people become more educated in LGBTQ+ topics and having open discussions with students. I hope to represent the students accurately and celebrate their differences. All our students are unique and come from different cultures and backgrounds and this deserves to be seen.
Kayleigh Wither - Student President
Hi, My name is Kayleigh Wither and I am 17 years old. I was recently elected Student President of the Student Association for the 2023/2024 academic year!! I was studying NC5 Professional Cookery before I was given this exciting opportunity.
As Student President, I aim to learn new skills and make the Student Association feel like a welcoming place for all students. On my manifesto, I focused on equality and inclusivity.
By the end this academic year I hope to make all student feel that they are heard. I also aspire for SLC College to be more accommodating for those who need additional support.
I want to educate people on the LQBTQ+ community and make students aware that our office is a safe space. We want our students to feel safe and respected. I also want to help raise awareness for gender-based violence and DV (domestic violence). I want anyone who is struggling to know that they can get help. Our students deserve to be heard and seen.
Fiona Mullen
Appointed September 2021
Fiona is a former High School Head Teacher with considerable knowledge and experience of the East Kilbride area.
She is also an Associate Tutor for the Glasgow University Initial Teacher Education Programme.
Her teaching specialisms were Physics, Science and Mathematics and her academic pedigree includes a BEd, a post graduate certificate in School Management and an MSc in Educational Leadership.
Prior to joining the Board as a full member, Fiona was a valued co-opted member of the CQD Committee at SLC.
Scott Coutts
Marketing and Communications Manager (online) at University of Edinburgh.
Formerly Marketing & Communications Manager at SLC.
Previous relevant FE experience and an in-depth knowledge of SLC with an excellent track record in key areas such as networking and engagement.
Considerable experience at Senior Team Level of strategic and operational planning.
An effective and experienced manager / team leader.
Sound experience of Budgeting within the educational sector
Sound understanding of governance and good understanding of communities within the college catchment area
Thorough understanding of the educational landscape at both HE and FE levels with considerable expertise in Marketing /PR.
Sound experience of Budgeting within the educational sector allied to sound understanding of governance.
Thorough understanding of the educational landscape at both HE and FE levels
Thomas Feely
Substantial experience in accountancy and audit as senior partner in an established accountancy practice. Also has relevant experience as a Charity Trustee and in community development.
Strong management experience and leadership skills allied to sound local knowledge.
Current member of the Board of Motherwell Football Club – a supporter owned company limited by Guarantee.
Experience of advising corporate bodies and individuals on a full range of accountancy and audit subjects with commercial experience of running a successful local business.
Considerable sharp end experience of Audit processes and procedures
Paul Brodie
Member of Chartered Management Institute, Curriculum Manager with Ayr College and Chair of SQA Qualification Team (Sport & Fitness)
Experience of developing joint Curriculum with Secondary Schools
Significant management experience allied to significant knowledge and
understanding of Secondary / FE curricula
Sound understanding of KPIs and Team Evaluation
Highly Experienced FE Lecturer and also trained in HSW Risk Management
Sound broad experience of the wider educational sector with a track record of innovation in teaching
Peter Sweeney MBE
40 year career in the Civil service with outstanding leadership skills which were recognised in the Honours List
High level experience within the technology sector with particular emphasis on cyber security and risk management
Lifelong resident of East Kilbride with sound understanding of community relationships.
Experience and expertise of governance within the public sector and specific experience of Audit & Risk.
Considerable experience of talent management with a track record of interaction with local colleges and recruitment fairs.
Proven commitment to community development and the role of FE.
Currently Chair of the South Lanarkshire College Educational Trust which has been providing funding for student support initiatives.
Professor Jo Gill - Chair of the Curriculum, Quality & Development Committee
Vice Principal and Head of College of Arts – University of Glasgow
Outstanding experience of Curriculum Quality & Development at the highest level and substantial academic management experience.
A leading educator with a distinguished record of relevant publications.
Former Governor of an English Sixth Form College and extensive experience of the education sector generally and the interface between HE and FE specifically.
Considerable experience of Chairing Academic Boards and Committees
Board committees and papers
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View our Memorandum of Understanding
View our Board committee papers and minutes by clicking below.