Leadership and Governance
Senior Leadership Team
Principal & Chief Executive
Jacquie Carman
Principal and Chief Executive
Jacquie’s roots are firmly embedded in the local area, having studied here before pursuing higher education.
Her career started as a graduate training role with the NHS in accountancy, which marked the beginning of a career that saw her working across numerous NHS Trusts and community services in the West Midlands. These varied roles provided Jacquie with invaluable opportunities to develop her skills whilst studying for her professional accountancy qualifications and achieved chartered accountant status in 1995.
Jacquie joined Halesowen College in 1998 and has been driven to make a tangible, positive impact on local communities. Throughout her career, she has made continuous progress becoming Director of Finance and Resources, later joining the leadership team in 2004. Her dedication and vision saw her take on the role of Vice Principal in 2012, followed by Chief Operating Officer in 2021. In August 2023, Jacquie was appointed as Principal and CEO of Halesowen College.
Jacquie is passionate about people and culture, which she sees as the heart of the College. She champions a culture of positivity and strives to bring the College’s core values to life: inclusion, care, ambition, respect, and empowerment. Her leadership is centred on ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, mode of study, or prior attainment, has access to exceptional education and training. This aligns closely with the College’s strategic objectives and its overarching purpose – to deliver the highest quality education and development opportunities for all.
The College is an anchor institution within the community and is committed to supporting the local economy by equipping students with the skills needed for the modern workforce. Jacquie’s vision ensures that education remains accessible, inclusive, and impactful for all.
Deputy Principal & Deputy Chief Executive
Jo Williams
Deputy Principal and Deputy Chief Executive
Jo graduated from the University of Birmingham and has worked at Halesowen College for almost thirty years, having several roles across the college. Her first role was as a Student Liaison Officer where she took on a range of responsibilities, including overseeing the Student Union alongside welfare and pastoral responsibilities.
Building on this initial role, Jo transitioned into teaching, where she taught Sociology and Health and Social Care. Jo’s career at Halesowen College continued to evolve where she stepped in to lead the Division of Health and Social Care, where she developed a robust curriculum and fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence among staff.
Now as Deputy Principal, Jo plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of Halesowen College. Her primary responsibilities include overseeing teaching, learning and assessment, as well as leading curriculum development. She works closely with Curriculum Directors to ensure that the college’s educational offerings remain innovative, inclusive and aligned with the needs of students and the wider community.
Vice Principal & Chief Financial Officer
Andrew’s career with Halesowen College began in the Finance Team, following an early career as a chef. His initial responsibilities involved working on European projects and managing funding, which allowed him to gain valuable insight into the financial workings of the education sector. He studied for the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification, which furthered his knowledge and skills in finance, enabling him to progress within the team to the role of Finance Manager.
In 2013, Andrew left Halesowen College to broaden his experience in other sectors. He returned to Further Education working in several colleges and progressing to the role of Director of Finance.
Andrew’s experience and understanding of the Further Education sector brought him back to Halesowen College, as Chief Financial Officer and Vice Principal in 2023. In his role, Andrew is responsible for ensuring the financial resilience of the college, enabling a continued investment in high-quality education for its students and focussing on maximising funding opportunities and providing strategic leadership for corporate services.
Assistant Principal Safeguarding & Students
Sarah Bullus
Assistant Principal Safeguarding & Students
Sarah is responsible for leading all aspects of safeguarding and the student experience across the College, ensuring the welfare, safety, and wellbeing of every learner.
Her role oversees the Safeguarding and Wellbeing, Schools Outreach, Careers, Student Services, SEND, Inclusion and Pastoral teams, fostering a safe, supportive, and inclusive campus community where all students can thrive.
Sarah has held senior leadership roles within the college, including Head of Division for Health and Social Care, and Assistant Principal for the Creative Arts and Services to People curriculum areas.
Prior to joining Halesowen College, she managed Schools Outreach and Alternative Provision and served as Department Manager for Health and Social Care and Early Years, while also working as a full-time Lecturer and Assessor in Dental Nursing having been a qualified Dental Nurse, with postgraduate qualifications in Conscious Sedation, Dental Radiography.
Having once been a student at the College themselves, they are dedicated to creating an environment where every learner feels valued, supported and empowered to achieve their full potential.
Assistant Principal Curriculum & Innovation
Richard Franks
Assistant Principal Curriculum & Innovation
Prior to entering the education arena, Rich started his career as a computer programmer and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the college.
Rich has an impressive academic and professional background, having graduated from Aston University, where he earned a BSc in Computer Science.
He stepped into his teaching career as a lecturer at a local college, where he developed his skills which saw him become an Educational Programme Director cross-divisionally in Digital, Business, Accounting and Law.
Rich joined Halesowen College in 2018, working as a Head of Division for the Digital Technologies team. He has taught across a diverse range of pathways, including A-levels, higher education and vocational courses.
Now as Assistant Principal for Curriculum Innovation, Rich is at the forefront of several key initiatives, including the development of state-of-the-art educational facilities designed to inspire and equip students for the demands of the modern workplace.
Assistant Principal Director of HR
Heather Kelman
Assistant Principal Director of HR
Heather graduated from the University of Glasgow with a BSc in Geography. She achieved her PGCE in secondary education and initially pursued a career in teaching. She later embarked on a career in Human Resources, a field she has worked in for nearly three decades.
Prior to joining Halesowen College, Heather spent twenty-eight years at another FE College, where she advanced to the role of HR Manager. She developed extensive expertise in all aspects of HR practice and became an Associate Member of the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development).
As the college’s newly appointed Director of HR, Heather plays a key role in advising and guiding the College’s strategic approach to HR-related matters. She is responsible for overseeing key areas such as recruitment, retention, workload, wellbeing and employee relations. She draws on her experience to further enhance the College’s HR practices, ensuring they have a meaningful and positive impact on both staff and students.
Assistant Principal Commercial Development
John Murray
Assistant Principal Commercial Development
John graduated from Keele University, where he studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics, before taking up posts in a local authority and later several roles in the corporate IT world.
With a passion for guitar and music, John took the opportunity to become a professional freelance musician for several years. It was this love for teaching and music that brought John to Halesowen College in 2004 as a music lecturer. Over that time, he has taught across several curriculum areas and held key roles within the college leadership team.
As Assistant Principal for Commercial Development, John is responsible for stakeholder engagement activity and initiatives that support in bridging the gap between education and employment.
In his capacity, he oversees several Heads of Professional Support staff, as well as the Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement Teams. By maintaining close collaboration with the West Midlands Combined Authority, John ensures the College aligns its efforts with regional priorities and opportunities.
John secured the College’s leadership on the digital strands of the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) project, which placed the College at the forefront of addressing digital skills gaps, ensuring learners are prepared for the demands of the modern workforce.
Assistant Principal Chief Information Officer
Jonathan Priest
Assistant Principal Chief Information Officer
Jon’s career began in 1999 when he joined Halesowen College as an IT Technician, having secured a degree in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. He transitioned into teaching in 2004, where he developed his skills and contributed to the growth of the College’s IT curriculum.
Jon has steadily progressed through a variety of roles, now in the position of Chief Information Officer, overseeing the College’s Management Information Systems (MIS) and Funding, Software Development, and IT and Network Support, ensuring that these critical areas operate seamlessly.
Additionally, Jon is responsible for ensuring the College’s digital infrastructure remains compliant, secure, efficient and aligned to the College’s long-term strategic goals.
Jon’s background in Artificial Intelligence positions him central to integrating emerging technologies into college systems, driving digital innovation, adopting tools and techniques that enhance both teaching and learning.
Assistant Principal Quality & Standards
Craig Tucker
Assistant Principal Quality & Standards
Craig first joined Halesowen College in 2004 as a Trainee Teacher in Computing and IT. Over the years, he has held a variety of teaching, curriculum and quality roles, striving to raise the bar for teaching excellence.
In 2021, Craig took up the role of Head of Digital Academic Practice at a local Higher Education provider. He returned to Halesowen College in 2022 as Assistant Principal Standards and Quality, working to drive the quality of teaching and learning, ensuring better outcomes for all students.
Craig holds a degree, a Masters in Education and recognition as a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). He also holds Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status, reflecting his ongoing commitment to professional development and excellence in education.
Beyond his work at the College, Craig is a prominent figure in the local community. He serves as a governor at a local secondary school, is the treasurer for a Royal Air Force Cadets squadron and acts as a trustee for a local Scouts group.
The Corporation
The Corporation comprises members from diverse backgrounds who have the skills, knowledge and experience necessary to be effective critical friends to the College, which includes oversight, challenge and support.
The Corporation has a clear strategic direction for the college, which is set out in the strategic plan. Responsibilities are carried out over an annual cycle of business, which is spread across committees feeding into a main Corporation board. Governance is conducted in a constructive atmosphere in which members debate issues to reach collective decisions.
Being a governor is a voluntary yet rewarding role. We are always looking for individuals who are passionate about education and training, who can contribute to governance. All governors receive induction, training and support for this role, which is tailored to meet individual need.
Click here to find out more about becoming a governor.
Halesowen College is an accredited Leader in Diversity. As an equal-opportunities employer we welcome applications from all groups of society including those who are underrepresented.
Halesowen College is an accredited Leader in Safeguarding (Gold Standard). We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Corporation Members
Contact with the Chair of Corporation should be made through the Director of Governance (contact details provided above).
Corporation Documents
Please contact the Director of Governance if you cannot find the information or documents you are looking for.
Corporation Minutes
Audit Committee Minutes
Search Committee Minutes
Finance and Resources Committee Minutes
Students, Curriculum and Quality Committee
Additional Documents
Inclusion
Care
Ambition
Respect
Empower
Inclusion
Care
Ambition
Respect
Empower