FE Governor

Hopwood Hall College and University Centre is a vibrant and ambitious further education provider with campuses in Middleton and Rochdale, Greater Manchester. Serving a diverse and growing population of over 223,000, the College plays a vital role in raising aspirations and delivering real impact, particularly in a borough where only 50.8% of adults are qualified to Level 3, compared to a regional average of 57.9%. With a turnover of £31 million, the College supports over 3,000 16–19-year-old learners, around 4,000 adult learners, 650 apprentices, and 75 higher education students. It currently delivers 12 T Levels, with plans to expand to 19 within the next three years, demonstrating a clear commitment to curriculum innovation and future skills.
Hopwood Hall has received the Queen’s Anniversary Prize which is the highest national accolade awarded to a further education college. It is recognised both regionally and nationally for its forward-thinking approach, inclusive culture, and strong community engagement. Among its standout features are a growing green technologies curriculum (including solar, wind, and hydrogen), advanced health and social care training suites, an on-site animal care centre, and Greater Manchester’s first esports and games development programme. The College also has close strategic partnerships with the Rochdale Development Agency and Atom Valley, a nationally significant initiative focused on advanced manufacturing and innovation.
Hopwood Hall is entering an exciting phase of development, with two major capital projects underway: the conversion of a listed chapel into a state-of-the-art, VR-enabled learning centre, and the construction of a new campus in Rochdale town centre to meet rising learner demand. At the same time, the further education sector continues to face significant financial pressures. Despite these challenges, the College maintains an Outstanding financial health rating and continues to balance strong performance with a learner-centred ethos.
To support its continued growth and resilience, the College is seeking new governor to join its high-performing and supportive Corporation Board. Governors play a key strategic role and contribute their expertise across areas such as finance, estates, digital transformation, and employer engagement. The Board is supported by a series of committees including Audit, Standards, Employment and Finance, Appraisal and Remuneration, and Search and Governance. This is an opportunity to be part of a college that is changing lives, pioneering educational innovation, and helping to shape the future workforce of Greater Manchester.
The College’s requirements
The Corporation Board at Hopwood Hall College and University Centre is seeking to appoint a new governor with a professional background in finance or accountancy. This individual will also join the Employment and Finance Committee, supporting the College's strategic financial oversight and contributing to its continued financial health.
The ideal candidate will hold a recognised professional qualification (such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) and have a minimum of two years post-qualification experience. They will bring a strong understanding of the practical application of financial principles - beyond theory - and be confident engaging with the granularity of accounting, budgeting, and financial decision-making. Experience may come from either the private or public sector.

As the College undertakes two major capital projects, candidates with experience or interest in large-scale infrastructure or estates development would be particularly well placed to add value. Beyond technical expertise, the successful appointee will demonstrate a strong alignment with the College’s values and its mission to serve the local Rochdale and Greater Manchester communities.
While experience in education or further education is not essential, an understanding of the education landscape, the principles of good governance, and the local context would be advantageous. Governance experience in any setting (e.g. education, charity, housing, or healthcare) is welcomed, and a full induction and training package will be provided.
There is also an opportunity for the successful candidate to take on a Link Governor role, tailored to their own professional interests or development goals. This provides scope to contribute more broadly to the work of the College beyond finance and will be discussed with the Board upon appointment. The Board is aiming to make an appointment by the end of September 2025.
Applicants may be asked to submit an up-to-date CV or pen portrait as part of the application process.
Time commitment and meeting schedule
On average, the DfE expect governors commit up to two days per month to effectively contribute to their role, including meeting, preparation, committee involvements and any on-site visits.
Every College is different, with changing expectations on time and commitment and we encourage prospective candidates to discuss their availability through the application process. The Board holds five Corporation meetings annually (Oct, Dec, Mar, May, Jul) and four committee meetings (Sept, Nov, Mar, Jun). Meetings typically take place on Tuesday or Thursday evenings, with main Board meetings starting at 17:00 (lasting 2 hours) and committee meetings at 16:30 (lasting 1.5–2 hours). The Board also holds an annual strategy day each March.

Most meetings take place at Hopwood Hall College’s Middleton Campus, with occasional meetings held at the Rochdale town centre campus. While hybrid attendance is possible, in-person attendance is welcomed to build relationships and gain a strong understanding of the College’s learning environment.
If you are a looking to take the next step on your governance journey and contribute to the future of not just a College, but the communities around it, then we look forward to hearing from you regarding this role.

Establishment Information

• Unique Reference Number (URN): 130507
• Address: St Mary's Gate, Rochdale OL12 6RY
• Website: https://www.hopwood.ac.uk/
• Type of establishment: Further Education
• Usual start time of meeting: 17:00 (2hrs) for main board and 16.30 (1.5-2hrs) for committee meetings – usually a Tuesday or Thursday for board. Employment and finance usually a Thursday.5 Corporation meetings a year (Oct, Dec, Mar, May and July) 4 Committee Meetings a year (Sept, Nov, Mar and June) 5 Corporation meetings a year (Oct, Dec, Mar, May and July) 4 Committee Meetings a year (Sept, Nov, Mar and June)