Vocational services volunteer volunteer roles
Derby College Group seek a new Governor with audit expertise to help push forward its mission to enrich lives and create bright futures for all.
Applications close: 9 a.m. Monday 16th February 2026
Location: Derby
Time commitment: 5 board meetings per year
About Derby College Group
Derby College Group (DCG) is the 18th largest college in the country, supporting 54% of learners in Derby City and its surrounding area. The vision of Derby College Group (DCG) is to create world-class, accessible education opportunities that enrich lives and make bright futures a reality for all. DCG is committed to providing educational excellence, championing social mobility and driving economic prosperity.
DCG delivers high-quality academic, vocational and technical education that empowers people to achieve their ambitions while providing employers across the Midlands and beyond with the talented workforce of tomorrow.
Through a dynamic and responsive curriculum, it predicts and serves the needs of its business and civic communities. Students of all ages and backgrounds are prepared for positive destinations in the next stage of their lives, whether that be further study, the world of work, entrepreneurship or independent living. They leave DCG ready to contribute to society as responsible citizens.
The Group’s portfolio of educational programmes and skills solutions is underpinned by thriving partnerships with employers, shaped by comprehensive market intelligence and informed by liaison with key stakeholders such as the East Midlands Combined Authority.
A truly diverse organisation, the Group comprises four Colleges – the Roundhouse, the Joseph Wright Centre, Broomfield Hall, and the Community College, Ilkeston. Every year it caters for thousands of learners spanning post-16 students pursuing academic and technical pathways, apprentices at all levels, higher education students, and adults seeking career progression, upskilling and reskilling.
About the roles
Being a Governor in the FE sector is like no other voluntary role. At Derby College Group, you will be a member of the Board of Corporation led by our Chair, Andrew Cochrane, contributing to the overall responsibilities of the Board, which include:
The preservation and development of the educational character and mission of the Group and oversight of its activities:
- Setting and communicating the Group’s strategy and goals.
- Exercising effective control to ensure that funds and assets are protected, the organisation remains solvent and legal obligations are met.
- Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance and quality of the college and for the performance of staff.
The DCG Corporation structure consists of five Board meetings per year with all Governors attending and a number of specific committees, including Curriculum Performance, Audit, Finance & Resources and Strategy & Curriculum Planning, feeding into the main Board.
Who we are looking for
As a member of the Corporation and Audit Committee, you will attend all Board meetings as well as the Audit Committee meetings.
We seek someone ideally with a regulatory background, an active interest in further education, and someone with strategic awareness experience and understanding, as well as critical reasoning skills and the ability to engage in board-level discussions and decision-making.
Most importantly, you will be passionate about the power of education at all stages in life and will have an understanding of the area, both the City of Derby and the wider East Midlands.
You will also be a team player and a critical thinker, using these skills to work closely with other Governors to continue to drive forward the success of the College for students and the City of Derby.
Peridot Partners and Derby College Group are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.
Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.
Applications for these roles close at 9 a.m. Monday 16th February 2026.
We’re an executive search firm working across third sector, education and membership sectors to transform leadership and inspire change.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The role of the Governing Body includes collective oversight of the College’s activities and setting and reviewing
our strategy and mission. The governor role is comparable with the non-executive directors of a public company
but instead of being accountable to shareholders, governors are accountable for public funds. As the College is an exempt charity, all governors are charity trustees.
Being a governor is a hugely rewarding leadership role. Governors can make a real difference and give something
back to the local community.
The College is currently looking for two new governors to join the Board. We are seeking experienced individuals, who
are looking for an opportunity to use and develop their professional skills in a board-level environment.
You don’t need to have prior board experience to apply.
The Board is currently looking for two new governors will have experience of one, or more, of the following areas: FE, education, apprenticeships.
The Board also values the diversity of our students and staff, who come from a variety of ethnic, cultural and
religious backgrounds. The Board is determined to reflect this diversity amongst our Governing Body and
encourages people from a range of backgrounds and experiences to apply.
Please get in touch if you don’t feel you have the time to join the Board but would be interested in being co-opted to one of our committees. Co-option can provide an excellent introduction to voluntary governance roles. We are currently looking for co-opted members to join our Search and Governance Commitee, Resources Committee and Audit and Risk Committee.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.