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Governors
Denise Brown
Denise Brown is Group Chief Executive Officer of South Essex Colleges Group, Essex’s largest provider of technical and vocational education. With over 35 years in further education, including 25+ in senior leadership, she previously led Stoke on Trent College and held roles in curriculum, quality, and strategy. At South Essex Colleges Group, Denise drives a 2023–27 plan focused on community transformation, skills development and widening participation, working with employers and universities to meet labour-market needs. A Leadership Fellow of St George’s House, she brings expertise in governance, strategy, and partnerships to enhance education policy and the student experience.
Rick Olver
Rick Olver brings extensive experience across Youth, Adult, and Further Education to his role as Governor. As a Community College Vice Principal Rick was responsible for developing 16–18 provision and oversaw the creation of a dedicated centre for High Needs learners. He served as Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring the highest standards of learner welfare and protection. In 2024 he became a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Further Education.
Prior to his current role Rick chaired the board at a mental health charity, leading the organisation through a period of growth, establishing a Recovery College and services to support families.
Denise Darrell
Denise Darrell has over two decades of experience in marketing, communications, and business, including more than ten years running her own business. A former South Essex College student, she has a longstanding interest in education and has volunteered as an adult literacy tutor while also delivering careers talks through Inspiring the Future. Having lived in Essex for over 20 years, she brings a strong understanding of the local community. As a mum of two, she combines personal insight with professional expertise, supporting the College’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for learners.
David Knott
David Knott is a senior technology advisor with over forty years of experience in digital delivery and transformation. In his career his roles have included Chief Technology Officer of the UK Government, Expert Partner at Boston Consulting Group, Digital Transformation Officer at Google, and Global Chief Architect for HSBC. David grew up in South Essex and lives locally in Leigh-on-Sea, where he enjoys kayaking on the Estuary. He holds a PhD in ethics and has worked with several organisations on the safe and responsible adoption of artificial intelligence.
Steven Hemmings
Steven Hemmings is a strategic technology leader with a proven record of driving business growth and operational efficiency through transformative solutions. He excels in aligning enterprise architecture with business objectives, fostering innovation, and managing risk. Recognised as one of Computing’s Top 100 IT Leaders in 2023 and shortlisted for IT Leader of the Year in 2024, his thought leadership inspires strategic action and sustainable success through keynote addresses, publications, and industry recognition. Steven lives with his young family in Leigh, and in his spare time enjoys endurance events.
Seye Awolusi
Seye Awolusi is a Senior Manager in Financial Services Advisory with extensive experience advising on audit, risk, and governance across complex, regulated organisations. He has worked closely with executive leadership teams, audit committees, and boards, providing strategic insight, independent challenge, and assurance. Seye brings a strong understanding of effective governance, accountability, and regulatory expectations to his role as a governor. He is a strong advocate for the transformative power of education and is passionate about promoting vocational and technical pathways that equip learners with future-ready skills. Seye is committed to inclusive leadership, high standards, and positive outcomes for all students.
Dame Sally Dicketts DBE
Dame Sally Dicketts DBE is an experienced CEO, Chair, NED coach and developer of people and cultures. She spent nearly 30 years leading successful and innovative Colleges creating learning organisations where people develop both their emotional and thinking capabilities. She now chairs three boards ranging from helping parents learn with their children, a sexual and mental health charity, and a group of FE colleges. She is a trustee of the Royal Holloway University and Pro Chancellor and senior independent member of Bradford University. She is the senior independent director of the Sports Recreation Alliance. She is an associate of Oasis Human Relations, executive coach and runs leadership development in design thinking, strategic thinking, change management and how to improve your learning.
Sally is a keen advocate for vocational education. She was awarded the CBE in 2013 and a DBE in the King’s New Year honours list in January 2023 for her work in Education.
Sally is a keen traveller, loves reading and learning and being active.
Jake Lines
Jake Lines was appointed as a Governor at South Essex Colleges Group in November 2024, joining the Local College Board at the Southend campus. He became a member of the Main Corporation Board in December 2025 and continues to serve on both boards. With more than a decade of experience in marketing and communications, he actively holds roles as Managing Director, Investor and Advisor, developing expertise in business growth, strategic brand development, and stakeholder engagement. His industry experience spans widely, from retail to private equity, with a current focus on recruitment and education.
A former South Essex College student, Jake graduated with an Extended Diploma in Business Studies. Born in Essex, he has lived across the world, including Canada and Malta, before settling locally in Barling Magna. Through one of his businesses, a digital marketing agency, he provides continuous T-Level placements exclusively with the College Group. Community is important to him, and he works closely with local organisations, including Southend-on-Sea City Council. As a dad of two, he brings both personal insight and professional experience to his role, championing pathways that enable his fellow board members, facility, and learners to thrive.
Paul Martin
Paul Martin brings over 20 years of international marketing and strategic leadership experience to his role as Corporate Governor at South Essex Colleges Group. With a career spanning B2C, B2B, and public sector organisations, he has led multi-channel campaigns, brand transformations, and digital growth initiatives across the UK, Europe, and the US. As a Marketing Director, Paul combines commercial insight with a deep understanding of engagement, communications, and organisational strategy. Living locally with his family, he brings both professional expertise and personal insight into the needs and aspirations of the community, supporting the College’s mission to create meaningful opportunities and enhance student experience.
Kate Merritt
Kate Merritt is a confident and motivated Learning and Development Manager with extensive experience leading workforce and system-wide learning initiatives across the NHS. She is a qualified career development professional with a proven track record in workforce transformation and education, designing and delivering programmes that build skills, confidence, and clear progression pathways for individuals from diverse backgrounds.
As Chair of the Southend Local College Board, Kate champions positive learning cultures, widening participation, and enabling people to thrive. Academically accomplished to Masters level with distinction, and complemented by QSIR practice and assessor qualifications, she combines analytical capability with collaborative leadership to drive continuous improvement and deliver meaningful public service outcomes.
Recognised for her thought leadership in community-based talent pipelines, Kate is a strong advocate for initiatives that empower people and strengthen career pathways into health and care. Her work reflects a deep commitment to lifelong learning and to creating opportunities that unlock potential at every stage of a career journey.
Based in Thurrock, Kate balances her professional life with volunteering as a Cadet Forces Adult Volunteer, pursuing her passion for genealogy as an amateur researcher, and enjoying time outdoors walking and Geocaching to recharge and reflect.
Professor Gilly Salmon (PhD, NTF, PFHEA)
Professor Gilly Salmon (PhD, NTF, PFHEA) is delighted to join South Essex College’s Board as a Governor. Born, brought up, and educated in Southend, she is now a leading researcher and practitioner in digital transformation, learning innovation, and organisational change across higher and further education. She held senior academic and executive roles in the UK and Australia, founded Education Alchemists Ltd, and contributed extensively to sector-wide initiatives on online learning, pedagogy, and the responsible use of emerging technologies. As an experienced Non-Executive Director, she brings strong governance insights, a commitment to widening opportunity, and a focus on helping institutions navigate the intelligent age with humanity, integrity, effectiveness, and care.
Gerry Bender
Gerry Bender brings extensive experience across a wide spectrum of education to his role as Governor. He has worked in supportive education, special needs as well as in further education colleges. His experience also includes teaching in a specialist Secure Unit for juvenile offender 11-16 and working for the Voice of the Child in Care as a lay visitor.
In more recent years he has worked for the Open College Network as a programme manager and at a London FE College as a Quality Manager and IV for offsite provisions.
Gerry brings his considerable experience to serving as a governor for over 5 years at SECG. Gerry serves as the Chair of Governance and Renumeration Committee and as the Chair of Basildon’s Local College Board. As Chair of the Basildon LCB, Gerry is passionate about skills development, employer engagement, and act as an advocate for education for all that responds to local and national needs.
Dr. Marco Steel
Dr. Marco Steel is an accomplished and strategically minded Senior Program Manager with over eight years of experience leading complex operations, transformation programmes, and process optimisation across the financial services and healthcare sectors. With a professional foundation spanning Nursing, Hospitality, and corporate leadership, Dr. Steel brings a uniquely people centred and operationally rigorous approach to every role. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and a Doctorate in Strategic Direction and Leadership.
Marco serves as Co Chair of his employer’s UK LGBTQ+ Network, championing inclusion, organisational culture, and talent development. Known for his ability to stabilise, scale, and enhance operations, Marco Steel has a strong track record in regulatory compliance, governance, and delivering measurable improvements in performance and client outcomes.
His extensive operational expertise and transferable leadership skills underpin his work as an Associate Director at his employer, where Dr. Steel drives efficiency, strengthens controls, and builds high performing teams. He is currently pursuing the Investment Management Certificate and the Certificate in Insurance, further broadening his technical and industry capability.
Marco has also contributed to public service as a volunteer with the Metropolitan Police, reflecting his commitment to community engagement, integrity, and civic responsibility.
Outside of work, Marco Steel is an avid traveller and an unapologetic aviation enthusiast, with a particular love for aircraft, airports, and the logistics that make global travel possible. Marco’s passion for exploring new cultures and destinations complements his professional curiosity and global outlook.
Influential, results focused, and highly adept at stakeholder engagement, Dr. Steel consistently delivers impact through clarity, collaboration, and strategic execution.
Saskia Haas-Lee (Student Governor)
Bio coming soon
