Trust Members
Alex Baxter
Appointed as an independent Governor in 2010 and as Chair of the Corporation in January 2016, Alex has had a successful career in the Royal Navy and the commercial aviation sector. Having been a Director of a global IT company, then Chief Executive of a US-based company, Alex moved to join Smiths Detection UK Civil Businesses (a division of Smiths Group plc (FTSE 100 Company) as its President, also serving as a Director of Smiths Military Division. He continues to undertake consultancy work in defence.
He is currently Managing Director of the Armed Forces Major Events Team for North East Lincolnshire and Armed Forces Champion for North East Lincolnshire Council and is the lead organiser of the local Armed Forces Day event. Previously a Justice of the Peace and a local councillor, he served as Mayor and Chairman of North East Lincolnshire Council in 2014/15. He also holds other public service appointments and trusteeships.
You can contact the Chair of the Corporation direction via email: chair@franklin.ac.uk
Sabine Holmes
Until her retirement, Sabine worked in the education and training sector for 25 years. She is a qualified teacher and has always enjoyed studying, which culminated in her gaining a master’s degree in Education Leadership and Management. Her years of working first as a teacher and then as a manager helped to provide the guidance and support that Governors are expected to give to the college staff and students. Being a member of the Corporation is a fantastic way of staying in touch with this ever-changing environment. She particularly enjoys meeting the staff and students at various events throughout the year.
She enjoys travelling, cooking for family and friends, listening to all kinds of music and reading books in her first language, German. In 2018, Sabine became a grandma for the first time, which is undoubtedly the best job in the world!
Rob Walsh
Professor Karen Stanton
Board of Directors
Alex Baxter
Chair and Director
Appointed as an independent Governor in 2010 and as Chair of the Corporation in January 2016, Alex has had a successful career in the Royal Navy and the commercial aviation sector. Having been a Director of a global IT company, then Chief Executive of a US-based company, Alex moved to join Smiths Detection UK Civil Businesses (a division of Smiths Group plc (FTSE 100 Company) as its President, also serving as a Director of Smiths Military Division. He continues to undertake consultancy work in defence.
He is currently Managing Director of the Armed Forces Major Events Team for North East Lincolnshire and Armed Forces Champion for North East Lincolnshire Council and is the lead organiser of the local Armed Forces Day event. Previously a Justice of the Peace and a local councillor, he served as Mayor and Chairman of North East Lincolnshire Council in 2014/15. He also holds other public service appointments and trusteeships.
You can contact the Chair of the Corporation direction via email: chair@franklin.ac.uk
Sabine Holmes
Vice-Chair and Director
Until her retirement, Sabine worked in the education and training sector for 25 years. She is a qualified teacher and has always enjoyed studying, which culminated in her gaining a master’s degree in Education Leadership and Management. Her years of working first as a teacher and then as a manager helped to provide the guidance and support that Governors are expected to give to the college staff and students. Being a member of the Corporation is a fantastic way of staying in touch with this ever-changing environment. She particularly enjoys meeting the staff and students at various events throughout the year.
She enjoys travelling, cooking for family and friends, listening to all kinds of music and reading books in her first language, German. In 2018, Sabine became a grandma for the first time, which is undoubtedly the best job in the world!
Joshua Briggs
Director
Joshua was formerly a student and returned to Franklin College in his capacity as a governor in April 2017, currently sitting on the Remuneration and Resources Committees.
Joshua is a Partner and Head of the Dispute Resolution department at Wilkin Chapman LLP, the region’s leading law firm, advising businesses and individuals on a range of property-related and commercial disputes, utilising all forms of dispute resolution, including court proceedings, arbitration, mediation and expert determination.
In his spare time, Joshua spends time with his young family, following and watching the Mighty Mariners and playing the guitar.
Wendy Ellis
CEO, Principal & Director
A qualified accountant, Wendy began her journey at Franklin Sixth Form College, teaching accounting part-time to adult learners before becoming Finance Director, a position she held for two years before becoming an Assistant Principal. She continued to progress in her career, becoming Vice Principal and then taking on the role of Interim Principal. Wendy is now Franklin's Principal and CEO and has been fundamental in the college’s transformation over the last half-decade.
Greg Marsden
Director
Greg has a wealth of experience in the education sector, being a former Local Leader of Education (LLE) and a retired primary executive head teacher, based in a school which was the first in the area to convert to a standalone academy. He is a Director of the Lincoln Diocesan Academy Trust and is Chair of the Finance Committee of the Trust. Greg is also a member of the governing body of a local secondary academy with special responsibility for pupil behaviour and is a local community leader. In his spare time, he is Chairman of the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Model Engineering Society.
Greg was appointed as an independent Governor in July 2015, and has a particular interest in teaching and learning within Franklin Sixth Form College. He sits on the Search, Remuneration, and Quality, Teaching and Learning Committees and is Chair of the Resources Committee.
Jerry Woolner
Director
Jerry has been an independent Governor since 2015 and is the Chair of Governors at a Grimsby primary school, having overseen its transition to a standalone primary. He is also Chair of a Multi-Academy Trust which now includes over twenty schools and has previously served on the governing body of a local secondary school. He therefore understands the continuing needs of students throughout their education. In addition, Jerry was appointed as a National Leader of Governance in 2015 and has recently been appointed by the Department for Education as Chair of an Interim Executive Body to manage a three-school Federation classed as “of concern”.
In his working life, Jerry is the founder and Managing Director of a training company, has been a management consultant working for many large blue-chip food companies, and has held senior positions within the food manufacturing industry.
His interest in careers advice and guidance for young people has led him to become lead Governor for the College in this field. He is also the Safeguarding Link Governor, sits on the Search, Remuneration and Resources Committees and is Chair of the Quality, Teaching and Learning Committee.
Local Governing Body
Greg Marsden
Chair & Community Governor
Greg has a wealth of experience in the education sector, being a former Local Leader of Education (LLE) and a retired primary executive head teacher, based in a school which was the first in the area to convert to a standalone academy. He is a Director of the Lincoln Diocesan Academy Trust and is Chair of the Finance Committee of the Trust. Greg is also a member of the governing body of a local secondary academy with special responsibility for pupil behaviour and is a local community leader. In his spare time, he is Chairman of the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Model Engineering Society.
Greg was appointed as an independent Governor in July 2015, and has a particular interest in teaching and learning within Franklin Sixth Form College. He sits on the Search, Remuneration, and Quality, Teaching and Learning Committees and is Chair of the Resources Committee.
Dr Kirsty Miller
Vice-Chair & Community Governor
Alex Baxter
Community Governor
Appointed as an independent Governor in 2010 and as Chair of the Corporation in January 2016, Alex has had a successful career in the Royal Navy and the commercial aviation sector. Having been a Director of a global IT company, then Chief Executive of a US-based company, Alex moved to join Smiths Detection UK Civil Businesses (a division of Smiths Group plc (FTSE 100 Company) as its President, also serving as a Director of Smiths Military Division. He continues to undertake consultancy work in defence.
He is currently Managing Director of the Armed Forces Major Events Team for North East Lincolnshire and Armed Forces Champion for North East Lincolnshire Council and is the lead organiser of the local Armed Forces Day event. Previously a Justice of the Peace and a local councillor, he served as Mayor and Chairman of North East Lincolnshire Council in 2014/15. He also holds other public service appointments and trusteeships.
You can contact the Chair of the Corporation direction via email: chair@franklin.ac.uk
Alan Bird
Community Governor
Alan became a governor of Franklin in 2016 just over a year after retiring as Group Director of Finance at the Grimsby Institute (GIFHE). During his nineteen years at the Institute, he gained extensive experience and knowledge of the F.E. sector.
Whilst at GIFHE, he was the link person organising college funding for the Institute charity, St Andrews Hospice. Having retired, he is now a voluntary driver for a Louth based organisation, transporting and accompanying patients to doctors and hospital appointments throughout the county and beyond.
He is also a trustee of a local charity which runs the leisure centres, swimming pools, libraries and Grimsby Auditorium. In his spare time, he enjoys watching sport, is a Grimsby Town FC season ticket holder and also enjoys live music.
Sabine Holmes
Community Governor
Until her retirement, Sabine worked in the education and training sector for 25 years. She is a qualified teacher and has always enjoyed studying, which culminated in her gaining a master’s degree in Education Leadership and Management. Her years of working first as a teacher and then as a manager helped to provide the guidance and support that Governors are expected to give to the college staff and students. Being a member of the Corporation is a fantastic way of staying in touch with this ever-changing environment. She particularly enjoys meeting the staff and students at various events throughout the year.
She enjoys travelling, cooking for family and friends, listening to all kinds of music and reading books in her first language, German. In 2018, Sabine became a grandma for the first time, which is undoubtedly the best job in the world!
Joshua Briggs
Community Governor
Joshua was formerly a student and returned to Franklin College in his capacity as a governor in April 2017, currently sitting on the Remuneration and Resources Committees.
Joshua is a Partner and Head of the Dispute Resolution department at Wilkin Chapman LLP, the region’s leading law firm, advising businesses and individuals on a range of property-related and commercial disputes, utilising all forms of dispute resolution, including court proceedings, arbitration, mediation and expert determination.
In his spare time, Joshua spends time with his young family, following and watching the Mighty Mariners and playing the guitar.
Wendy Ellis
CEO & Community Governor
A qualified accountant, Wendy began her journey at Franklin Sixth Form College, teaching accounting part-time to adult learners before becoming Finance Director, a position she held for two years before becoming an Assistant Principal. She continued to progress in her career, becoming Vice Principal and then taking on the role of Interim Principal. Wendy is now Franklin's Principal and CEO and has been fundamental in the college’s transformation over the last half-decade.
Jerry Woolner
Community Governor
Jerry has been an independent Governor since 2015 and is the Chair of Governors at a Grimsby primary school, having overseen its transition to a standalone primary. He is also Chair of a Multi-Academy Trust which now includes over twenty schools and has previously served on the governing body of a local secondary school. He therefore understands the continuing needs of students throughout their education. In addition, Jerry was appointed as a National Leader of Governance in 2015 and has recently been appointed by the Department for Education as Chair of an Interim Executive Body to manage a three-school Federation classed as “of concern”.
In his working life, Jerry is the founder and Managing Director of a training company, has been a management consultant working for many large blue-chip food companies, and has held senior positions within the food manufacturing industry.
His interest in careers advice and guidance for young people has led him to become lead Governor for the College in this field. He is also the Safeguarding Link Governor, sits on the Search, Remuneration and Resources Committees and is Chair of the Quality, Teaching and Learning Committee.
Katie Milner
Community Governor
Katie was born in Grimsby, where she lived until the age of 11, before emigrating with her family to South Australia.
She completed her secondary education in Australia and had her first taste of employment there, before returning to the UK in 1990.For the past 32 years, she has worked as a dental nurse/manager at a local dental practice. Having gained her dental nursing and dental radiography qualifications she went on to study for a degree in Business Studies from Lincoln University which she obtained in 2002. In 2013, she took over the ownership of the dental practice and for the past 10 years has worked hard to improve and grow it as a business. Running the practice has been very rewarding and has given her a greater understanding of finance and business management strategies, as well as experience of compliance and inspection processes and procedures. She has four children, two of whom attended Franklin College. When not at work she enjoys cooking, entertaining and crafting.
Louise Jones
Community Governor
Louise has worked in education since 1992 and since 2016 has worked at York College as the Director of Data and Information Services. In her role, she oversees a fantastic team, covering admissions, student data, curriculum, timetables, exams, and reporting services.
Starting out at Grimsby College, where she stayed for 22 years, she has also worked at the Newcastle College Group (NCG) and the DN College Group.
Louise is a real geek when it comes to data and has seen a lot of changes since she started her career when everything was on paper. She has seen the introduction of everything which has brought us to the computerised systems of today.
Outside of College, Louise loves walking and has recently joined the Ramblers Association. She lives in Grimsby with her husband and daughter.
Helen Forman
Staff Community Governor
Helen joined Franklin College in 2004 after graduating with a degree in Sport and Exercise Science. She began her career in a support role within the Sport department, focusing on increasing student participation in physical activity. Motivated to expand her impact in education, Helen went on to complete a PGCE, which led to teaching roles in both A Level and BTEC Sport. Her commitment to student development saw her take on the role of Lead Tutor, before progressing to Student Services Manager. In parallel, she became Assistant Head of Department for Sport and Uniformed Protective Services. Helen now serves as the Associate Principal for Pastoral and Progression, where she oversees the Progress Coach team and progression pathways - continuing her long-standing dedication to supporting young people in both their academic and personal journeys.
CJ Stephens
Staff Community Governor
CJ has a degree in Sport Science and a postgraduate certificate in education, beginning her career in post-16 education at the age of twenty. She joined Franklin Sixth Form College in 2012 to deliver a five-year Sport England project off the back of the 2012 Olympics. During this time, she continued to teach P.E. and took on the role of Governor. In 2018, she became School Liaison and Events Manager, then took on Marketing and Admissions just before lockdown. She now serves in a leadership role, focused on inspiring young people and building aspirations for their best future possible.
Josephine Ifeanyi-Osia
Student Community Governor
Paul Grant
Parent Community Governor
Paul’s career is in project management. Prior to this, he spent over 15 years as an engineer, specialising in piping & mechanical design. He enjoys learning new skills and has undertaken multiple qualifications over his career, some at higher education (HNC) level, and most recently has completed several distance learning courses, including mental health first aid and an OU course in project management.
