CAPEL MANOR GOVERNING BODY
(Updated 1st August 2008)
ROGER ABRAHAM
Roger Abraham is Chairman of the Audit Committee and member of the Search and Personnel Committees. He has a particular interest in the overall strategic development of College and its centres. Roger Abraham is a Solicitor and was a partner (before his retirement in the mid 1990’s) of Breeze & Wyles who undertook a range of legal work on behalf of the College. Therefore, his knowledge of the College is extensive as well as his experience within education circles as a Chair of a School Board of Governors. He is also currently a member of the Audit Committee for Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland.
SAM BELL
Sam Bell is a member of the Finance and General Purposes committee, Personnel committee and Search committee. He has a keen interest in both allotment gardening and the work of the local community. He has been nominated by the Governing Body to be their representative on the Edmonton Green Colleges’ Centre Steering Group. Sam Bell has a special interest in promoting equal opportunities and general personnel matters and developing further links between the College and local communities.
JOHN F. BENNETT F.I. Hort
John Bennett is a member of the Curriculum and Quality Committee and has a specific interest in quality and curriculum issues and the overall academic strategy of the college. He has an extensive Educational and Horticultural background and was a Lecturer for a number of years (1966 - 92) as well as being an HM Inspector for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (1984-97), since when he has been an assessor for AoC Beacon Awards. John Bennett was Hon. Treasurer/Hon. Secretary of the Institute of Horticulture and works closely with the Royal Horticultural Society in relation to examinations. He was Deputy Director for Brighton Parks (1975-84) and Derby Parks (1970-75).
IRENE BYARD
Irene Byard is the former Headmistress of a successful secondary school and has a particular interest in widening provision for the 14-19 age group and ensuring access to work related learning. She is a Consultant Leader and until her retirement, was actively involved in educational initiatives at local and national level. A historian by training, she is interested in architectural and gardening history and the floral and decorative arts. She also serves as a Justice of the Peace.
CHRISTINE COHEN
Christine Cohen is Chairman of the City of London Corporation Planning and Transportation Committee. In the past she has Chaired all the City of London Open Space Committees (Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest and Commons, which includes Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches and Ashtead Common) and the main Open Spaces Committee.
As the City of London Corporation is the largest public open space land-owner in Greater London she is able to make a valuable contribution to discussions concerning Capel Manor’s regional role as the only specialist in the land based associated industries in Greater London. She is currently Master of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners in London.
KEN CROWTHER
Ken Crowther has a specific interest in amenity horticulture and landscape, the gardens and general estates development.
Ken Crowther is a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committee and Personnel Committee and owns his own Landscape and Garden Maintenance Company. As well as being a Horticultural Consultant, he is a Garden Adviser for BBC Essex and broadcasts gardening programmes. Ken Crowther is also a past freelance writer and regularly writes articles for publication. He is the past President of the Horticultural Trades Association and member of A.P.L., Garden Writers Guild and Institute of Horticulture and is a member of the Livery of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners.
STEVEN DOWBIGGIN OBE PhD, F.I.Hort
Dr. Dowbiggin has been the Chief Executive/Principal since 1986, having previously been Vice Principal between 1982 – 1986. Prior to being appointed at the College he was Head of Department at Hadlow College of Agriculture (Kent) from 1977 – 1982. His background included periods of academic research into pollution bio-chemistry, management consultancy and a period employed as a farm manager for a major vegetable production company. He is a past Chair of the Institute of Horticulture’s Standing Committee of Education and Training and was made a Fellow on the Institute in 1988. He is member of the Livery of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners and has recently been elected as their Renter Warden and a member of their Court of Assistants.
GRAHAM EUSTANCE OBE
Graham Eustance OBE is a Local Authority Representative on the Governing Body, nominated by the London Borough of Enfield and is a member of the Remuneration Committee. He was elected to the London Borough of Enfield in 1964 and has served on Road Safety, Highways, Conservation, Planning, Housing and Education Committees. He was leader of the Council for a number of years and has been the Mayor of Enfield on two occasions. He brings a keen interest and experience in the field of education and environmental issues to the Governing Body. He has served as a Trustee to Enfield Church Trust for Girls and is at present its Chairman.
DOUGLAS FUSSELL
Douglas Fussell has a personal interest in the College and the Gardens both from a horticultural point of view and the amenities provided to the community. He is a Chartered Accountant and former Managing Partner of the Enfield office of Moore Stephens, a national and international group of accounting firms. He is a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committee and takes a keen interest in the operation of the College, both from an Educational point of view and as a grounding for future careers in business. He is a former member of the Executive of the Enfield Chamber of Commerce, and a Director and former Chairman of Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Having started his working life in the City of London he maintains close contacts with the City through his former firm’s City office and his membership of the Livery of the Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers.
SUSAN GORMAN
Susan Gorman is the staff governor. Susan is a member of the Core Skills Team which is part of the School of Learning Support. She is a former primary school teacher of many years experience, with a keen interest in special needs and lifelong learning. She lives locally and is involved in many local community forums. Her hobbies include gardening, green bowling and travelling to places of interest around the world. Susan is keen to see the college develop its courses and premises across Greater London.
DON GRATTON
Don Gratton is a member of the Audit, Personnel and Health and Safety Committees. Formerly Pro Rector and Director of Resources at the London Institute (now the University of the Arts London), he had overall responsibility for functions including estates development, personnel, library and learning resources and student services. A scientist by training, his teaching career embraced courses at both further and higher education. He is particularly interested in contributing to the College’s thinking on strategic developments of its curriculum and the related requirements of its estates and human resource planning.
HUW JONES-OWEN
Huw Jones Owen worked for the Association of London Councils. This Association includes all the local authorities throughout Greater London who are effectively the major employers of those responsible for the management of public green and open spaces throughout London. He is Chairman of the Personnel Committee, Search Committee and Remuneration Committee. He has extensive knowledge and experience in the fields of personnel, management and administration, public sector and political processes.
TONY LEACH
Tony Leach studied horticulture at Bath University and went on to train as a Landscape Architect while working in four different London Boroughs over eighteen years. Tony’s interest in people, project management and business development led him to manage a variety of urban regeneration projects and teams that took him away from the parks world. In 1999 he set up an independent business consultancy specialising in management and business development. He has been Director of the London Parks & Green Spaces Forum since 2004. See www.lpgsf.org.uk. He is a CABESpace Corporate Enabler, has been a Trustee for the London Parks & Gardens Trust since 2005, and a Green Flag Judge since 2002.
RON MELVILLE
Ron Melville has a particular interest in trees, woodlands and forestry. He is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Foresters and has been an employee of the Forestry Commission for over 30 years. This has been spent in Scotland, Wales and England, but since 2002 he has been the Forestry Commission Regional Director for London. Ron has a particular interest in urban forestry and for a number of years was the Commission’s Officer in Charge of the Community Forest Programme and has had a close involvement with the Forest Education Initiative. He was also a prime mover in the preparation and development of the London Trees and Woodland Framework, which has since been accepted as a Mayoral document.
He has a considerable understanding of the effect that an improved green environment can have on the lives of inner city residents and is a strong advocate of encouraging local and community involvement. Ron is a member of the Thames Gateway Environmental Committee as well as the Forestry Commission’s Southern Growth Area Team.
MALCOLM R. PARKINSON
Malcolm Parkinson is Chairman Designate of the Governing Body and Chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee and a member of the Remuneration Committee. He has specific interest in the marketing, image and promotion of the College. Malcolm Parkinson was the founding Marketing Director of the B&Q chain and past Chief Executive of Woolworths. He is a member of the Livery of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners and a Fellow of the Marketing Society. Malcolm Parkinson has considerable experience within private sector industry and his skills in marketing, retailing and commerce are particularly relevant to the College.
LADY STUTTARD
Lesley Stuttard became a governor in 2008 and is a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committtee. She is a former Lady Mayoress of the City of London and a member of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners. She has a lifelong interest in gardening and has visited gardens all over the world.
JAMES WISDOM
James Wisdom is currently Chairman of the Friends of Gunnersbury Park and Museum and was a founder member of this Registered Charity in 1980. In this capacity he serves as an observor on the Gunnersbury Park Joint Committee. He has worked in Further, Adult and Higher Education and has held middle and senior management posts in two universities as an adviser and strategist on educational and staff development. He works as a higher education consultant and has been appointed a Visiting Professor in Educational Development at Middlesex University.
Last updated:
15 August, 2008
For further information and how to apply please contact
the Student Registry at:
Capel Manor College
Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, Middlesex EN1 4RQ
Tel: 08456 122 122
