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ABOUT US

Meet the Senior Management Team

MEET THE TEAM

KAREN BUCHANAN

  • Principal of Burnley College and Chief Executive Officer of Themis

Karen previously held the role of Deputy Principal since 2011. Karen has worked in the Further Education sector since accepting a position as a part time computing lecturer at Burnley College in 1986 and, prior to this, enjoyed a career as a Computer Programmer and Systems Analyst at The Prestige Group PLC, British Aerospace and Leyland DAF.

Karen B

KATE WALLACE

  • Deputy Principal at Burnley College

The previous Assistant Principal for Adult, Apprenticeships and Commercial Education. Kate has taught in a range of educational settings and has held senior management positions in general further education colleges and a university. Previous senior roles have included Assistant Principal for curriculum, employer and learner services and Group Director of Apprenticeships.

STUART ARNFIELD

  • Director of Finance and Resources at Burnley College

Stuart is Association of Chartered Accountants (ACA) qualified with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).  His previous senior-level posts have included Director of Finance and Estates at St Helens College; Head of Finance at St Helens College and Internal Audit Manager at PwC.

Stuart A

NEIL BURROWS

  • Director of Skills, Innovation and Employer Engagement at Burnley College

The previous Head of Engineering at Burnley College, Neil brings a wealth of international management experience to his role. A former International Apprenticeship Manager and UK Work Based Learning Manager for the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board, he holds a plethora of advanced and university-level professional Engineering qualifications and has received national recognition for his commitment to training and skills development.

A man stands on an internal balcony at a leading Sixth Form College

SARAH CROSSLEY

  • Assistant Principal (Sixth Form) at Burnley College

Sarah started her career at Burnley College as an English Lecturer before accepting the roles of A Levels Curriculum Principal and Head of A Levels. Upon receiving her degree in English and Related Literature from the University of York, Sarah launched her teaching career, and has since completed a Masters in Education. Sarah is currently undertaking a Doctorate in Education, building on her already impressive foundation of skills and knowledge around education and teaching.

Sarah

NINA PARKIN

  • Assistant Principal (University and Adult Education) at Burnley College

Nina’s previous role as Dean of BCUC, where she worked with partner universities to build our university provision. Earlier in her careers she was Business Development Manager of an international engineering company for 10 years, before retraining as a teacher. Nina spent 17 years in education teaching Business and Economics at A Level and Degree level and more recently worked extensively to widen participation and re-engage adult learners back into education.