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.

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.

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.

SARAH CROSSLEY
- Assistant Principal (Sixth Form and University) 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.
