New Top-level Appointments for Refreshing Perspective at Bournemouth and Poole College

We’ve had several new top appointments at the college, which will help us steer through a period of growth and transition. Please have a read of the new appointments below.

Sarah Hutchings, Chief Operating Officer 

Our newly appointed Chief Operating Officer, Sarah Hutchings, brings with her a wealth of experience from a career in Financial Services, Manufacturing, Engineering and Marketing & Distribution. More recently she worked for 6 years in the education sector at Bournemouth University as Deputy Finance Director. 

Sarah has a background in Finance, Risk, Business Transformation, Change and Programme Management and is an advocate of LEAN methodology which follows the principles of value, value stream, flow, pull, and perfection. Which, as Sarah says, can be applied to deliver maximum value for students, with outcome-focused spending being key.

When asked what she’d like to implement in her new role, she suggested process improvement was an area she would be very interested in, with the onus on cutting out unnecessary stages in working processes for staff and students. She also said applying for funding opportunities would be a key area for her as COO to allow continued investment in buildings and equipment and ensuring the College is financially sustainable for the long term. 

Sarah said: “Helping students to be where they want to be in life, using the facilities of our new buildings and refurbishments to maximum effect, and achieving good outcomes for them is where I will feel a real sense of pride. I’m looking forward to working in the role and already finding it very busy with exciting changes planned. 

Sarah enjoys walking, reading, travelling and gardening.  She lives in North Dorset and is married with three increasingly grown-up children and a menagerie of animals.

Ali Leaverland, Deputy Principal

Ali Leaverland joined the college on 2^nd January 2024. She brings with her over 27 years of experience in the Further Education (FE) sector with 11 at a senior level and six at an executive level. Ali has been a teacher as part of her grounding further education experience – and has held a variety of roles: including as a verifier, curriculum manager, Head of Student Services, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Assistant Principal and Deputy Principal. 

Ali’s new role at the Bournemouth and Poole College will be as Vice Principal Curriculum and Quality. Ali was keen to widen her experience by working at a larger college. In her last role, as Deputy Principal, she was the Quality Nominee for a full inspection (October 2022) and was one the first colleges to go through the new enhanced skills inspection.  The college was awarded an Ofsted ‘Good’ rating with ‘outstanding features’ (October 2022). 

At Bournemouth and Poole College, Ali has every intention to help support staff to be the ‘very best they can be’. She says: “I want Bournemouth and Poole College to be the first choice for employers and stakeholders for their training and education.” The challenges for FE she foresees include the changing landscape of the FE sector, legislation and funding. Despite this, she adds: “The further education sector is uniquely adept at coping with change and making things happen.  Working in FE is ever-changing. This is why Ali enjoys it and is passionate about working in this sector, and no two days are the same.  

“We are at the heart of our community and play a multifaceted role in ensuring we are not only meeting the diverse needs of individuals, employers, and partners but also developing the skills and knowledge required to support economic growth locally.”

On a more personal level, Ali currently lives in Somerset in an old shabby-chic thatched cottage farmhouse. She is looking forward to moving to be near the sea and living in a more vibrant conurbation as part of her new role. She is interested in travelling and festivals and enjoys reading Ken Follett novels. Ali is the proud mum to two grown-up daughters (one in New Zealand and one in Norwich). She would love to have some animals at the farmhouse but her busy career doesn’t allow her, something to look forward to for retirement! 

Jayne Courtney – Head of Organisational Development  

Jayne Courtney arrived in February as the Head of Organisational Development, a newly created post. 

Situated within the People and Student Experience directorate, Jayne will play a vital role in driving, implementing and facilitating the organisational development strategy of the college. 

Designing and executing an engaging programme of skills and cultural development, Jayne will work with the People Team to deliver an excellent employee and student experience

Outside of work Jayne is an avid book reader - history, travel or thrillers are particular favourites - as well as enjoying films and tv. She enjoys watching sport - anything from horse racing, football and rugby to tennis - alongside Gogglebox and Race Around the World. If the weather is good, she can often be found pottering around in the garden and most summers becomes obsessed with her tomato plants. As a child, she earned medals in ballroom and Latin American dancing and her friends confirm that to this day she is usually the first on the dance floor at a party!