West Nottinghamshire College has appointed experienced finance leader Helen Smurthwaite as its new chief financial officer.
Helen describes herself as “a passionate advocate of the Further Education sector and all it offers to learners."
She joins the college from Natara Global, where she was commercial finance director for the international manufacturing and engineering business, and brings extensive experience across education, skills and employability.
As chief financial officer, Helen is responsible for ensuring the college’s ongoing financial health, supporting its strategic ambitions and investment in staff, students and communities.
Her appointment continues the college’s focus on delivering high-quality education and skills opportunities that support learners, employers and communities across Nottinghamshire and the wider region.
Helen said: “I am a passionate advocate of the Further Education sector and all it offers to learners. I believe in the impact that education has on individual lives and circumstances, so I’m really excited to be joining the college and the great team here to support and build on the work it already does so well.
“There is so much potential for local impact through the courses and opportunities the college delivers. I’m especially looking forward to helping shape how we deliver educational reforms in the best way for the people and employers we serve.”
Helen began her career as a community pharmacist before moving into finance after completing a postgraduate diploma in management studies at Kingston University. She later qualified with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) while working for a major pharmacy chain now owned by Boots.
Over the course of her career, Helen has held numerous senior finance roles with organisations including Capita, PeoplePlus and Ingeus, working across outsourced IT, employability, justice and youth services. During her time at PeoplePlus, she served as head of finance for the company’s skills division, overseeing funding and financial operations linked to adult education and apprenticeships.
Helen also served for four years as a governor at Nottingham College, including two years as chair of its audit committee.
Born in Scarborough and brought up in North Yorkshire, Helen now lives in Newton Solney, Derbyshire, with her husband Miles, daughter Hannah, 16, and family dog Otto. Away from work, she is heavily involved in hockey as junior co-ordinator and sixth team captain at Belper Hockey Club, while also training for the Great North Run in aid of housing and homelessness charity Shelter.
Helen believes there is “so much potential for local impact through the courses and opportunities the college delivers.”
Helen succeeds Jon Fearon, who is set to retire from the college at the end of June this year after playing a pivotal role in strengthening its financial position since returning to the organisation as finance director in 2019.
During his time in post, the college has expanded significantly, opening seven new sites, employing around 500 additional staff and delivering successive operational surpluses to support continued reinvestment across the organisation.
Principal and chief executive Andrew Cropley MBE said: “Jon is rightly credited with masterminding the use of college resources to help the organisation increase in size by around two-thirds during his time with us. He has been brilliant at securing additional funding through local, regional and national routes and ensuring that investment has the greatest possible impact for our local communities.
“Whilst Jon leaves a tremendous legacy, we are delighted to welcome Helen to our team. She brings a wealth of experience across a range of sectors, including skills, and is absolutely committed to our mission and vision.
“Her fresh perspective is already challenging us to think differently about some aspects of our work and I am certain she will be a great asset to our college.”