Sally Cornfield

Sally was appointed to the Corporation in November 2024. She is employed by Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust as Programme Director for Dudley Health and Care Partnership where she is responsible for driving forward integration and collaboration in Health and Social Care within Dudley and supporting all partners in delivering the shared agenda to improve health and care experience and outcomes and to reduce health inequalities. As a Dudley resident, parent and employee Sally is committed to the borough of Dudley and the people who live, work and study here. Sally serves on the Standards Committee.

Wendy Davies 

Wendy was appointed as a member of the Corporation in November 2020. Wendy is head of audit and compliance at CKCA Limited, a firm of Chartered Accountants based in Dudley. She has experience of the not for profit and education sector. She graduated from Birmingham City University with a degree in Accountancy and Finance and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. She is a trustee of Get Ahead Charitable Trust and a director of Leukaemia Care. She serves on the Corporation’s Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee.

Mireille Digard

Mireille joined Dudley College in 2024 as Sustainability Manager after leaving Yorkshire, which she had made her home, to take up a role that aligned perfectly with her values and the college’s strategic vision—despite never having set foot in Dudley before. She began her career in education and taught for 23 years, holding a PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages, before gradually moving into sustainability. A firm believer in lifelong learning, Mireille has continued to develop her expertise through sustainability-focused study and professional development. Her passion for fairness, justice, and balance drives her approach to environmental responsibility and governance. In her current role, she works across curriculum, estates, and external partnerships, giving her a broad understanding of how decisions affect staff and students. Mireille serves on the Finance and Estates Committee.

Nirmal Gupta 

Nirmal was appointed as a member of the Corporation in July 2021. Nirmal is a commercial practitioner for the Department of Defence. He graduated in mechanical engineering and has a post-graduate diploma in business administration. He has worked in manufacturing, marketing/sales, training and business management in large engineering companies in construction equipment, auto-components and in renewable energy in the UK, The Netherlands and India. He serves on the Corporation’s Standards Committee. 

Paul Hartridge

Paul was appointed as a Staff Governor following his election by the College’s Teaching Staff in November 2022.  Paul has been with Dudley College for just over 3 years after transferring from Birmingham Metropolitan College. He started his career in FE teaching students with LDD basic woodwork skills in a community provision based at a Social Services day centre. After 4 years of this, having completed his Cert Ed, he transferred to the Carpentry department as a technician where he then re-trained in carpentry, joinery and cabinet making. Paul went on to be a trainer/instructor initially working with employed students, then moving on to full time students and apprentices, before being made a lecturer.  He serves on the Corporation’s Standards Committee.

Diana Martin

Diana has been employed by the College for almost 20 years and has held several roles including Assistant Principal and Vice Principal before taking on the role of Chief Executive and Principal on 15th February 2025. As Chief Executive and Principal, Diana is responsible for ensuring the College’s senior leadership team is leading the college effectively to achieve its strategic plan and delivers an excellent experience for learners, apprentices and all stakeholders. Along with the senior leadership team, Diana ensures the College meets the needs of its local community, developing a curriculum offer which addresses local, regional and national skills needs. Working alongside the Corporation and senior colleagues, the Chief Executive & Principal plays a pivotal role in the determination and oversight of the strategic development of Dudley College of Technology, its subsidiaries and associated organisations (including Dudley Academies Trust). The Chief Executive & Principal leads on developing and maintaining productive relationships with key stakeholders and plays a significant role in representing the College externally. The Chief Executive & Principal provides inspirational leadership to the staff and students of the College.  Diana is an ex-officio member of the Corporation and serves on the Corporation’s Standards Committee, Search Committee and Finance & Estates Committee.

Mphathisi Ncube

Mphathisi was appointed to the Corporation in November 2024. Mphathisi is the Divisional Director for Clinical Support Services at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust but is currently Acting up as a Divisional Director of Operations for Clinical Support Services and Pharmacy. He has extensive health care experience spanning across community and acute health care settings including implementation of apprenticeship programmes. He is an inclusive, compassionate leader who works with integrity and prides himself in exceptional planning, strategic leadership, and management skills. He has an MSc in Healthcare Policy Management from University of Birmingham. He serves on the Corporation’s Finance and Estates Committee.

Professor Paul Noon OBE

Professor Paul Noon OBE, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Enterprise and Innovation) for Coventry University was appointed to the Corporation from 1st January 2023.

Professor Noon leads Coventry University’s enterprise and innovation team on projects across the UK and internationally.  Professor Noon’s appointment at Coventry follows a distinguished career with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. His diplomatic service career largely focused on developing the economic prosperity of the UK and working closely with a range of businesses of all sizes. Before joining the University, Paul was Regional Director of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) West Midlands, where his main role was to support local businesses to grow and develop their export markets, as well as attracting inward investment to the region. Paul is a champion of devolution, working collaboratively with the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Midlands Engine to drive growth and prosperity in the region.  He serves on the Corporation’s Standards Committee, Finance and Estates Committee, Remuneration Committee and Search Committee.

Jason Parker 

Jason was appointed as a member of the Corporation in February 2020. Jason is Managing Director of Thomas Dudley Limited, a group of local manufacturing businesses. He is a Chartered Management Accountant and also holds a MBA from Wolverhampton University. Jason is also a Director of the BMA (Bathroom Manufacturers Association). He serves on the Corporation’s Finance & Estates Committee and Remuneration Committee. 

Simka Rifai

Simka was appointed to the Dudley College Corporation as a Student Governor for the 2025/26 academic year. She concurrently holds the position of Vice President of Campaigns at the Dudley Students’ Union and is studying Business Payroll with progression planned to a BTEC in Accounting. Simka is also a member of the Unloc Youth Board UK, contributing to national youth leadership and governance initiatives, and serves as a Senior Ambassador for the EU Ambassador College/School Programme.

With a foundation in leadership developed as a prefect and Student Governor at school in Sri Lanka, Simka has a strong commitment to inclusion and equitable representation. Her experience supporting peers with additional learning needs has shaped her approach to ensuring all students can access opportunities to thrive. Through her role as a Senior EU Ambassador, she helps to promote understanding of European issues, cross-cultural collaboration, and global citizenship among the student body.

In her capacity as Student Governor, Simka represents the interests of the student body in strategic decision-making processes, focusing on enhancing support structures and fostering a diverse, inclusive college community. She also leads the Muslim Community Club (2025/26), facilitating connection and development for students from all backgrounds. Simka serves on the Corporation’s Finance and Estates Committee – bringing a valuable student perspective to discussions on college resources, infrastructure investment, and financial planning that impacts the learning environment.

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