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 was appointed to the Corporation from 1st January 2023.
Paul is the founder of The Professor-AI, a consultancy that helps businesses and professionals adopt AI safely, responsibly and effectively. His work focuses on practical AI governance, fact-checking and building confidence in AI tools without the hype. He provides consulting, training and coaching to organisations looking to get real value from AI while managing its risks.
Paul is Emeritus Professor of AI and Innovation at Coventry University, where he previously served for ten years as Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Enterprise and Innovation. Before that, he had a distinguished career with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, focused on developing the economic prosperity of the UK. He went on to serve as Regional Director of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) West Midlands, supporting local businesses to grow their export markets and attracting inward investment to the region.
Paul is a champion of devolution and continues to work collaboratively with partners across the West Midlands to drive growth and prosperity in the region. Paul serves on the Corporation’s Standards Committee, Finance & Estates Committee, Search Committee and Remuneration 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.
Liz Sithole
Liz was appointed to the Corporation in November 2019. Liz is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) and currently works as a Financial Accounting and Reporting Manager for a leading IT services and solutions provider. She has extensive experience in financial reporting, audit, corporate governance, financial control and finance transformation programmes. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University and has previously worked across a range of finance and assurance roles. She serves on the Corporation’s Audit Committee.
Sarah Wood
Sarah was appointed to the Corporation in November 2023. Sarah is Head of Cleaning and Waste Services for the University of Birmingham, having previously worked at Worcester City Council and Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council. She has extensive experience of working in collaboration with other individuals and teams to achieve the best for service users, residents and students. She is a member of the Executive Management of BACHE (British Association of Cleaning in Higher Education). Sarah serves on the Corporation’s Finance & Estates 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.
Louise Jones
The Chief Finance Officer (CFO) will support the Chief Executive and Principal and other senior post holders and the Corporation by developing and providing pro-active leadership on financial strategy and control and human, capital and physical resource development. The Chief Finance Officer will ensure the college’s financial objectives are achieved working across the college to drive financial and business excellence. The Chief Finance Officer will provide effective support to the Chief Executive and Principal in the control, review, management and development of the college’s business planning and risk management systems. The Chief Finance Officer will also manage the college’s Finance, Capital Projects & Estates and Information Technology teams to deliver a high-quality customer experience. This will include leading on all college financial, commercial and legal matters, embracing elements of employer partnerships and providing commercial finance advice and guidance into large-scale capital projects. Working alongside the Corporation, Chief Executive and Principal, Chief Officers and senior colleagues, the Chief Finance Officer will play a pivotal role in the determination and oversight of the strategic development of Dudley College of Technology, its subsidiaries and associated organisations. The Chief Operating Officer will support the Chief Executive and Principal in developing and maintaining productive relationships with all key stakeholders.
Claire Millard
Working closely with the CEO/Principal and Vice Principal – Curriculum and Performance, the Vice Principal – Curriculum and Quality will ensure the development and delivery of high-quality provision across all provision types. The Vice Principal will provide effective line management to a team of Assistant Principals – Curriculum and Standards to ensure the curriculum offer is responsive and meeting local, regional and national skills needs.
The Vice Principal will foster a culture of innovation and high standards in teaching, learning and assessment across the College through the effective line management of the Assistant Principal Quality. Working closely with senior colleagues the Vice Principal will foster a culture of respect, tolerance, inclusion and exemplary behaviour across the whole College.
The Vice Principal – Curriculum and Quality is a senior post for the purposes of the Instruments and Articles of Governance. As with all Senior Post Holders they will be expected to deputise for the CEO and Principal as and when required.
Rachel Corns
Working closely with the CEO/Principal and Vice Principal – Curriculum and Quality, the Vice Principal – Curriculum and Performance will ensure the development and delivery of high-quality provision across all provision types. The Vice Principal will provide effective line management to a team of Assistant Principals – Curriculum and Standards to ensure the curriculum offer is responsive and meeting local, regional and national skills needs.
The Vice Principal will drive the development and implementation of high-quality management information and reporting systems through the line management of the Director of MIS and Data. Working closely with senior colleagues the Vice Principal will foster a culture of respect, tolerance, inclusion and exemplary behaviour across the whole College.
The Vice Principal – Curriculum and Performance is a senior post for the purposes of the Instruments and Articles of Governance. As with all Senior Post Holders they will be expected to deputise for the CEO and Principal as and when required.