Audit Committee

Neil Kaiper-Holmes

Chair of the Audit Committee

Date Appointed: 11/12/2019

View Profile

Neil is a multi-skilled doctor and businessman with a record of managing diverse businesses in the health and communications sectors. He also has had an interest in a beef and dairy farm in Estonia! He is an experienced Chairman of both business and not-for profit organisations and a respected communicator with wide media experience. As a founder of a private primary school, a previous Adviser to NCP and a former Governor at Tadcaster Grammar School whose wife has wide experience in the HE/University sector, he has a keen interest in, and knowledge of, education in the UK. He is Vice-Chair of his Parish Council and is very involved with Charitable work, being Chair of the Thackray Museum of Medicine, past Chair and current Trustee of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation and a lover of all sports. He has 4 daughters and 7 grandchildren, and his youngest daughter was a student at NCP.

Mark Jefferies

Audit Committee Member and NCP Advisory Group

Date Appointed: 11/12/2019

View Profile

I am most enthused by: development projects, resources and change management. I feel I am most valuable when 4 dimensional thinking is required. If you want 5 options then I can assist, and I am not offended when someone else’s 6th idea wins the day – I will fully support it. In the early 90’s I worked for a PLC and gained an understanding of collaborative working and the importance of gathering support for a decision. In 1997 I started my own business and enjoyed the bureaucracy free life of a small organisation. I feel I can share the benefits from both sides of the divide. For 24 years I have enjoyed supporting my children through sport and education – in that order. Our daughter Zoe gained her Masters in Marketing at Loughborough, works for an international marketing agency in London and is a tennis coach. Our son Max (who studied at NCP) is now studying sport at Loughborough is a high level tennis player and loves football. I have been a Rotarian for 19 years and love getting involved at the ideas, financing and delivery stage of a project. Later this year I become President. I am passionate about linking the College, the students and the Rotary Club. I have been a Governor at an infant school in South Kirkby for 6 years but I am no educationalist. However, I am supportive and like to help all children live a good life. I am an innovator and love to help on projects, project appraisal, PR, resources and HR. I was recently awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship for the charity work I have done in the community. As I “lose” my parental responsibilities I hope to give more time and resource to charitable work. Especially Home Start. A charity my wife and I enjoy supporting in many ways.

Ashley Reed

Member of the Audit Committee

Date Appointed: 10/02/2021

View Profile

Ashley has a knowledge of a full range of accountancy procedures ranging from simple record keeping to preparation and submission of final accounts and personal and business taxation. He also assists businesses with planning and development from start up to large expansion projects. He has gained experience in all aspects of business management and has the adaptability, creative thinking and the application of technology that are now intrinsic to managing businesses. As a previous Director of a commercial enterprise he is used to dealing with all aspects cost, financial and audit accounting. Quality and environment assurance were also managed and monitored during this period of time.

Patricia Bryn-Jones

Member of the Audit Committee

Date Appointed: 05/07/2021

View Profile

Having two children within the education system, one at New College Doncaster, I feel it is important to understand the system and utilise my knowledge and skills to support their education and others in any way that I can. Following my early retirement, I was able to channel my experience and interest by joining the governing board at a local academy where I utilised my financial experience to assist and support the Executive Principal in managing the budget effectively. I have extensive management experience at a strategic level and am able to utilise that knowledge within the public sector to support the academy ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction. Also to hold the Trust account for the educational performance and performance management of staff. Prior to this, I volunteered in the local primary where my daughter attended to help less able students with their reading ability.

Simon Knee

Member of the Audit Committee

Date Stepped Down: 31/10/2022

View Profile

Simon is a director and shareholder of a financial services business based in the Pontefract area. Although initially Simon joined the company to build the accountancy practice it has subsequently evolved, and he now controls all areas of the business which incorporates Accountancy, Financial Services and Management Consultancy. Simon has gained experience in all aspects of business management and has the adaptability, creative thinking and the application of technology that are now intrinsic to modern day companies. Over the years Simon has helped develop and transform many businesses from starting up, to growing and successful firms and he has helped the owners in fulling their ambitions of running their own, successful enterprise. In addition to this he is also actively involved in the community and a member of the committee for both a local tennis club and girls’ football club. As part of the tennis committee he has managed to significantly expand the club which has been nationally recognised as one of the fastest growing and most successful in the UK. Simon has two daughters who attend local schools and so he has the drive and ambition to ensure the college continues to move forward and provide a bright future for the young people of the local area.

New Collaborative Learning Trust New College Pontefract Logo New College Doncaster Logo New College Bradford Logo Wingfield Academy Anston Greenlands Primary School Redscope Primary School Thorpe Hesley Primary School
TES logo
Disability Confident Employment Leader
Physical Eduation Quality Mark
TASS Dual Career Accredited
SCL Sports Leaders Logo
Leaders in Diversity Logo