Colin Thomas Director

Colin Thomas has held a variety of posts in the education service in Wales spanning schools, further and community education, staff development and training, and education management in two large LEAs. He joined the fledgling Governors Wales in 1995 as its Professional Support Officer and was appointed as its first full-time Director in 2000. In his current role, Colin is responsible for the funding, development, strategic planning, programme management and evaluation of Governors Wales’ services. He has particular interests in staff development and governor training and promotes the wider community role of schools at every opportunity.

Jane Morris Acting Director/Support Services Co-ordinator

Jane is an honours graduate of the University of Wales. Before joining Governors Wales, Jane’s career has been mainly in education, having taught in three secondary schools in South Wales. She has held posts ranging from classroom teacher to Head of department.

As a Chair of governors at a Special school and a governor at a Primary school, she is well aware of the responsibilities that governors undertake but enjoys the challenge and the rewards that this voluntary effort brings.

Jane is currently the Support Services Co-ordinator for Governors Wales. This involves giving advice and guidance to school governors on their role and legal responsibilities as well as researching issues of contemporary relevance and concern to governing bodies.

Email: jmorris@governorswales.org.uk

Ray Wells Development Officer North

Ray has served over 30 years with Corus in various management roles with a wide range of expertise in the management of Human Resources. He also has a specialist knowledge of the application of the EFQM Excellence Model within an education environment in areas such as strategic planning and leadership. He has been a senior assessor for the EFQM European Excellence Award and the Wales Quality Award for several years and also been an Investors in People Recognition Panel member for Wales since 1997

Ray has over ten years experience serving as a governor at a college and Secondary School in North Wales.

Email: rwwells@fsmail.net

Mike Barker Development Officer South

Mike Barker commenced work as Governors Wales Development Officer in April 2007.

Prior to his appointment Mike was Director of Education and Children’s Services in Powys (1992–2005). He is a past Chairman of the Association of Directors of Education in Wales and adviser to the Welsh Local Government Association.

Having spent more than 30 years in the public education service Mike brings a wealth of experience to his new role, he also has a specific interest and expertise in school and local government funding and was the architect of the governor support, training and consultation strategy in Powys.

Email: mbarker@governorswales.org.uk

Françoise Stephens Office Manager

A native of Tours in France, Françoise Stephens has now worked for Governors Wales for over 10 years. She has learnt Welsh for two years. In addition to clerical and IT skills, she has a BA in English from the Académie d’Orléans-Tours, and also a French post-graduate teaching certificate.

Email: fstephens@governorswales.org.uk

Samantha MacNamara Assistant Support Services Co-ordinator

Sam joined Governors Wales in November 2002.

Her previous postions include Courses Co-ordinator at the University of Wales College of Medicine and accounts assistant at a large security firm in South Wales.

Sam gained an HND in Business from Glamorgan University in June 2002 and has recently been awarded a Diploma in Public Relations.

Sam is learning Welsh and has just completed the Cwrs Wlpan and will study the Cwrs Pellach during 2008–2009.

Email: smacnamara@governorswales.org.uk