Board of Management News

"I am delighted to welcome several new members to our Ayrshire College Board of Management for AY 26-27.

Student President Demi Brown and Student Vice President Natalie Bestwick will both be supporting our Board of Management, plus the Learning, Teaching & Quality Committee (LTQC). In addition, Demi will support the People, Infrastructure & Finance Committee (PIFCo), and Natalie will support the Audit & Risk Committee.

There are three new Non-Executive Directors David Hammond, Hilary Rodgers and Nina Blakey who will all be supporting our Board of Management plus various Board Standing Committees between them.

This year we are also very grateful to be joined by two new Ayrshire College Board Committee Co-opted Members, Lisa Duncan who will support the Audit & Risk Committee, and Aidan McIntyre who will support the Learning, Teaching & Quality Committee.

These new appointments to the Board of Management bring new diverse skills and experience that complement our existing Board members’, helping ensure our continued effectiveness in providing strategic leadership, direction, support and guidance to the College. 

To find out more about each of our Members supporting the Board of Management currently , please check out their profiles on our website: Meet the Board Members | Ayrshire College"

Regards

Sharon Morrow, Interim Chair of the Board of Management

Ayrshire College Board of Management is helping shape the future of skills by looking at sector reform and new opportunities in offshore wind.

Ayrshire College is looking ahead as it responds to sector reform and growing demand for skills in renewable energy. At a Strategy session in April, the Board of Management explored what these changes could mean for the College, the region and future priorities.

Gavin Donoghue, Chief Executive of Colleges Scotland, joined the session to share insight into national priorities, sector challenges and the value of working together across the college sector.

Carol Kane, Regional Liasion South-West Scotland of Vattenfall Wind Power also joined the Strategy session. She highlighted Ayrshire’s clean growth potential and the College’s long-standing support for renewable energy through apprenticeships and upskilling.

Board members noted the new agreement with Energy Innovation to strengthen skills, training and education for the offshore wind sector. Through the partnership, Ayrshire College and Energy Innovation will create training pathways for wind technicians, including GWO-accredited training.

The organisations will also set up the Scottish Wind Technician Education Centre (SWiTEC) at Ayrshire College, with initial delivery expected to begin in quarter two of 2026. The work supports Scotland’s Offshore Wind Skills Priorities and Action Plan and marks an important step in building the skills needed for the future of the sector.

Our Board members are offered several development sessions each year to enhance their skills and to provide team building opportunities out with formal Board meetings.

On February 24, 2025, Ayrshire College hosted a Board Development Session at the Kilmarnock Campus, aimed at empowering board members with essential skills to navigate. and resolve conflicts effectively. The session, facilitated by Scottish Mediation, provided valuable insights and practical tools to enhance conflict resolution capabilities, and was a valuable opportunity for board members. to enhance their conflict management skills and contribute to a positive and collaborative strategic environment. The event also allowed Board members to network, as although hosted by Ayrshire College, the session also included West College Board members.

The session was structured to cover various aspects of conflict management, including identifying issues, understanding the impact of conflict, and exploring effective communication techniques.

A tailored case study was used throughout the workshop to provide practical examples and facilitate discussions. Participants engaged in exercises to apply the concepts learned and develop their conflict resolution skills. Key topics covered included Understanding Conflict; Bias Theory;  Amygdala Hijack; Active Listening and Reframing: Positions, Interests, and Needs: and Exploring Options and Reaching Agreement.

The session concluded with an overview of the event and information on accessing mediation services. The session highlighted the benefits of mediation, including its confidentiality, unbiased nature, and voluntary participation.
 
Mediation encourages early resolution of disagreements, reduces stress, and fosters ongoing relationships. For those interested in mediation, Scottish Mediation offers resources and support. More information can be found on their website or by contacting their helpline: www.scottishmediation.org.uk