Two new trustees join the ETF Board

The Education and Training Foundation (ETF), the expert body for professional development and standards in Further Education (FE) and Training in England, has appointed two new trustees to its Board.

Following an open recruitment process, Sam Parrett and Gerry McDonald will serve for a period of three years, renewable for a further three years.

Sam and Gerry bring significant expertise to ETF’s Board. Further details of the Board can be found on the Board pages of the ETF website.

Sam Parrett

Dr Sam Parrett CBE is an experienced Principal and CEO of London & South East Education Group, leading a successful multi-campus further and higher education college and a multi-academy trust.

Sam was awarded a CBE for Services to Education in 2021, reflecting her dedication to improving provision for all. Sam holds a PhD in FE Policy Analysis and currently sits on the Board of the Association of Colleges and is an elected member of the CBI London Council. She is a fellow of the CIPD, RSA and the Chartered Institution of Further Education.

Gerry McDonald

Gerry became Principal of Tower Hamlets College in April 2013 and became Group Principal and CEO of the combined New City College in April 2017. He is a qualified business studies teacher who has worked in the sector since 1993. Gerry has worked in sixth form and further education colleges in Birmingham and London, leading on business development, mergers, curriculum improvement, inspection and culture change.

Gerry is a co-opted committee member of Association of Colleges London and also serves on the AoC’s National Employment and Audit Committees. Gerry is also Vice Chair of The Switch (previously known as TowerHamlets Educational Business Partnership), and chair of their Finance Committee, as well as a member of the GLA’s Skills for Londoners board.

David Russell, Chief Executive at the Education and Training Foundation, said:

“I am very proud that the ETF has attracted two such respected senior leaders from the FE world as Sam and Gerry. They will both bring a fantastic balance of insight and experience to our board, as well as helping to make sure we always stay well connected to the biggest challenges facing the FE sector today and in the future. I look forward to working closely with them.”

Peter Latchford, Chair of the Education and Training Foundation, said:

“We are very lucky to have Sam and Gerry join the ETF’s board. They are high calibre and experienced individuals, who will bring insight and wisdom to our work in support of further education and training at this crucial time.  We very much look forward to working with them.”

On his appointment to the ETF Board of Trustees, Gerry McDonald said:

“I am delighted to be joining the ETF Board as a trustee. ETF is a well-led and well-respected part of the further education landscape. The ever-changing environment in which colleges operate needs a strong sector improvement organisation that challenges us all to do better. I hope that I can play my part in ETF’s development by providing the voice of a current sector leader and articulating the challenges and opportunities that we all continue to face. I look forward to working with the Board in the next stages of ETF’s evolution.”

On her appointment, Sam Parrett said:

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to support the ETF, having been appointed as a Trustee. The work of this organisation is fundamental to the future of our sector – particularly in terms of securing a diverse and sustainable workforce. Many of my own staff have benefited from ETF training programmes, and such provision is a hugely important dimension as we face growing recruitment and retention challenges. I look forward to being a part of the ETF’s important mission, within a sector I value immensely.”

For details of all of the ETF trustees and structure, visit the ETF’s Governance page.