Staff Governor
Having accrued many years teaching and curriculum management experience. Graham has recently transferred from an academic to business support leadership role and is applying his knowledge and experience of the FE sector in the role of Head of MIS and Funding. Graham is an experienced college Governor. Prior to being appointed as Staff Governor to the RHACC Board of Governors in 2017, Graham was Staff Governor on the Hillcroft College Board (2016-2017),
Graham is pleased to have been closely linked to RHACC since he first enrolled on a study programme in 1995 (thirty years ago!). In this time, he has experienced the college from the perspective of learner, employee and a governor.
Originally Graham was approached by colleagues who asked if I would consider the staff Governor role. He soon came to fully appreciate the importance of effective governance and to appreciate the contributions and dedication of the independent governors who lend their time and expertise to ensure RHACC is governed ethically and effectively. Graham’s approach to the role of Staff Governor is to make positive contributions that both support and challenge whilst having the best interests of the college at heart.
Graham is currently a member of the Finance & Resources Committee.
Sharon was appointed to the Board in May 2020.
Sharon is an Economist and Behavioural Scientist. She is currently undertaking doctoral research in applied economic psychology at the London School of Economics (LSE). She is also a Fellow of Advance HE and teaches in LSE’s Department of Management. Prior to her return to academia, Sharon spent her career working in banking and finance, initially as an economist within UK and international banks, and later in various senior management roles across regulatory affairs, compliance, policy and operational functions at a leading credit rating agency. She was previously on the board of Citizens Advice Richmond and was a member of the Trustee Development Group for the Citizens Advice national network.
Sharon has taken classes at RHACC in mindfulness, art and massage. She been a participant in the Bank of England Citizens Panel for Greater London for several years, and was a volunteer for FiSH, a neighbourhood care organisation operating in East Sheen, Barnes and Mortlake, from 2020-2022.
Sharon’s commitment to RHACC’s mission stems from her belief that the provision of lifelong learning opportunities has a key role to play in closing opportunity gaps and boosting wellbeing.
Sharon has been Chair of the Board since July 2023. She is also Chair of the Search & Governance Committee.
Claire’s keen interest in education was realised following a mid-career change in direction. After twenty-five years in the investment management industry, where she held board level positions at Gartmore Investment Management and Jupiter Asset Management, she resumed academic study and was subsequently offered teaching roles at Roehampton Business School and latterly the role of Fellow at the London School of Economics. A long time Richmond resident, Claire was Chair of Governors at The Vineyard School and has volunteered with the Citizens Advice team in Sheen. She is currently a Trustee of RPLC. A firm believer in the transformative potential of lifelong learning, Claire was appointed to the Board in March 2022.
John was appointed to the Board in March 2022
John’ s professional career was spent in the IT and commercial sectors of a global oil and gas company, primarily working in project and change management roles. For almost twenty years he was an active governor at a local secondary school where his positions included Vice-chair of the Board, Chair of the Student and Community Committee and Chair of the Governance Panel.
As a learner at the college, studying in the School of Ideas and the Art School, John is regularly on site. He is also a volunteer consultant for the Cranfield Trust, which provides consultancy and management support to charities in the UK.
After seeing first-hand the provision available and the communities supported at RHACC, John wanted to become more involved and so applied to join the Board.
Joh is currently Chair of Quality and Standards Committee and a member of Search and Governance Committee.
Manoj was appointed as Staff Governor in June 2025.
Manoj is currently employed at RHACC as Head of Business, Digital and Creative Technology. He has extensive leadership experience in leading and delivering business, digital and creative technology education and is experienced in curriculum planning, staff development, strategic oversight, and governance processes.
Manoj aims to represent the interests and voices of college staff effectively at a strategic level, to contribute to the governance and strategic planning of RHACC, ensuring decisions reflect staff needs while supporting the college’s mission to deliver high-quality education and lifelong learning opportunities and to bring professional expertise and experience in education, digital, and community engagement to support the college’s growth and impact.
Manoj is a member of the Finance and Resources Committee.
Matthew is a Chartered Architect. He has worked in the construction industry for 20 years in a variety of sectors and roles. This has included working on major infrastructure projects and supporting clients with refurbishment and construction delivery as part of wider investment schemes. He has lived in Kingston for over 10 years and has been supporting the college as an independent advisor since 2018.
Tarloff has been working in the Higher Education sector for over twenty years, he is an Associate Fellow (AFHEA) and Associate Member of the Association for Learning Technology. He has worked for various universities and continuing adult learning colleges in the UK and Hong Kong, including the University of Oxford, City University of Hong Kong, HKUSPACE – The University of Hong Kong, and CUSCS – The Chinese University of Hong Kong. His different roles have involved teaching and learning support, digital education development, media production, programme management and quality assurance.
After he graduated from Engineering Physics, he attained two master's degrees related to IT and new media, a PgDip in Education and a Doctoral degree in Applied Language Sciences.
His latest research interest is using new technology to enhance teaching and learning, he was appointed to the Board in October 2023. Tarloff is the Lead Governor for Stakeholder Engagement.
Elaine has led Access, Distance Learning and undergraduate Degree level provision for adult students in a variety of university, community and college contexts in London and other regions of the UK.
At Birkbeck University of London, Elaine developed and led an extensive university and community-based education programme designed to facilitate mature students’ entry to and inclusion in higher education. She built award-winning partnerships with other learning providers across London and also led the university’s Academic Professional Staff Development programme for six years.
Elaine was formerly an Assistant Dean for Education, seconded to the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Postgraduate Medical Education Deanery from the University of London. She has also held a long-standing educational advisory role with the General Medical Council.
Elaine holds a PhD from the University of London Institute of Education and she is also a fully trained CELTA teacher. She has written/ contributed to academic articles on different aspects of learning and teaching and continues to write on educational issues.
Elaine joined the Board in October 2023 and is a member of Quality and Standards Committee and the Lead Governor for Safeguarding.
Rob was appointed to the Board in July 2024.
Rob is a CIPD qualified Learning and Development specialist and CIMA qualified management accountant. He spent a forty-year career in the financial and services sectors, Initially as a Management Accountant before a career change led to developing deep skills as a Learning and Development Manager across a range of technical, operational and management disciplines.
Rob has lived in the borough for over 25 years. He is a strong advocate for lifelong learning to foster career development and personal wellbeing. He is waiting for retirement to commence studies at RHACC but currently regularly participates and volunteers at the Old Deer Park parkrun.
Rob became a governor to understand and participate in adult public education offerings and administration and to learn more about the role of governance in education institutions
Rob is currently Chair of Audit Committee, a member of Search and Governance Committee and the Lead Governor for Health and Safety Improvement.
Sue became a Governor in July 2024. She is a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Tax Adviser. Sue originally worked in the energy sector but after a period of living abroad she started working in the not for profit sector. This has included FD roles at a school and latterly at a large charitable Trust.
Sue lives locally in East Sheen and since she has retired has undertaken various further education opportunities including at the College. In addition, she has served as a Trustee at both local and international charities.
Sue is Chair of Finance and Resources Committee and a member of Search and Governance Committee.
