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Julie Acey, Chair of the Board of Governors
As the current Head of Strategy at RBS International, Julie Acey has a wealth of leadership and business experience after having spent the last 10 years of her career focussed on developing strategic options and driving stakeholder value.
Originally from rural Yorkshire, Julie was educated at the University of Hull and previously lived in London and Edinburgh before moving to Jersey in 2017.
In her current role at RBSI, Julie has spent a lot of time raising awareness of “purpose”. This has allowed her to cultivate a keen awareness of her own purpose and what she stands for, equipping her to bring a passionate interest in equality and diversity to the Board. Regardless of gender, sexuality, race, religion, aptitude, or education, Julie wants people to have ample opportunity to grow, to adventure, and to thrive.
Julie also has a BTEC National Diploma in Business Studies which she used to gain her place at university, qualify as an accountant, and have a successful corporate career. She therefore fully understands the benefit of vocational qualifications and wants to help change the outdated perception that exams are superior to vocational qualifications.
Paul Masterton
Paul brings an extensive business background to the Board having led large companies in Europe, America and the Far East. During his career he has successfully built and led management teams, with a focus on mentoring and development. Additionally, Paul served as CEO for the Durrell Conservation Wildlife Trust and was the founding Chairman for Digital Jersey, the island’s digital development agency.
A former chair of Highlands, Paul has a portfolio of non-executive directorships for listed companies and charities, while also acting as a coach and mentor for developing leaders.
Tina Palmer
Tina has more than 30 years working in the local recruitment industry and joined the Highlands College Board of Governors in October 2018.
Tina is passionate about skills across all ages and abilities and is ardent supporter of the college, which she believes does an amazing job.
A priority for Tina is to see a new campus, with state-of-the-art facilities, to allow Highlands College the opportunity to deliver more for Jersey.
Tina has spent most of her career in resourcing and is a Director of ASL Recruitment which offers recruitment services to candidates from school leavers to executive level.
Tina has first-hand knowledge of market trends, working conditions and professional development opportunities across the industry. Tina regularly gives careers advice and guidance to students on a one-to-one basis and delivers group workshops at local colleges and schools.
Tina is an experienced networker who, as a result, has a wide and diverse list of contacts both in Jersey and elsewhere.
John Pinel
John is an ex-Army Colonel having served for 25 years in both the Far East with the Gurkhas and Europe with British troops. He was an instructor at the Army Staff College and commanded 21 Engineer Regiment in Germany.
John left the Army in 1995 to take up the post of Chief Executive Officer of Jersey Post International Ltd for 14 years. He was then the Chief Executive of the Jersey Voluntary and Community Sector Ltd for six years.
He was the Commander of St John Ambulance Jersey from 2004-2019, Secretary of the Jersey Disability Partnership from 2013 to 2018 and has been a Trustee and Chairman of the Gurkha Welfare Trust Jersey since 2014. All of these were voluntary roles.
John has been an independent member of the Highlands College Governing Body since 2013. He is currently Chair of the Highlands Safeguarding Sub Committee and a member of the Sustainability Sub Committee.
David Elliott
David is a Non-Executive Director of Voisins Department Store (previously MD). He is also a Trustee Director for Selfridges and a consultant for a small group of independent department stores.
David has had a long career in retailing, particularly department stores, in the UK and Dublin these include Debenhams, Selfridges, Bentalls, and Arnott’s holding a variety of senior positions.
He came to Jersey to work in Voisins in 2007 and is passionate about encouraging retailing as a worthwhile career. During his time in Jersey, David has helped set up retail courses at Highlands College.
Rholo Mba
Rholo has worked within the financial services industry since 2012, predominately providing investment and wealth planning advice to private clients; trustees and corporates both internationally and locally. A graduate of The University of Liverpool, he started his career in the retail sector, before relocating and settling in Jersey.
He holds a Diploma from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments (CISI) and sits on the CISI Jersey Branch Committee, a volunteer role, setting standards of professional excellence and integrity for the financial services industry locally.
Rholo has a passion for education, and is an advocate for equality, using his position within the CISI committee to help develop and empower islanders to reach their full potential, supporting schools and other professional bodies in this endeavour.
Student Governors
The college caters to a wonderfully diverse body of students and so a Board of Governors that represents and reflects this diversity is essential.
With this in mind, three Student Governors for 2024-2025 will be announced soon.
Staff Governors
The Highlands College staff governors for 2024-2025 are:
Paul Spencer – Head of Computing: Paul is responsible for overseeing the provision of Information Technology and Digital Games Development courses at Highlands College.
Jessica Tidswell – Head of Marketing, Events and Communications: Jessica is responsible for marketing, events and communications for Highlands College and it’s sub- brands; Sixth Form College Jersey, University College Jersey, Highlands Professional, Adult and Community Education and the Highlands Foundation.