Senior Management Team

Ensuring our students are given every opportunity to succeed.

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Driving a new strategy of career-focused learning

Our Senior Management Team are driving a new strategy of career-focused learning at the College. Meaning we are focussing on getting all our students to their chosen career, whether that is when they leave us or after Higher Education. We want all our students to have the competitive advantage when they leave us which is why we have introduced Professional Development Days and College Companies into our curriculum which has been designed alongside Universities and Employers.

Meet the team

Dan Pearson

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

"I have worked in education for over 25 years, with the last decade of my experience being in senior leadership roles. I gained my Strategic Leadership qualification from the University of Oxford. I am passionate about immersive learning and using AR, VR, and XR platforms to transform educational content for learners. I pride myself on my creative and innovative approach to driving improvement in educational quality and outcomes. As a Chief Executive Officer, I believe that incorporating immersive learning technologies can greatly enhance the learning experience for students and help them better understand complex topics."

Clare White

Principal

"Having spent a number of years working within the London financial corporate world before I entered the education sector 20 years’ ago. I gained my Preparing for CEO qualification at the University of Oxford Business School in 2018. As Principal, I am looking forward driving the College forward. I will take a holistic approach to the student journey as Principal of USP College. My passion for the safeguarding and wellbeing of our students will remain at the forefront of my priorities as the Principal leading on from my previous role as strategic lead for Student Services, Human Resources, Continuous Professional Development (CPD), LRC, Careers & Work Experience and Marketing & Communications. Using my Project Management skills I ensure organisation and structure throughout the College.

Alongside my role at USP College I am also a member of the Palmer’s Trust."

Steven Hendy

Chief Finance Officer

"In my role as the Chief Finance Officer at USP College, I hold the accountability for overseeing the financial operations and real estate of the College. This encompasses not only efficient management but also the advancement of strategic financial objectives. With a comprehensive background spanning more than 25 years in the education sector, I am a duly certified Accountant and maintain active affiliation with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)."

Cherie Brightwell

Vice Principal, Technical & Professional

"I am proud to have worked in the further educational sector for over 25 years, and I have dedicated my professional career to raising the aspirations and opportunities through education for the communities of young people and adults in the Essex area. I am pleased to have joined USP College in 2024 as the Vice Principal of technical and professional provision. I have been a leader and manager since 2014 and I gained my teaching degree at ARU, alongside my CMI 2010.

My role will be to lead and work closely with curriculum directors and managers, to strategically steer and shape our curriculum design, which is career-focused, reactive to local and national skills needs whilst ensuring a creative and innovative approach.

My goal, passion and drive will also be to ensure everyone is able to access education, regardless of their starting point, background, or goals in life, this lies at the forefront of my approach at USP College."

Chris Murgatroyd

Vice Principal, Academic

"With 18 years of experience in education spanning further and secondary settings, I've utilised my scientific expertise as a published HIV research scientist to complement my pedagogical skills as a biology teacher, culminating in leadership roles in STEM subjects and as a Head of Sixth Form. Returning to USP College as Vice Principal for academic subjects in 2024, my focus remains on fostering academic excellence combined with the development of learner’s readiness for their exciting career pathways.

Alongside a passionate academic team at USP, we are committed to providing learners with a dynamic learning environment. Our goal is to instil in students the essential habits of self-regulation, self-awareness, and reflection, equipping them not only for academic success but also for cultural and personal development in an increasingly competitive landscape."

James Parker

Vice Principal Quality, Performance and Innovation

"After a successful career as a research scientist in industry, I decided to bring my passion for innovation and critical thinking to the education sector. For the past decade at USP College, I have valued the opportunity to inspire the next generation of scientists as a science teacher and Head of the STEM Department.

In my current role as Assistant Principal of Quality, Performance and Innovation, I work closely with colleges nationwide to pioneer new techniques that harness technology to enrich learning. My focus areas include increasing student engagement through immersive simulations and interactive platforms, improving accessibility and inclusion with adaptive solutions, and optimising remote instruction. Alongside launching new teaching initiatives, I enjoy sharing best practice and sparking enthusiasm for experimentation across institutions.

My goal is to collaboratively transform education through human-centered, evidence-based applications of technology that empower students to thrive in the 21st century. I am excited to continue this important work and help USP to lead the UK’s colleges into the digital future."

Scott Bowak

Executive Director of Information Systems and Funding

"Having worked in Further Education for over 13 years I was appointed Executive Director of Information Systems and Funding in 2022. In my role I provide strategic direction on the use of information, guiding best practice across the College with an emphasis on on enhancing efficiency and productivity. Collaborating closely with colleagues, I strive to optimise the College's funding resources for the benefit of our students. My professional credentials include a Level 5 ILM Leadership and Management qualification, complemented by an extensive background in leading the functions of Management Information Systems, IT Services, Examinations, and Admissions."

James McInroy

Executive Director Estates Operations

"I joined USP College in October 2023 as the Executive Director - Estate Operations. My role is to oversee the Estates & Facilities Team, College Health and Safety, our supporting services, and the effective allocation of Estates resources to meet the college’s strategic goals. As a member of the Senior Management Team, I play a central role in shaping the strategic vision for the college's estates, ensuring they meet stringent health and safety requirements, college standards, and are fit for purpose today, and for the future.

Over the past 20 years working in Property, Estates, and Project Management, I've had the opportunity to work in many different fields across Corporate, Charity, Healthcare and Education. I thrive in high-pressure environments, and I've been lucky to be a part of many exciting projects over the years. I look forward to being a part of shaping the exciting future of the College."

Lorraine Stoten

Director of HR

"With almost 30 years of extensive experience, I am a CIPD qualified HR professional. Throughout my career I have worked with a number of international businesses, including professional services/consultancy, recruitment/sales, motorsport and the FMCG sector, managing teams in Europe, India, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and the US.

I joined USP College in early 2019 and was appointed Director of HR in November 2021, with full responsibility for HR and recruitment.

I also have additional qualifications, including an MA in HR Management, PG Diploma in HR Management and a PG Certificate in Leadership and Development awarded by the Lord Ashcroft Business School, Anglia Ruskin University. I have also completed Safeguarding and Child Protection for Designated Safeguarding Leads training and am an active member of the Association of College's (AoC) HR Professionals Network."

Jon Strutt

Director of Finance

I joined USP College in 2024 as Director of Finance, overseeing the Finance and Payroll Team. I am responsible for the college’s finances, ensuring financial stability and solvency. I produce the monthly management accounts, the annual statutory accounts, and the budget, as well as liaising with the internal and external auditors.

I am a qualified FCA Chartered Accountant, having gained my qualification at a local accountancy practice. I then moved into industry 10 years ago working as a Financial Controller at a number of local businesses before joining USP College as Director of Finance.