Stephen Barnes

As well as being Chair of the Nelson and Colne College Group, Stephen is also the Chair and North West member of the AOC Governors’ Council, and a member of the AOC Board.

Stephen has over 20 years of experience in local government – previously being Chief Executive of Pendle Borough Council until 2015, after being Director of Finance and Treasurer at the Council. Stephen is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). He has acted as an Advisor to the Local Government Association (LGA), and as well as being our College Group Chair, Stephen is currently a non-Executive Director of East Lancashire NHS Hospitals Trust and Chair of the Nelson Town Deal Board.