Having served Milton Keynes College Group for more than 25 years, Sally Alexander MBE became Chief Executive Officer and Group Principal in October 2022. During her career with the College Group, she has held a range of leadership roles spanning prison education, adult and community learning, and provision for young people at risk of becoming Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).

A passionate advocate for the transformative power of education, Sally has dedicated her career to creating opportunities for people and communities facing barriers to achievement. Prior to becoming CEO, she led the College Group’s prison education provision, becoming a nationally recognised leader in the field and championing the role education can play in rehabilitation, progression and social mobility.

As CEO, Sally has led the continued growth and development of Milton Keynes College Group, strengthening partnerships with employers, community organisations and civic leaders to ensure education remains closely aligned with the needs of learners, employers and the wider community. Guided by the College Group’s commitment to Fairer Futures for All, she is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities that enable individuals, businesses and communities to thrive.

Under Sally’s leadership, the College Group has expanded its impact across the region and beyond, securing recognition as one of the Government’s Digital and Technologies Technical Excellence Colleges (DigiTEC), achieving White Ribbon Accreditation, and continuing to deliver high-quality education that changes lives. Building on the College Group’s long-standing leadership in prison education, she has also championed work that creates opportunities for learners in both custody and the community, helping individuals develop the skills, confidence and aspirations needed to progress. Sally has further strengthened the College Group’s role as a civic anchor through initiatives including the annual College in the Community Day and the development of The Key, a specialist provision supporting young people at risk of becoming NEET.

In June 2026, Sally was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List for services to Further Education, recognising her longstanding contribution to education, opportunity and social mobility.

As Chief Operating Officer of the Milton Keynes College Group since February 2023, Jason is responsible for developing and operationalising strategy, as well as reviewing processes and systems to ensure the successful delivery of this strategy. He began his career with the Group in 1998 as a lecturer at HMP Bullingdon and has since held a variety of roles across both the prison and campus sectors of the Group, transferring to the Milton Keynes campus in 2022.

Passionate about driving continuous improvement, Jason is a strong advocate for creating the conditions necessary for effective professional development. Throughout his career at the College Group, Jason has benefited from numerous development opportunities, which he believes have fostered a deep sense of belonging and made his work more fulfilling. With a strong belief in the importance of a motivated and dedicated staff, he is dedicated to supporting the professional development of our staff. With a team-oriented approach, Jason is committed to making the College Group the best it can be and to exploring how the team can work together most effectively to achieve this.

Cat joined Milton Keynes College Group as Executive Principal in March 2026, bringing with her a wealth of experience as a visionary leader in the Further Education sector. Passionate about the transformative power of education, Cat is committed to delivering high-quality learning that makes a real and lasting difference to the students and communities of Milton Keynes and beyond.

Prior to joining MKCG, Cat served as Group Director of Strategy and Innovation at Activate Learning, one of the largest and most complex FE groups in the country, where she led the development and delivery of the Group’s five-year strategic plan, driving innovation and positioning the organisation for sustainable growth. Earlier in her career at Activate Learning, Cat served as Group Director of Quality, responsible for the culture and performance of over 2,500 staff, redesigning the Group’s approach to quality and establishing a new Quality and Consistency function built around integrated networks of subject specialists. She also led the Creative Industries faculty, fostering a culture of high aspiration and exceptional teaching and learning that delivered above national average achievement rates — a standard that has been maintained ever since.

A skilled collaborator and relationship-builder, Cat has worked with a diverse range of employers, community organisations and civic partners to respond to local and national skills needs. Cat has championed partnerships with employers, civic organisations and charities to ensure education creates genuine pathways to opportunity for all — believing firmly that colleges have a vital role to play at the heart of their communities.

Cat is a firm believer in servant leadership, creating environments where people feel trusted, valued and empowered to innovate. She is deeply committed to developing talent at all levels and to building teams with the right capability, diversity and ambition to unlock every student’s potential.

Outside of work, Cat loves travelling and enjoying good food with family and friends.

As an Executive Director for People Services and Marketing, Sharon ensures that people, development and fairness remain at the heart of decision-making.

An experienced Global People Director and Executive Board Member with over 30 years’ experience across education, health-science communications and people-focused service sectors, Sharon is passionate about creating environments where individuals feel valued, supported and able to reach their full potential. Sharon’s experience in growth and agile organisations means she recognises the need to invest in our people at the same pace.

Sharon has led major cultural and organisational transformations in the UK and internationally, always with a focus on developing talent, strengthening leadership and building inclusive, high-trust communities. She is keen to focus on enhancing joint purpose and values across the College Group.

In her spare time, Sharon’s hobbies include going to the gym, swimming, Pilates, netball, running and walking her Tibetan Terrier Ruby.

Having previously worked in the financial services sector in people resourcing, Jules began her career in Further Education in 2007 as a Lecturer teaching English, Media A Levels, and GCSEs. In 2010, she joined College Group as a part-time Lecturer, and then rejoined in 2014 as Course Team Leader for Creative Media & Games. Jules then transitioned into People Services, where she has since held a range of roles, including People Engagement & Talent Manager, People Services Manager for Operations, Executive Head of People Services, and, since February 2024, Group Director.

Deeply passionate about people leadership, Jules is committed to fostering engagement, driving talent retention, and leveraging technology to enhance the educational experience and positively impact the lives of all our learners. In her spare time, Julie enjoys gardening, from growing fruit and veg to working on her flower garden.

Amy brings 20 years of experience in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and safeguarding to her role as Group Director of Inclusion and Designated Safeguarding Lead. Passionate about our Building Fairer Futures strategy, she oversees the teams dedicated to ensuring our students receive the active support they need and that our provision remains accessible and inclusive. A qualified SENCO, Amy holds a master’s degree in Sociological Research, with a focus on anti-social behaviour and harm reduction. She works closely with external stakeholders and partners to ensure our college’s work meets the needs of the communities we serve.

In her role as Senior Mental Health Lead, Amy understands the challenges students face in relation to their emotional wellbeing and how this can impact their learning. The college-wide teams take a proactive, responsive approach, working collaboratively across the city to provide meaningful learning experiences for all.

Currently the Group Director for Curriculum Innovation and Pedagogy at the College Group, Maria line manages the Heads of Schools, supports curriculum development, and focuses on enhancing the student experience in the classroom. With an extensive career history in Further Education, including a long tenure at MK College Group, Maria has previously served as the Deputy Director of Faculty, Executive Head for 16-19 Provision, and Head of School for Hairdressing, Barbering, Beauty Therapy, Catering, Hospitality and Motor Vehicle.

A graduate of the London College of Fashion, Maria spent much of her time immersed in hands-on learning – an experience she has since sought to replicate in her work in FE. As a passionate advocate for experiential learning, she has championed and led initiatives such as the collaboration with Silverstone, where Motor Vehicle and Hospitality students work at the racing circuit on a biweekly basis.

Passionate about providing opportunities for young people to find their passion, Maria is committed to removing educational barriers and making education a positive experience, where students feel seen and understood. She believes in the power of education to transform lives, providing young people with opportunities to discover their passion and truly enjoy learning, while feeling seen, understood, and empowered to succeed.

Kaye has been with Milton Keynes College Group for over 20 years, during which she has held various roles that have deepened her understanding of both the organisation and the field of Further Education. Her experience includes teaching and assessing in curriculum development, managing community projects, and leading the Business Development and Professional Qualifications teams.

In 2019, Kaye took on the responsibility for the College’s admissions and bursary processes. Currently, she oversees funding and compliance, data management, reporting, and the exams and reception functions. Her teams play a crucial role in supporting our learners throughout their journey with us at the College Group.