Simon Perryman

Simon was appointed chair of governors in October 2015. He says that it is an absolute privilege to lead such a great College that is making such a difference to the town and its community.

Simon runs his own business providing advice to governments on skills policy and delivery. He is also on the Sheffield City Region Skills Board. He retired in 2015 from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills where he was the Executive Director based at their office in Wath-upon-Dearne. His role was to lead the operational and industrial investment work of the Commission.

Simon previously worked at the Sector Skills Development Agency in Wath and, before that, held a number of jobs in government relating to skills, small business and regional development. This included the creation of Business Link and, more recently, Sector Skills Councils. He has also worked at the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber based in Leeds. This was where he first got to know Barnsley and decided he wanted to try and make a contribution to its success when time allowed.

Simon started his career working as a training adviser for the Engineering Industry Training Board, was a management training manager and worked on the implementation of a distance learning programme before moving into policy work in government.

Simon is a graduate of Bradford University, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, has two grown up children and lives with his partner in Sheffield.

Simon also chairs the Governance and Search Committee.