NSCD APPOINTS NEW CHAIR AND GOVERNORS TO GOVERNING BODY

Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) today announces new Governors for the coming 4-year term from September 2025-2029. 

The Board of Governors here at NSCD is responsible for: 

• The determination of the educational character and mission of the school and for the oversight of its activities; 

• The effective and efficient use of resources, the solvency of the School and the Corporation and for safeguarding their assets; 

• Approving annual estimates of income and expenditure; 

• The appointment, grading, assignment, appraisal, suspension, dismissal and determination of the pay and conditions of the holders of senior posts; and 

• Setting a framework for the pay and conditions of service of all other staff. 

 You can learn more about our new Chair and Governors below:

Vinny Leach has been appointed Chair of Governors 

Vinny is the COO of Comma Group, an information management consultancy that operates across Europe and the USA. Prior to this she worked in several sectors including, Retail, Telecoms, Healthcare and Finance. Vinny has loved dance since her youth but found herself steering more towards STEM subjects throughout her education. At 30 she found the opportunity to reignite her personal passion for dance by taking a 2-year course in contemporary dance. Vinny is glad to be able to contribute to an establishment that is situated within her local community and has such a positive influence on young people’s lives. 

Eleanor Suthern has been appointed to the Board 

Eleanor is serving as a Barrister at Spire Barristers, Leeds, specialising in Public and Family Law. She studied at the University of Liverpool achieving a First-Class Honours degree in Law, and is a member of Spire Barristers Equality, Diversity, Social Mobility Committee. Eleanor has a keen interest in the performing arts including dance shows and musicals. 

Rachel James has been appointed to the Board  

Currently serving as Deputy Principal of Oldham College (including University Centre Oldham), Rachel is the strategic lead in the everyday operations of Oldham College. Her previous non-executive experience includes: advising the Hyve Group (the organisers of the BETT show), and being a Trustee and School Governor of the Northern Education Trust (Kirk Balk School) and the Dudley Academy Trust. Her BA (Hons) in Professional Stage Practice: Musical Theatre degree was awarded from the Arden School of Theatre (Manchester University), and she has capital project experience including development of dance studios, drama studies, music students, production arts and costume arts space, and a 300-seat theatre with a fly tower. 

Sharon Watson MBE DL, Principal and CEO of NSCD commented:

“In what is our 40th anniversary year, we are delighted to bring a new Chair, two new governors, and two new staff governors from both the public and private sector. Adding to the already committed and strong guidance of our existing governors, the new talent will bring many ideas forward to achieving and growing the school and our 10-year plan.”