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There is no biographical profile of the Principal on the College's website. This detail is from the 2023 appointment article.

Natalie is currently Principal and Chief Executive of Bishop Auckland College in the north east, where she has worked for 15 years, 11 of which as Principal.

Born in County Durham, Natalie studied chemical engineering at Swansea University, starting her career in manufacturing at consumer goods giant Procter and Gamble in Grays, Essex. However, her passion for education led her to transition into teaching at the former Thurrock College, and then subsequently college management positions in the subject areas of engineering, computing and construction.

She holds an MBA from Henley Business School and an MA in Local and Regional Development from Newcastle University.

This won’t be the first time Natalie has worked in London, having previously headed up the technology faculty at Newham College, east London.

Yvonne joined Barking & Dagenham College in March 2015 as Chief Operating Officer, with overall responsibility for this national award-winning College’s extensive curriculum offer which provides professional and technical training to 12,500 students annually. In March 2016, following the departure of the Principal, Yvonne carried out the role of Acting Principal and was successfully appointed as Principal and CEO in December 2016. Yvonne takes an active role on various boards including the Executive Board at Barking & Dagenham Chamber of Commerce, the Barking & Dagenham 14-19 partnership Board and is a Board Member for CITB. Yvonne has been part of the education sector for many years; before joining the East London College, Yvonne held Director and Executive Director roles at Stoke on Trent College.