Meet our Governors

David Akeroyd – Principal and CEO

David started his career in banking and finance, working his way up to a management position within Barclays Plc before setting up his own financial planning business in 2004. Having had experience in training and education, he switched careers in 2008 – teaching maths and English at his local college.

He quickly progressed into management with responsibility for the cross-college strategy around maths and English before moving across the Pennines to run community learning provision for The City of Liverpool College as a Head of School where he progressed into senior leadership as an Assistant Principal over ten years ago. After a short period at Bradford College, David joined Barnsley College in August 2019 as Vice Principal for Technical and Professional Education and was promoted to Deputy Principal a year later.

David has been Principal and Chief Executive Officer at Barnsley College since August 2023 and considers it an honour and privilege to lead such an exceptional team who truly transform the lives of students, staff, and the community every day. He sees education as a driving force for social mobility and social change and is unrelenting in his focus to ensure the college maintains its reputation as one of the best colleges in the country.