Leadership
Driven by experience and a vision for student success. Learn about our executive team and how they guide our strategic growth.
Meet our executive team
Principal’s welcome
Welcome to Brooklands Technical College. With campuses located in Ashford and Weybridge, we proudly provide exceptional learning opportunities tailored to our local communities. Whether you are looking for technical programmes and apprenticeships, professional courses for adults or alternative pathways for Pre-16s, BTC is the ideal place to start or progress your career.
In the 2026/27 academic year, the College celebrates its 75th anniversary. Since our inception in 1951, Brooklands Technical College has been a cornerstone for local families. Generations of parents, students and employers share a common history of growth and opportunity. These personal stories do more than connect us to our past: they define our future.
We honour this heritage by recognising the transformative power of a positive college experience in shaping lives and driving local aspirations. BTC has built an inclusive environment where every student and staff member feels valued. This ethos fosters a deep sense of pride among our students, staff and alumni, who frequently highlight the friendliness, strong sense of community and the calming, caring environment of the College.
BTC is currently undergoing an exciting physical and cultural transformation. The completion of our ambitious capital project delivers state-of-the-art industry facilities and a bespoke environment for all learners. This ensures that BTC is not just responding to the modern further education landscape, but actively shaping it by providing cutting-edge spaces designed to fully prepare our students for the world of work.
Our purpose is to empower every student to succeed through inclusive pathways, personalised support and teaching excellence.
We look forward to being a part of your career journey.
Christine Ricketts
Principal/CEO
Chief Executive Officer and Principal
As CEO, Christine is deeply committed to driving regional economic growth by building robust partnerships with employers and local stakeholders. She is passionate about the student experience and believes in the power of education to transform lives.
Beyond her college leadership, Christine champions educational collaboration across the county. She serves as Chair of SurreyFE, a partnership uniting Surrey’s further education colleges, and Chair of the Post-16 Phase Council, where she collaborates with regional CEOs and the borough council to align post-16 education with regional skills priorities. Driven by a commitment to social mobility, she also sits on several community groups focused on expanding life choices for local residents.
Chief Operating Officer
Since November 2023, Allan has been BTC’s Chief Operating Officer, responsible for Finance, Estates, IT and MIS. He was the Finance Director at Oldham College from July 2016 until October 2023, and has played an instrumental part in both College’s recent financial recoveries.
Allan has worked in the education and related sectors for the last 25 years. His roles include being Executive Director for Finance and Commercial at North Hertfordshire College and Group FD at The IMI, the professional association and awarding body for the retail motor industry.
Allan holds several voluntary roles including Deputy Chair of Northern Roots, a charity based in Oldham currently developing the country’s first bio-diverse urban farm, and Chair of Finance at Richard Hale School in his hometown of Hertford.
Director of Governance
Melissa is a qualified governance professional with over 25 years’ experience working in further education.
She has been Director of Governance at BTC since September 2022 and combines this role with that of governance consultant, currently working with the Association of Colleges as a trainer and mentor of new FE Governance Professionals, and providing external governance reviews for other colleges.
Director of People, Performance & Development
Alison built up her Human Resources and Organisational Development experience through leading large HR teams with organisations such as Richmond upon Thames College, The Institute of Cancer Research, Lambeth College, Roehampton University, Westminster City Council and numerous charity and healthcare organisations whilst working for a Healthcare Consultancy.
Alison is passionate about education and fairness for all. For many years Alison was also Chair of Governors at Carlisle Infant and Hampton Hill Juniors Federation.
Deputy Principal
Beginning her career in FE as a Learning Support Assistant before training as a vocational teacher, Christina has progressed through a range of leadership positions, developing expertise in teaching and learning, quality improvement, safeguarding and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Throughout her career, Christina has successfully led improvement strategies that have enhanced student outcomes. She has worked closely with local authorities to review and strengthen SEND provision and has contributed to sector development through advisory work with the Department for Education.
Vice Principal – Quality, Standards and Learner Experience
With over 25 years of experience in Further Education, Sarah is dedicated to fostering a high-quality, inclusive environment that empowers every student to thrive.
Sarah leads the strategic integration of rigorous quality systems to drive innovation and continuous improvement in teaching, learning and assessment. Her focus is on ensuring every student benefits from a high-quality learning experience that enables them to reach their full potential and progress confidently toward their next steps.
Vice Principal – Curriculum
Lorne is the strategic lead for skills and the development of the entire College curriculum, ensuring all provision is responsive to local and regional economic demands so that the College delivers a consistent, high-quality learner experience.