Karen originally trained as a nurse and health visitor and worked in the NHS for 13 years. She moved into Further Education as a Lecturer in Health and Social Care and, after various promotions, made the move to Newcastle-under-Lyme College in 2002 where she was appointed as Director of Curriculum & Strategic Planning, a post she held until June 2004 when she became Principal. Karen holds a Health Sciences degree from Coventry University and an MBA from Keele. Karen currently sits on the National AOC 16-18 Policy group, is Vice Chair of the AOC Sport Board and is a Fellow of the College of Fellows at Keele University. Karen was awarded an OBE for her services to further education in the Queen’s 2019 New Year’s Honours list and was shortlisted for the TES FE Leader of the Year 2019.