Chris Jelley (chair) Chris was one of the team appointed by the Government to set up learndirect and commissioned many of their IT courses. He was formerly Head of Children’s programmes at Yorkshire Television, having started his career in educational broadcasting with the BBC.  Chris is currently Non Executive Director of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and  Chairman of the Governors of Moorfield School, Ilkley.

Cathy Baxandall Cathy is a qualified solicitor with a strong interest in the arts. Having gained her legal qualification in the City and been a partner in a major national practice, since 1994 she has worked in industry, as company secretary and group counsel in the manufacturing and service sectors. She holds one other charity board position, as well as serving on the board of her present employer, the Silentnight Group. She lives in West Yorkshire, and is married with two children

Shiela Carlton Shiela is a scientist who started her career in an international company in the textiles industry. She was Associate Director and secretary of NIACE, the adult learners organisation. Instrumental in the widening of access to higher education, she was previously the founding Secretary of Coventry University, formerly Lanchester Polytechnic. Sheila brings to the OCA a commitment to lifelong learning and is passionate about widening participation in adult education.

Alison Churchill Alison is Head of the Lichfield School of Art at tamworth and Litchfield College. She initially trained as a teacher, becoming involved in Adult Education in the 1980s. Alison has been associated with the OCA for over twenty years, having been one of the first OCA tutors.

Peggotty Graham Peggotty is a former Dean & Director of Studies (Social Sciences) at the Open University, and a member of the OU Council. She specialises in curriculum design, student and tutor support , and quality assurance processes. She has provided consultancy advice in India, Ethiopia and Singapore. Peggotty is a keen amateur photographer, learner pianist, skiier and windsurfer.

Ros Morpeth Ros is the former Executive Director of the National Extension College (NEC) and prior to that she was NEC's director of publishing. She is a social anthropologist by training and did field work in Northern India and has also worked in Jamaica and Greece. Her research interests include course design and development, open learning systems, marketing business development and management of ODL. She was the editor of Open Praxis, the Journal of the International Council for Distance Education and treasurer of the European Association of Distance Learning.

Richard Robbins Richard taught at Hornsey School of Art, Middlesex University from 1960 – 1993, he retired as Head of Fine Art and Honorary Professor Fine Art; and as an Honorary Member, of the Royal Society of British Artists.

Dick Spelman Dick was formerly Chief Executive, Retail Financial Services at Halifax PLC. He brings to the OCA business insights gained over a highly successful career in banking and marketing. Dick was Adviser the Government on Advertising and Communications from 1992 to 2002.