Our Membership - Mixed Economy Group

MEG has a high profile and is recognised as an authoritative voice in an increasingly diverse higher education sector in England. We take a measured and evidence-based approach to policy issues often based on members’ contributions to discussions and research papers, especially in the field of college based higher education which is our primary focus. The group serves as a network for senior practitioners and managers , enabling them to share good practice & discuss policy and strategy informally between regular termly meetings. MEG carries out research on a regular basis and is regarded as a source of informed opinion by a range of Government, academic and employer organisations. Institutions are members of MEG: actual representation at MEG meetings is the decision of college Principals.

MEG is a single-issue organisation, being focussed entirely on College Based Higher Education matters. The force of its arguments stems from the volume of HE delivered by its members, so our only criterion for membership is that colleges wishing to join us must have at least 500 Full Time Equivalent HE students. Institutions are members of MEG: actual representation at MEG meetings is the decision of college Principals.

MEG membership runs from 1 August – 31 July.

MEG senior practitioners meet formally three times a year during term times, either face to face or online. Our Principals’ Forum is convened three times each year online. Additional meetings, masterclasses and working groups take place as required by members..

Meg Officers

The Chair

The Chair is elected by ballot of member colleges immediately after the summer term meeting. Candidates must be a serving Principal of a member college. The Chair holds office for three years.

The Vice Chairs

The group appoints Vice Chairs by ballot, at least one of whom must be a serving Principal in a MEG college. The Vice Chairs hold office for two years.

The Coordinator

MEG employs a professional
Coordinator as its chief operating officer to advise the MEG Executive Group, support group meetings and activities and represent members at a range of external events.

Our Current Officers

First in his family to study at university, Jon knows first-hand the empowerment of a good education. He is passionate about colleges as place makers, working with communities, business, alumni, college staff and students to provide life changing opportunities for individuals that strengthen and shape the places they live and work.

Jon joined Newcastle College’s Principalship team in August 2016, and was appointed Principal in 2024, having previously served as Deputy Principal and a member of NCG Executive leading on higher education. Jon continues to lead on NCG’s Higher Education Strategy to 2030. In 2022 he led the achievement of a key strategic milestone when NCG achieved taught degree awarding powers on an indefinite basis.

In addition to his role as Chair of the Mixed Economy Group of Colleges, Jon is a member of the Association of Colleges (AoC) Higher Education Policy Group. jon.ridley@ncl-coll.ac.uk

Sadie Skellon Vice Principal for Higher Education at University Centre Weston College

Sadie Skellon is Vice Principal for Higher Education at University Centre Weston part of Weston College. She has worked in both Higher and Further Education for nearly 25 years and is passionate about widening participation and the opportunity that College based HE can provide within the local community. Sadie also contributes to the sector through her roles on the UCAS Council, the local Uni Connect Partnership Board, and the AoC HE Reference Group. Under her leadership, UCW has retained TEF Gold.

Matthew Harbour is Vice Principal and Deputy CEO at South Devon College, with 30 years’ experience in further and higher education. His background spans creative arts, curriculum leadership, and quality assurance. A passionate advocate for education’s transformative power, Matthew brings strategic insight into HE delivery, cultural engagement, and cross-sector collaboration within college and university settings. Matt Harbour

Chris Cockerton Vice Principal & Dean of Higher Education & Adult Skills, Loughborough College

Chris Cockerton
Chris has 15 years experience as a senior leader in College based Higher Education at Loughborough College where he created a new department and has seen steady growth in student numbers and extremely high student satisfaction rates. Chris is a Director of the East Midlands Institute of Technology and a co-opted member of the STCG HE Governance team. Alongside his role as MEG Vice Chair, he also sits on the AoC HE Policy group. Chris Cockerton

Nick started as a lecturer in English and Communications at Burton Technical College in 1986 . A trained journalist, he served on the senior leadership teams of three colleges before setting up his own consultancy specialising in curriculum delivery & strategic improvement, especially in college based higher education. His work with MEG focuses on supporting members to navigate the changing HE marketplace. megcoordinator@gmail.com