Denise Brown is Group Chief Executive Officer of South Essex Colleges Group, the largest provider of technical and vocational education and training in Essex, serving 16-18 year olds, adults, apprentices and higher education learners across multiple campuses.
She has over 35 years’ experience in further education, including more than 25 years in senior leadership roles. Before joining South Essex Colleges Group, Denise was Principal and Chief Executive of Stoke on Trent College, and has held a range of posts in curriculum management, quality improvement and strategic planning across the FE sector.
At South Essex Colleges Group, Denise leads an ambitious 2023-27 strategic plan focused on community transformation, skills development and widening participation, working closely with employers, universities and regional partners to align education with labour-market needs.
Denise is also a Leadership Fellow of St George’s House, Windsor, reflecting her wider contribution to educational leadership and governance. Her experience in institutional strategy, financial and quality oversight, and partnership working underpins her contribution to Council discussions on governance, education policy and the student experience.
