Supporting governance professionals in further education
GGi is proud to partner with the Education & Training Foundation (ETF) – the membership and professional body for the further education and skills sector in England – to deliver a comprehensive training programme for governance professionals. This initiative is designed to strengthen core governance capabilities and enhance strategic impact across the sector.
Below you’ll find a curated selection of resources and toolkits developed by GGi and other leading organisations. These materials are intended to complement the training programme and support participants in putting their learning into action.
Developing the board
Running an FE college without a well-developed board is like teaching algebra without numbers. Whether your board is newly formed or well-established, these resources are designed to support its growth—enhancing strategic focus, strengthening leadership, and improving decision-making. Because in FE, a capable board isn’t just valuable—it’s vital.
- GGi insight: High-performing boards: what they are and why they are important
- GGi insight: The anatomy of avoidable failure: governance lessons from Dundee
- Further education governance maturity matrix (PDF)
- Harvard Business Review: What makes great boards great
Strategic thinking and stakeholder engagement
Strong governance in FE colleges requires boards to think strategically and engage meaningfully with stakeholders. These resources support governors, governance professionals, and senior leaders in developing the skills and frameworks needed to align institutional goals with stakeholder expectations, foster collaboration, and drive long-term impact.
- GGi stakeholder engagement maturity matrix
- GGi internal stakeholder engagement maturity matrix
- GGi insight: The basics of good governance
EDI
Embedding equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) into governance isn’t just about compliance—it’s about culture, leadership, and impact. These resources support FE college boards and governance professionals in deepening their understanding, challenging assumptions, and driving meaningful change across institutions. Because inclusive governance is effective governance.
- GGi insight: Good governance is powered by difference
- GGi insight: Cracking organisational culture
- Education & Training Foundation Deeper Thinking, Stronger Action toolkit
Risk management
From safeguarding assets to navigating reputational challenges, effective boards know that managing risk means asking the right questions before trouble knocks. These resources help FE colleges build resilient governance structures that anticipate, assess, and act—so your board stays proactive, not reactive.
- GGi insight: Positive risk culture
- GGi insight: Board guidance on risk appetite
- GGi insight: Corporate risk register vs. board assurance framework
Report writing
A well-crafted report is more than a formality—it’s a strategic tool. Whether you're informing, persuading, or prompting action, effective board reporting ensures clarity, accountability, and impact. These resources offer practical guidance to help governance professionals and college leaders write reports that are clear, insightful, and support sound decision-making.
