Writtle College is looking for new people to join its governing body which work with the principal and staff to shape the Chelmsford-based educational institution’s future direction.

Recent appointments include Rivenhall farmer Simon Brice, Dr Julia Wright of the Centre for Agroecology and Food Security at Coventry University and Professor David Church, of the Royal Veterinary College.

Dr Wright, a sustainable agriculture and food security development researcher from Leamington Spa, specialises in building capacity and resilience of vulnerable groups to natural and manmade disasters, the regeneration of the natural resource base and low carbon systems. Her work includes experience in Europe, Peru, Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, Jamaica, Africa and Asia, including Afghanistan.

Mr Brice, a Writtle College alumnus, farms 567 hectares of cereals and cricket bat willow in Rivenhall. His diversification includes the creation and management of a golf centre boasting two nine-hole courses, a club house and driving range, as well as a winter storage reservoir used for irrigation and let for fishing. He is currently trustee of the Rural Community Council of Essex, regional Country Land and Business AssociationCLA chairman and council member and a committee member of the East of England Food and Agriculture Board.

Professor Church, from Hertfordshire, is professor of small animal studies at the Royal Veterinary College. He started his educational career in Sydney and is the author of numerous scientific articles and text book chapters on small animal medicine.

If you would like to find out more about being a governor and are interested in applying, please contact Rosemary Leno, Clerk to the Governors, at rosemary.leno@writtle.ac.uk or visit www.writtle.ac.uk/Board-of-Governors. While no formal qualifications in governance are required, a strong interest in the specialist subjects the college offers is desirable.