Jane Pither has worked in financial settings, mostly educational, throughout her career, spanning roles in the private and public sectors. She is a Life Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, holds an Ed.D. from the Open University and was previously a Deputy Principal at Leeds City College and Chief Operating Officer at the Higher Education Academy. She is currently a Post Graduate Researcher at the University of Huddersfield, where her research interests include further education, vocational education and training, critical realism and comparative and international education policy. She is also a governor of a large college group.