Silverstone UTC gets into gear with new leadership
- Silverstone UTC
- Sep 23
- 2 min read
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ben Ward as our new Chair of Trustees and Gemma Coles-Hassan as our new Vice Chair of Trustees. These appointments will enhance the school's governance and strategic direction.
Ben has a strong passion for engineering and motorsport, along with a commitment to ensuring that young people can achieve their full potential. He has extensive experience in charity leadership and governance and has been a school governor at various schools for many years. "I'm looking forward to working with the Board, Senior leadership, the engineering and motorsport communities, our longstanding partners and, importantly, Silverstone Circuits, in order to secure the long-term success for the UTC and ensure we deliver the best outcomes for young people," he said.
Gemma Coles-Hassan will serve as the Vice Chair. "I'm really looking forward to working with Ben and the rest of the Board to help shape the future of the UTC," she said. "The new governance structure will be vital in ensuring we continue to provide the best possible education and opportunities for our students."
Our Principal, Angela Murphy, highlighted the importance of this new chapter. "This is an exciting time for Silverstone UTC. The UK's motorsport and high-performance engineering industry is a dynamic and growing sector, and its success relies on a pipeline of work-ready, capable, and creative young people. The leadership and expertise that Ben and Gemma bring will be crucial as we continue to champion the importance of education, engineering, and the unique role of a University Technical College in preparing students to support this vital regional industry."
We are always on the lookout for partners in the Engineering and Motorsport industries to work with the new leadership to help support work-ready, creative and resilient young people. Interested parties should contact the UTC via info@utc-silverstone.co.uk.
Congratulations to Ben Ward and Gemma Coles-Hassan on their new leadership roles—strong governance is key to driving meaningful progress in education. As schools evolve, so do the learning environments that support them. Thoughtfully designed furniture—from ergonomic chairs and collaborative tables to practical desks, wardrobes, and even common-area coffee tables—can make a real difference in student focus and comfort. For ideas on creating functional, inspiring spaces, this furniture blog offers helpful insights. Wishing the UTC team continued success in this exciting new chapter.