People: Browne Jacobson; Sandwell Colleges

Browne Jacobson has strengthened its Government practice with the appointment of Jan Cumming as legal director.
Cumming is a public-sector commercial lawyer who specialises in public-sector procurement, commercialisation and governance.
She will help to grow the UK and Ireland law firm’s national work in these areas and its presence in the West Midlands, being based in its Birmingham office.
Before joining Browne Jacobson, she was the team lead for commercial and contracts at Warwickshire County Council, where she held a complex caseload of high-value commercial contracts and procurements, including defending procurement challenges.
She has also advised both the New Zealand and Australian governments on administrative decision-making and governance during previous roles at the New Zealand Crown Law Office and law firm Clayton Utz respectively.
She said: “Having witnessed how Browne Jacobson works with its local government clients from the other side of the fence, I know the high regard in which this firm is held for its support, not just from a legal perspective but also as a supportive ally.
“I am very excited to be joining at a time when providing this support has never been more important as local authorities seek to identify new ways of making efficiencies while ensuring they are meeting their statutory duties during challenging economic times.”
Sandwell Family of Colleges, which includes Sandwell College, Cadbury Sixth Form College and Central Saint Michael’s Sixth Form, has announced the appointment of Lisa Capper MBE as its new CEO and principal, who will take up post in November.
Capper takes up the position from Graham Pennington, who has held the post of CEO and Principal at Sandwell College since 2014.
Lisa Capper MBE
She joins from her role as CEO and principal at Stoke on Trent College where she transformed the quality of provision and financial health of the college, securing partnerships and profile for its continued success in meeting the skills needs of learners and employers.
Prior to her role at Stoke on Trent, Capper led a large provision at Nacro, the social justice charity, including transforming Totton College. She was a vice principal of North Warwickshire and Hinckley College Group and executive director of the Academies Trust.
Previously, she served in the senior civil service as a specialist in FE at the Department for Education and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills leading initiatives such as Skills for life and WorldSkills.
Capper has been an independent governor of De Montfort University supporting apprenticeships and was the first female chair of the National Deaf Children’s Society. In January 2021 she was awarded the MBE for services to young people.
Capper said: “I am delighted to be joining the Sandwell family of colleges at such an exciting time. The college offers great opportunities for the young people and residents of Sandwell and Birmingham to achieve their education and skills’ ambitions and develop their careers. I am looking forward to working with the talented and dedicated teams across all sites and hope that I can bring my skills and experience to build on their tremendous achievements.”
Alan Taylor, chair of the governing board at the College said, “Lisa brings extensive experience of senior leadership and governance in further education, and through the roles she has held in colleges, charities and in government, a demonstrable commitment to the learners we serve. We are delighted to welcome Lisa to the Sandwell family of colleges and look forward to her joining us in the autumn.
“On behalf of the Board, I would like to extend our thanks to Graham for all his work and contribution to the progress of the colleges over the past decade. Under Graham’s leadership and by working collaboratively, we have seen the colleges go from strength to strength.