In this episode of the Inspiring Working Lives podcast, we sit down with Denise Brown, Group Chief Executive of South Essex College Group. From her childhood in a children’s home to leading one of the largest FE colleges in the country, Denise shares her remarkable journey of resilience, determination and the life-changing power of education.
We explore how further education offers second chances, why lifelong learning matters more than ever, and the importance of mentors who help shape careers. Denise also reflects on the challenges facing the FE sector today, the need to raise its profile, and her responsibility to pass the baton to the next generation of leaders.
This conversation is both deeply personal and inspiring – a powerful reminder of how education can transform lives and communities.
Dan Taylor
Managing Director
I am the Managing Director of Morgan Hunt and Pentagon Talent and have held this position since January 2017. Over that period, I have overseen a full-scale change programme that has led to a more defined offering to the businesses long standing clients, a full change of brand, a new CRM and several adoptions of new and innovative tech and the opening of a new business in Scotland. All this has contributed to returning this long-standing business to profit.
In 2023, Morgan Hunt was awarded the NORA award for best large recruitment business for Morgan Hunt’s online presence, The Financial Times listed Morgan Hunt as one of the top 30 British Recruitment Companies and The Recruiter Magazine will feature Morgan Hunt in their Fast 100 for 2023.
I have worked within staffing and recruitment for 28 years. I am a major supporter of APSCo, attending many events throughout the year. I am a firm advocate for greater professionalism within the recruitment industry.
Married with two daughters, outside work interests include playing the drums and supporting the Sussex Cricket Foundation by creating greater access to the sport of cricket within the City of Brighton and Hove.
Denise Brown
Group CEO of South Essex College Group
I am an experienced senior manager/executive with 29 years experience in Further Education management. I am currently Principal and CEO of a general further education college in South Essex. I am particularly specialized in curriculum management and quality improvement. I also have substantial experience in curriculum innovation. As an Executive Director I managed a large Faculty, which included Business Studies, A Levels, Art and Design, ESOL, Health and Social Care, Early Years, Hospitality, and LDD. I also ran a Faculty with responsibility for Foundation Learning. I am passionate about inclusion and open access to further education and used this passion, commitment and my undoubted creativity to build and implement a cross college credit based curriculum. In doing this I developed knowledge and expertise in the structure and assessment of most vocational and academic disciplines within the further education sector.
