SUNAINA MANN
Sunaina Mann, 44, principal of North East Surrey College of Technology (NESCOT)

Sunaina came to the UK in 1966 from a family largely made up of teachers, and from the age of 14 was convinced that she too wanted to be a teacher. Her first post in teaching was at a private college and she then went onto teach at several colleges both as a lecturer, college co-ordinator and head of department. Sunaina achieved her ambition and became the first female Asian principal in the UK in September 2005 at North East Surrey College of Technology.

The college had been inspected in 2004 and was judged inadequate. On taking up her post Sunaina embarked on a programme to improve the college. This included appointing new management staff and together, directed by Sunaina they improved, modernised and developed the college to bring the college up to the level of 'good' at the next inspection. Sunaina is also active outside of the college and is a member of the Network for Black Professionals. In June 2005 Sunaina was invited by the director of the improvement group at the Department for Education and Skills to become a member of the Advisory Group for race issues in the learning and skills sector workforce.

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