With a vision to: Be an outstanding education provider | Promote wellbeing for staff, students and the community | Bring industry into the classroom
Within a culture of: Excellence | Support | Collaboration
To achieve: Skills | Integrity | Networks
Governors have been working behind the scenes for the Academy over the last academic year and have influenced the Academy’s direction in many areas:
Mark Shaw the Governance Professional can be contacted by email on [email protected]
Appointed 31 May 2019
John Stone brings over 40 years experience in education to the governing body at Big Creative Academy. His career started in South London where he was appointed as a ‘Lecturer with an interest in Music’ charged with setting up a new course in Music Instrument Technology which is still in operation today. Since then he has held a variety of senior roles which include Principal of Ealing Hammersmith and West London College, before moving to be Chief Executive of the Learning and Skills Network and latterly Principal of Treloars,  a residential school and college for young people with complex physical disabilities. Throughout his career John’s focus has been on improving the quality and range of educational opportunities for students. He is a strong believer in promoting technical innovation and the power of Education to support regeneration.
John is also Chair of the Learner Experience Committee and link governor for safeguarding.
Sacha Corcoran MBE is Principal of Big Creative Academy and also sits on the governing body. A single mum and homeless at 16, Sacha’s own success story is inspirational. She started as a PE teacher and has now been involved in education for more than 20 years. Sacha assisted in establishing BSix College and was Deputy Director for Learning at City and Islington College. She also had a three-year sabbatical at the Sector Skills Council developing the national Creative Apprenticeship project.
Sacha’s place on the governing body is an ex-officio post in accordance with the Academy’s Articles of Association. She is also the Accounting Officer for Big Creative Academy.
Appointed 18 February 2020
Finance professional with 15 years of experience across professional services, banking and social impact investing. As a Director within the Shawbrook financial sponsors business based in London James supports management teams of SMEs raise funding to support buyouts and acquisitions. As a fund manager at the Big Issue Invest, James worked with social enterprises seeking to raise funding to invest in new projects and assets to grow impact and build financial resilience.
Appointed 21st November 2023
Appointed 11 September 2022
Sarah has significant senior project and relationship management experience in addition to eight years of governing body experience. Sarah has led partnership projects with world-leading organisations including the Burberry Foundation, KPMG, RADA, Roundhouse, Barbican Centre, Law Society and Bar Council and secured valuable employer contributions for events including National and London Skills Shows, Leicester City’s Fashion & Textiles Showcases, Screenskills Open Doors and Kickstarter recruitment events.
She is passionate about helping young people develop creatively, and brings with her a solid understanding of the education and skills landscape and the routes students can take beyond BCA whether that be moving into work based apprenticeships, continuing their studies at university or training to be the creative entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
Appointed 1 November 2022
Appointed 8 February 2020
Appointed 19th February 2023
Appointed 1st October 2024
Appointed 17 March 2026
Darren is a commercial and operational leader with over 20 years’ experience growing media, publishing, and creative businesses. His career has been built on turning ideas into profitable, scalable ventures — from launching award-winning brands and products, to leading multi-million-pound P&Ls, to building diverse, high-performing teams.
He specialises in helping organisations unlock new revenue streams, strengthen organisational structure and governance, and create content and brand strategies that deliver both impact and commercial return. Whether it’s launching inclusive production studios, negotiating complex partnerships, or scaling business operations, he focuses on building sustainable growth while fostering cultures where people can thrive.
appointed 16 April 2026
Appointed 17 July 2013
Appointed 17 December 2012
Appointed 17 December 2012
Appointed 31 May 2019
Appointed 1 February 2023
Appointed 1 September 2014
Appointed 4th September 2023
Appointed 1 November 2022
During their extensive term of office this trustee successfully acted as the local champion and helped shape the academy’s marketing policy and processes.
Term of office 25 January 2018 to 10 July 2026
During their extensive term of office this trustee successfully acted as the Link Governor for Wellbeing and helped shape the student wellbeing policies and procedures at the academy.
Term of office 21 October 2020 to 10 July 2026.
