The Saturday Club Trust warmly welcomes the appointment of Jasbir Sondhi and Ken Merry to the Board of Trustees. The appointment of two new trustees to the board comes at a pivotal time for the National Saturday Club as it prepares to launch its ambitious five-year strategy.  

Jasbir and Ken bring with them a breadth of expertise and critical insight of the Further Education sector which will be instrumental in supporting and shaping the expansion of the programme to reach more young people across the UK.  

Of the 122 Saturday Clubs currently running, forty-two are hosted at Further Education institutions, providing vital equitable access to free extracurricular education for local young people, while increasing visibility of further study pathways. 

Chair of the Board, Sir Nigel Carrington commented: 
“We are delighted to welcome Jasbir and Ken to the Board of Trustees as the National Saturday Club as the further education sector is increasingly represented within the national network of partners. Their leadership across two distinguished institutions, combined with extensive sector experience, brings critical insight to the Board as we work to expand the programme’s reach and continue to enhance the support we provide for our valued partners. Their appointments also bring valuable regional perspectives to the Board, reinforcing our commitment to providing equitable access to free extracurricular education for young people nationwide.” 

Jasbir Sondhi is the Group Principal at Capital City College, one of the largest Further Education colleges in England, overseeing eleven London sites that serve over 37,000 students. A dedicated educational leader with over twenty years of experience in Further Education, Jasbir is passionate about inclusion, equality, and widening access to learning.  

Jasbir has led transformative strategies to remove barriers to education, enhance social mobility, and support community regeneration through collaborative and responsive provision. In recognition of her impact, she was featured on the Purpose Power List 2024 by The Purpose Coalition, which celebrates leaders driving positive change through innovation and purposeful leadership. 

Jasbir commented on her appointment to the board: 
“I am thrilled to join the Board of the National Saturday Club, an organisation I greatly admire for its commitment to providing young people access to creative opportunities. Too many young people, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, lack the networks and resources to explore their creative potential. I am passionate about breaking down these barriers and ensuring that all young people, regardless of their circumstances, have the chance to develop their talents, build confidence, and expand their aspirations.  

Having seen firsthand the transformative impact of extracurricular activities, I am a strong advocate for expanding access to these vital experiences, and I look forward to contributing to the Club’s mission.” 

Ken Merry is the Principal and Chief Executive Officer at York College & University Centre, a large Further Education college serving the City of York and surrounding area, where his role is to strategically lead the college and influence local, regional, and national education policy.  

Ken has twenty years of experience in the Further Education and skills sector, having previously held the role of Vice Principal for Quality at Barnsley College. He has also previously served as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors for Ofsted and has held various leadership and teaching roles in a number of colleges throughout his career. 

Ken commented on his appointment to the board: 
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to join board of trustees for the National Saturday Club. I see first-hand the difference the charity makes through both the college I work at, where we host a Saturday Club, but also in the community in which I grew up. The opportunity for young people to engage in creative subjects and learn about something that they would not necessarily be exposed to in their social circles is genuinely life changing.  

I hope to bring my knowledge and understanding of the Further Education and Skills sector to the board and help to support the network of colleges offering Saturday Clubs to expand.”