Terry Baxter has become the new chair of governors at Suffolk New College.

Terry’s successful career path encompasses everything from radio presenting, working for Ipswich Town Football Club, owning video libraries in the 1980’s and being the CEO of the charity INSPIRE. Here we chat to Terry about his career and his new role working for one of the largest educational establishments in the county – and how he wants to play a part in continuing to transform the lives of Suffolk New College students for the better.

My father passed away when I was 15 and there wasn’t much money in our household. So, I left Copleston High School at 16 on a Thursday and started work the following Monday.

I got a job as a junior for an office manufacturing company – and to be honest, I didn’t have many career aspirations at that time.

I’m often asked to talk about career planning in my current job (working as a CEO for the charity INSPIRE). I always reflect on my experiences – and I have found that a number of opportunities have come my way and I’ve gone ‘all in’ and made the most of them. Therefore, my advice always is – don’t always think a career is a career for life. Look at opportunities and don’t be afraid to change direction if it feels right.

After my early career experiences, I decided to set up a video library company in the nineties. I had great success, but unfortunately the industry changed, the company stopped trading and I ended up living in a two berth caravan with my wife and two children. It was tough, but we stuck together.

When I had my video business, I used to do short slots reviewing films on BBC Essex. I chatted to one of the journalists there and they encouraged me to try and get some work with the BBC.

I pursued it and managed to get some shifts. It was a very junior position where I was opening doors and making tea. But I stuck at it and ended up getting more and more work.

After a while, the then editor (Ivan Howlett) offered me a job as a roving reporter on the Rachel Sloane show and I kind of fell into a brand-new career. And my broadcasting career blossomed.

Whilst at the BBC, I used to commentate on Ipswich Town Football Club (ITFC) games and during a UEFA cup tie in 2001, the then chairman David Sheepshanks invited me out to lunch.

During that lunch, I was offered a communications role at Ipswich Town.

I went for this role and stayed at the club for ten years. Towards the end of my time at ITFC, I moved towards the community side of the business, and this is where I discovered a passion for the charity sector – an industry I still work in today – as CEO of the charity INSPIRE.

I feel very privileged to work for INSPIRE. We are a charity that helps young people embrace all  the opportunities that are out there. I guess this role and that passion has led me to take on the challenge of being the chair of governors at Suffolk New College.

Whilst I didn’t go to the college, both my sons did – and they really enjoyed the experience.

It helped give them the skills to successfully create brilliant careers for themselves.

Whilst I started this role (chair of governors) in July 2024, I was vice chair before that, have hosted the annual student awards event and I was also part of an ambassador scheme that was first launched in 2007. So, my connection to Suffolk New College runs very deep.

In terms of why I took on the role, I’d say it’s because I am a big believer in the idea that everyone should have the same opportunities – irrespective of how they have grown up. It’s a bit utopian I suppose – but it is something that the college does well and I’m very proud to be part of it.

I believe that Suffolk New College is all about transforming lives in a safe environment. It’s about giving opportunities, maximising potential, nurturing and being a positive force for everyone who comes here. Everything we do is for the benefit of the students who come through the door. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?

I must pay tribute to the former chair of governors Stephen Pugh who has helped oversee a really positive period with the college – so these are big shoes to fill – but I’m going to continue to encourage us to be adventurous, brave and entrepreneurial – and bring everyone within the organisation with us on an exciting adventure.

I’d also like to say a quick word about the other board members that includes my vice-chair Andy Stephenson. They give up their time for free and bring their expertise to the table to help the organisation progress. So, I’d like to thank them for everything they do – and look forward to continuing to work with them to help the college be the best it can possibly be.

In terms of what I hope to bring to the party, I really believe that I can help in terms of ensuring that the executive team, the staff and students all have what they need, so that they can continue to improve the performance of the college at all times.

In terms of my ambitions, this is a four-year term, and I want to see that out and make sure we push ourselves. I want to achieve a sense of forward motion. It’s about positive continual progression. I’m going to be a flag-waver for this very special organisation and celebrate the positive role it plays in the lives of all the people who study here.

I believe that the biggest challenge I will face is promoting further education (FE) to the people in power. FE is often seen as the poorer relation to mainstream education – so my challenge is to constantly remind everyone that it can be transformational in terms of giving skills to the future workforce – and that this college is incredibly important player in supporting that workforce and the economy of Ipswich and Suffolk.

Before this role, I thought I knew most things about the college. But since being on the inside, when you lift up the metaphorical bonnet and look at the workings underneath – you get a greater understanding of what a massive beast of an organisation Suffolk New College is – and you also get a greater sense of the incredible work it is doing.