Who’s Who – Strategic Leadership Team of Sparsholt College Group

Julie Milburn

Principal and Chief Executive Officer of the Sparsholt College Group

Julie Milburn is Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Sparsholt College Group, leading Sparsholt College, Andover College and University Centre Sparsholt with a strong commitment to excellence, inclusion, sustainability and the future skills needs of learners, employers and communities across Hampshire and beyond.

Since becoming Principal and CEO in 2020, Julie has led the College Group through a period of significant change, maintaining a clear focus on high-quality education and training, employer and stakeholder partnerships, and the distinctive contribution that land-based, technical, professional and higher education can make to regional and national priorities. She has also overseen significant investment in the College Group’s estate, ensuring learners and staff benefit from modern, industry-standard facilities, equipment and resources that support high-quality learning and prepare learners for future careers.

Julie is passionate about the role of further and higher education in supporting economic prosperity, widening opportunity and developing the skilled workforce needed for the future. Her commitment to the national land-based agenda includes a strong focus on domestic food security, environmental sustainability and rural resilience. This has been reflected through six years as a Landex Board member and as Chair of the Landex National Quality and Standards Committee, where she has helped drive the quality of teaching, learning and curriculum development across land-based colleges nationally. She also serves as Vice Chair of the National Land Based College, established to champion skills development for land-based industries and to support stronger partnerships and collaboration between employers and education providers.

Regionally, Julie plays an active role in shaping skills, education and economic development across Hampshire. She chairs the Hampshire Principals’ Group and the Hampshire Skills Partnership, and is a member of the Hampshire Prosperity Partnership Board, working with local government, education providers and employers to strengthen collaboration and ensure that people of all ages and backgrounds can access the skills and opportunities they need to succeed.

Julie is also deeply committed to inclusion, equity and social mobility. Coming from a military family herself, she understands the importance of belonging, aspiration and support for learners from a wide range of backgrounds. She is a strong advocate for disadvantaged groups, including children looked after and care-experienced young people, and sits on both the Hampshire Virtual School Advisory Board and Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership.

Nathan Heslop

Chief Financial Officer

Nathan leads the Finance, Procurement, Catering and Estates functions across Sparsholt College Group. His focus is on ensuring that the Group’s resources are managed efficiently and effectively, supporting financial sustainability, organisational resilience and an excellent experience for learners and staff.

Since joining the College Group in 2021, Nathan has overseen a significant period of growth and change. He has strengthened the Group’s financial position and stability while enabling a step change in investment in its people, facilities and infrastructure.

Nathan is a Chartered Accountant and a Business Management graduate of the University of Surrey. He has more than 25 years’ experience in senior finance and commercial roles across a broad range of sectors. Before joining the College Group, Nathan was UK Finance Director for Aramark, where he worked closely with the College to establish a strategic catering partnership that continues today.

A keen advocate for education at all levels, Nathan also serves as a Non-Executive Director and Trustee of Every Child Academy Trust, where he chairs the Finance and Audit Committee.

Mark Treagust

Vice Principal (Curriculum) Sparsholt

Mark has worked in further education for 20 years and is the Vice Principal – Curriculum for Sparsholt College. Mark joined Sparsholt College in 2020 and has been a member of the senior team for 5 years. Mark studied a BA in Sport Development at Chichester University followed by an MA in Sport and Development at Southampton Solent University. He has also received a PGCE in Education from the University of Surrey.

Mark started his career as a Sport Science lecturer, before moving on to become a Programme Manager of Sport and Protective Services and then a Head of Faculty at Farnborough College of Technology. Mark has experience of teaching and curriculum leadership of both FE and HE provision across a range of subject areas.

Emma Illman

Director of People and Organisational Development

Emma joined us in April 2024, initially as Deputy HR Manager and in July 2026 was appointed Director of People and Organisational Development and leads the People Services Team and on the delivery of our people strategy and people priorities.

Emma has over 24 years of experience undertaking roles in both further and higher education including as Head of Learning Services at Truro and Penwith College, Head of Learning Centres and Learning Link at Yeovil College and Student Office Manager at Kingston University. Prior to joining Sparsholt College Group Emma worked as a Business Partner at University of Kent, having previously been Staff EDI Advisor and People Policy and People Projects lead at Kent.

Emma has extensive experience in the design and delivery of strategic people projects, in workforce planning and development, stakeholder engagement and in ensuring organisations can support staff to work efficiently and effectively.

Emma is a Business Management graduate from University of Derby and a History graduate from the Open University. Emma is CIPD qualified in Strategic People Management and is a chartered member of the Institute of Personnel and Development