Haberdashers' Academies Trust South

The following biographies are of governors who served within the last 12 months.

• Seamus Gibbons
  Former Co-opted Governor
  Seamus Gibbons

  Type of Governor	Co-opted Governor SEAMUS GIBBONS
  Committee Membership	Knights Primary LGB
  Appointment Start Date	01/09/2021
  Term of office	4 years
  Appointed by	Appointed by the Trust Board in accordance with the Articles of Association

  Seamus is an experienced school Principal of two London primary school. with a strong history of working in education. His achievements include leading a school to Ofsted rating 'Outstanding’ and being awarded 'Leader of. the Year', for his MAT.

  Seamus is also the Lead for the primary teacher training provision for the country's largest MAT. He holds an MA (Distinction) in Effective Learning from the UCL Institute of Education and has also completed the National Qualification in Executive Leadership (NPQEL).

  He mentors new headteachers and has supported numerous schools in challenging contexts. Seamus is also a member of the DfE's Headteacher Reference Group.

• Ms Stephanie Carr,
  Former Elected Parent Governor,
  Ms Stephanie Carr,

  Type of Governor	Elected Parent Governor
  Committee Membership	Knights Primary LGB
  Appointment Start Date	01/09/2021
  Term of office	4 years
  Appointed by	Elected by Parents and appointed by the Trust Board in accordance with the Articles of Association

  Stephanie has lived in the local area for over twenty years and has one child currently attending Knights Primary. Stephanie works as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant within the local area and is also studying to become a primary teacher.

  Stephanie wanted to join the Knights Primary local governing body as she has a good understanding of the education system - not only from a professional perspective - but also from a parents' perspective. Stephanie hopes to gain a better understanding of how the school is run and to make a positive contribution to the governing body by not only working to support the school, but also questioning and challenging decisions which are being made along the way.

  Stephanie looks forward in the coming years to working alongside the rest of the governing body to help the school provide a stimulating and supportive environment which enables all children to reach their maximum potential.

  ,

• Merlinda Harry
  Former Elected Parent Governor
  Merlinda Harry

  Type of Governor	Elected Parent Governor
  Committee Membership	Knights Academy LGB
  Appointment Start Date	16/06/2022
  Term of office	4 years
  Appointed by	Elected by Parents and appointed by the Trust Board in accordance with the Articles of Association

  Merlinda is originally from St Lucia, however she has lived and worked in Canada and the Dominican Republic, before settling in the UK.

  Merlinda has a son who attends Knights Academy, and he is her motivational force for wanting to give back in a way that is meaningful and matters. Merlinda strongly believes in giving young people the tools to enable them to be the best version of themselves, and see's her role on the Knights Academy LGB as an opportunity to support these children and young people as they navigate through life.

  Merlinda enjoys travelling, completing jigsaw puzzles and watching movies in her spare time.

• John Fernau
  Former Nominated Director, Former Trustee, co-opted Governor
  John Fernau

  Type of Governor	Nominated Director
  Committee Membership	Trust Board, Finance Committee and Crayford Academy LGB
  Appointment Start Date	23/03/2016
  Term of office	4 years, appointed to serve second term on 11/03/2020
  Appointed by	Appointed as a Member by resolution of the Members and the Haberdashers' Company, and appointed to the Trust Board by Directors of the Trust Board in accordance with the Articles of Association.

  John is a senior leader with extensive experience of public procurement and major sporting events.

  John started his career in international development procurement before becoming a management consultant advising on procurement in local and central government. Whilst a consultant, John began working at the Olympic Delivery Authority and in 2009 he became the Head of Procurement. John led the delivery of a huge range of procurements including on and off park construction, park wide logistics and security, transport, security and other corporate professional services.

  After the Games in 2012, John became the Commercial Director of the Home Office. Whilst there, John was also a Non-Executive Director of the Government Procurement Service where he focused on driving the organisation to strengthen its customer service. In 2014 John left the Home Office to found Fernau Solutions, a consultancy which helps small and medium sized companies to understand government and successfully navigate public sector procurement.

  John is a Liveryman of the Haberdashers Company and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply.

• Evelyn Guest
  Former Co-opted Governor
  Evelyn Guest

  Type of Governor	Co-opted Governor
  Committee Membership	Slade Green Primary LGB, Crayford Academy LGBC
  Appointment Start Date	14/12/2017, appointed to Slade Green Primary LGB on 04/01/2022
  Term of office	4 years
  Appointed by	Appointed by the Trust Board in accordance with the Articles of Association

  Evelyn attended secondary school in Lancashire and subsequently studied English Literature at University of Wales, Swansea and was awarded a BA with honours.

  Her teaching certificate was also awarded by Swansea University. Her many years as a teacher in various roles were spent in both the maintained and private sector. The last 18 years were enjoyed at City of London Freemen's School in Surrey, latterly as Deputy Head.

  Her aim throughout her teaching career has been to enable all pupils to fulfil their potential in a happy and safe environment. As DSL the writing of school policies focused on 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' and monitoring implementation was a key role. Evelyn has always acknowledged the important role of parents. She has as one of her other priorities the welfare of staff.

• Abdoul Wane
  Former Elected Parent Governor
  Abdoul Wane

  Type of Governor	Parent Governor
  Committee Membership	Slade Green Primary LGB
  Appointment Start Date	27/04/2022
  Term of office	4 years
  Appointed by	Elected by Parents and appointed by the Trust Board in accordance with the Articles of Association.

  Abdoul was born and raised in Senegal and later moved to France to continue his studies. After completing a Masters degree in Computer Sciences, Abdoul worked in France for 10 years before moving to the UK with his family to pursue an MBA at Warwick Business School.

  Abdoul has a keen interest in supporting charities and families, and enjoys cycling, F1 and watching competitive sports at an international level

• Natalie Wilson
  Former Co-opted governor
  Natalie Wilson

  Type of Governor	Co-opted governor
  Committee Membership	Knights Academy LGB
  Appointment Start Date	10/05/2018, appointed to serve second term on
  Term of office	4 years
  Appointed by	Appointed by the Trust Board in accordance with the Articles of Association

  Natalie Wilson has been a qualified social worker for 20 years and has worked across most areas, from children and families up to management level and is currently self-employed working as an independent social worker. Natalie has always had a passion for providing children with the best opportunities to develop and reach their full potential particularly those who are more vulnerable. Natalie also has experience of school life through working closely with schools as a social worker, voluntarily at her children's school and in running a wildlife club at another school. She has also worked as a children's and youth worker at her church for over 20 years. Natalie has three children of her own and is delighted to be able to offer her support to Knights Academy as a Haberdashers governor. In her spare time Natalie also has a keen interest in fitness and outdoor activities.

• Clive Lewis
  Former Elected Parent Governor
  Clive Lewis

  Type of Governor	Elected Parent Governor
  Committee Membership	Crayford Primary LGB
  Appointment Start Date	28/02/2023
  Term of office	4 years
  Appointed by	Elected by Parents and appointed by the Trust Board in accordance with the Articles of Association

  Some of you will know me through my work with the PA or as a DBS checked volunteer at the school. For those who don't, i'm proud to say my daughter attends Haberdashers Crayford Primary and believe the school is the heart of our community.

  As a father, I’m passionate about inclusive education for children with disabilities and that all children have unlimited potential. I am also a volunteer with the Guides Association and Beams children's charity. Professionally I have worked for over 25 years in customer relations, complaints management / resolution as well as sales and marketing management.

  In my role as a governor I will strive to be a conduit between all parents and the school. Representing our views on our children’s education and the daily running of the school.

• Dame Sue John
  Former Trustee
  Dame Sue John

  Type of Governor	Former Nominated Director
  Committee Membership	Trust Board and Standards Committee
  Appointment Start Date	01/09/2020
  Term of office	4 years
  Appointed by	Appointed by the Directors of the Trust Board in accordance with the Articles of Association

  Dame Sue John

  Executive Director Challenge Partners

  Sue was the headteacher of Lampton School in Hounslow from 1997 to 2015.The school was included in the 2010 Ofsted publication Twelve outstanding secondary schools: excelling against the odds. Sue worked as a National Leader of Education and as project manager for some of London's most challenging and complex schools. She was the Director of the London Leadership Strategy for secondary schools during the London Challenge.

  She was previously awarded an honorary fellowship from Brunel University and recently awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws by Roehampton University. Sue has held directorships at the DFE, Future and Teaching Leaders and is currently the Chair of the South London TSA and Charles Dickens Research School. Sue is a member of the Sutton Trust EAG, the advisory group for the Fair Education Alliance and the Royal Society's curriculum group. She is also the Chair of Trustees for the Teacher Development Trust.

• Nicholas Scarles
  Former Chair of Trustees, Member
  Nicholas Scarles

  Type of Governor	Member and Nominated Director
  Committee Membership	Chairman of the Trust Board. Member of the Finance Committee and People Committee.
  Appointment Start Date	24/03/2016
  Term of office	4 years - appointed to second term on 24/03/2020
  Appointed by	Appointed as a Member and Nominated Director by resolution of the Members and the Haberdashers' Company. Appointed as Chair by the Directors of the Trust Board in accordance with the Articles of Association.

  Nick was previously a Governor of the Haberdashers' Boys School and Haberdashers' School for Girls, at Elstree, where he was a member of the Boys' School Committee and chaired the Finance Committee. He is a Member of the Court of Assistants of the Haberdashers Livery Company.

  Nick is Chair of Realty Incurances Limited, a specialist insurance brokerage. He was previously Chief Financial Officer of the Grosvenor Estate, having spent 13 years as Group Finance Director of Grosvenor Group Limited (a private international real estate development investment and fund management group). Prior to that he was at Centrica Plc and PwC, living in London, New York and Toronto.

  Nick was Chair of the Real Estate Finance Group, which produced 'A Vision for Real Estate Finance in the UK', which contained recommendations to protect the UK's financial stability.

  Nick originally qualified as a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor in the UK and Certified Public Accountant and Attorney at Law in the USA, having been educated at Haberdashers' Boys School, Elstree, obtaining law degrees from Trinity College, Cambridge, and the University of Virginia.

• Karen Carter
  Co opted Governor
  Karen Carter

  Karen has been actively working in the public sector since the age of 16, attaining a 10-year position as Disciplinary Manager at John Lewis.

  She now holds dual roles of Safeguarding Officer for St Paulinus Church, alongside Parochial Church Councillor, here in Crayford. Through these roles, Karen has acquired positive and productive knowledge with experience in holding workshops and lectures for all age groups and vulnerabilities.

  Type of Governor	Parent Governor
  Committee Membership	Crayford Academy LGB

  Appointment start date 01/01/2023

  Term of office – 4 years

  Resigned July 8^th 2024 via Emma Bryan

  Appointed by Appointed by the Trust Board in accordance with the Articles of Association

• Amy Price
  Co-opted Governor
  Amy Price

  Appointed by the Trust Board in accordance with the Articles of Association

  Amy has returned to Bromley after five years in Melbourne, Australia, where she worked for the Department of Education on early childhood policy (assessment for learning) and managed Victoria’s school governor training programme. Prior to leaving the UK, Amy worked for Ambition Institute, working with school and academy trust leaders and local authorities to set up hubs for middle and senior leadership programmes, to address education disadvantage. She was also previously a governor at a primary school in Croydon and greatly enjoyed the experience. Amy is currently a civil servant for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero.

  Appointed by the Trust Board in accordance with the Articles of Association

  Resigned due to giving birth early in July 2024 and moving from London to Kent

• Saskia Goldman
  Co opted Governor
  Saskia Goldman

  Hatcham Primary. Saskia works for the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, in climate change and development, and has worked in local government and the charity sector, delivering services for vulnerable groups.

  Saskia has been a safeguarding lead for services and is currently a Safeguarding Champion and trainer within her current role.

  When not at work, Saskia volunteers for homelessness charities and enjoys walking her rescue dog, Merlin, in south London's beautiful green spaces.

  First appointed 08/03/2021

  4 years

  resigned July 2024 to move to Sierra Leone working for Foreign office

• Ms Jean (Sarah) Taylor
  Former Co-opted Governor and Vice Chair HFS
  Ms Jean (Sarah) Taylor

  Former Governor Biography – Jean Taylor HFS

  Type of Governor	Chair
  Committee Membership	Hatcham Free school LGBC
  Appointment start date	08/03/2021
  Term of Office	4 years
  Appointed by	Elected by parents and appointed by the Trust Board in accordance with the Articles of Association.

  JT Resigned from HFS LGB on September 2^nd 2024

  Jean Taylor is a public policy researcher and consultant by background. More recently, she has worked in local government in roles leading strategy and policy development, with an emphasis on equalities. Previous voluntary roles include: acting as a volunteer mentor at Feltham Young Offenders Institution; as a volunteer tutor for children from disadvantaged backgrounds; and, as a ambassador for the Oxford University Target Schools Scheme. Jean has two daughters at Hatcham Free School.

• Charlotte Mackencie
  Former co-opted governor
  Charlotte Mackencie

  Charlotte Mackechnie works for a Teaching School Hub as a Senior Lead for Teacher Development and Specialist Leader of Education for English, Phonics and Leadership of CPD.

  Prior to that, she held a strategic leadership role across a multi-academy trust, as well as working as a class teacher in an inner London primary academy.

  Charlotte is driven by a passion for teaching and learning and is currently reading for a Master's in Applied Linguistics and Communication at Birkbeck, University of London and has been awarded the NPQSL, an MA in Education Practice and a BA (Hons) in Primary Teaching.

  Resigned with effect Sept. 10th 2024

• Cath Bartlett
  Former Co opted Governor
  Cath Bartlett

  Appointment start date:05/10/2023

  Term of office: 4 years

  Crayford Academy LGB

  Appointed by the Directors of the Trust Board in accordance with the articles of association.

  Catherine is responsible for UK Student Recruitment and all widening participation activity at Canterbury Christ Church University. She is part of the Senior Leadership Group at the University. Student Marketing, Events and Graduations also form part of her directorate.

  Prior to taking this role in 2023, Catherine was Director of Partnerships and Development at Haberdashers’ Academies Trust South, working closely and strategically with the Haberdashers’ Company to engage students and members with real world opportunities as part of the Haberdashers’ Advantage Programme.

  Catherine is passionate about education and equity for all. Previous experience includes heading up the employability division at London College of Fashion, developing partnerships at the University of Greenwich and teaching English at Changchun University, a multi-disciplinary university in Changchun, Jilin, China.

  Catherine earned a degree in English Language and Linguistics from Swansea University and an MA in Management of Teaching and Learning from Goldsmiths, University of London.

  In 2022, she relocated to the south coast with her husband and daughter and has since rediscovered a love of sea swimming, paddleboarding and coastal walks.

• Jemma Shanks
  Co-opted Governor
  Jemma Shanks

  Type of Governor	Co-opted Governor
  Committee Membership	Crayford Primary LGB
  Appointment Start Date	01/09/2021
  Term of office	4 years
  Appointed by	Appointed by the People Committee in accordance with the Scheme of Delegation and Articles of Association

  Jemma is a financial services lawyer, specialising in Disputes and Investigations for TLT LLP. Jemma primarily works with financial institutions in relation to complex disputes and contentious regulatory matters. Jemma has also worked in the public sector for the FCA, where she collaborated with other professionals to pursue enforcement actions against firms and individuals involving financial crime.

  Jemma studied History at the University of York, She worked at Harrow Schools Admissions department for 2 years, before undertaking her law conversion course and training contract, qualifying as a solicitor in 2012.

  Jemma lives in South-east London with her husband and 3 children.

• Sarah Mitchell
  Co-opted Governor
  Sarah Mitchell

  Type of Governor	Co-opted Governor
  Committee Membership	Hatcham College LGB
  Appointment Start Date	08/03/2021
  Term of office	4 years
  Appointed by	Appointed by the Directors of the Trust Board in accordance with the Articles of Association

  Sarah is a Headteacher of a Primary Academy in Bromley, having previously led a successful school in Croydon. She is also part of the senior STEP Academy Trust team, focusing on Inclusion across the organisation. Sarah has dedicated her career to providing the best quality education for all children, and is passionate about ensuring equity of opportunity for all.

  Sarah also works as a Development Partner at the Princes' Teaching Institute, an organisation devoted to supporting the professional development of teachers through high quality CPD and training. Before becoming a teacher, Sarah studied Archaeology at the University of Liverpool and has since worked in New York and London.

  Sarah is currently studying for a MBA in Educational Leadership. When not working or studying, you can usually find her in the yoga studio.

• Helen Hutton
  Co-opted Governor
  Helen Hutton

  Type of Governor	Chair
  Committee Membership	Slade Green Primary LGB
  Appointment Start Date	08/03/2021
  Term of office	4 years
  Appointed by	Appointed by the Trust Board in accordance with the Articles of Association

  Helen is a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers and currently sits on the Haberdashers' Property and Events Committees.

  She was previously a governor of the Haberdashers' Monmouth Schools.

  Helen is a planning and environmental solicitor at Charles Russell Speechlys and works in the London and Cheltenham offices. Helen read Classics at Oxford University where she also obtained a Full Blue in modern Pentathlon. She was a member of the Junior GB squad for Modern Pentathlon. She now stays moderately fit by cycling, running and climbing mountains, skiing and Scottish reeling!

• Rupert McNeil
  Nominated Director
  Rupert McNeil

  Type of Governor	Nominated Director
  Committee Membership	Trust Board and Chair of the People Committee
  Appointment Start Date	01/01/2021
  Term of office	4 years
  Appointed by	Appointed as a Director of the Trust Board by the Members of the Trust in accordance with the Articles of Association.

  Rupert is the UK Government Chief People Officer (GCPO) based in the Cabinet Office. He is responsible for Human Resources and workforce issues for the UK Civil Service. He started this role in January 2016, and prior to that held senior roles at Lloyds Banking Group, Aviva and Barclays, and was Partner at Arthur Andersen and Deloitte. Before joining Arthur Andersen in 1995, he worked at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

  He studied Politics & Philosophy at university, and went to secondary school in Aberdeen. He and his wife Nicole have two children: Sam, a lawyer, and Courtney, who is at university.

  Rupert is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD), and a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute (CMi). He is also a Non-Executive Director of the Government Property Agency (GPA).

• Monique Bertrand
  Former co-opted Governor Hatcham Free school
  Monique Bertrand

  Type of Governor	Co -opted Governor
  Committee membership	Haberdashers' Hatcham Free School
  Appointment start date	09/11/2021
  Term of office	4 Years
  Appointed by	Trustees.

  Monique Bertrand joins us as a governor and is also an Assistant Director of Education and Learning for a south London borough. She is driven by a passion to provide equality of opportunity for all young people. As an individual whose own life has been enriched by education despite the challenges presented when growing up and living in inner-city London, she passionately believes that education and social care must be delivered to the highest standard to enrich and change lives for the better. This philosophy has enabled her to break down barriers and enable students in her care, to achieve strong outcomes, have choices and go on to access top universities and pathways in the country.

• Linda Wake
  Elected Parent Governor
  Linda Wake

  Type of Governor	Elected parent governor
  Committee Membership	Crayford Academy LGB
  Appointment Start Date	08/03/2021
  Term of office	4 years
  Appointed by	Elected by Parents and appointed by the Trust Board in accordance with the Articles of Association

  A qualified Accountant and currently Chief Financial Officer and Board Director of a global research business, Linda has lived in the Crayford area for over 40 years. She is passionate that local children have access to excellent education and opportunities to achieve the best they can, and has experience in leading and supporting leadership teams to achieve their strategic objectives, including improving performance of employees, effectively managing budgets, improving communications as well as being responsible for Risk and Compliance globally.

• Janine La Rosa
  Former Parent Governor HPS
  Janine La Rosa

  type of Governor	Parent Governor
  Committee Membership	Hatcham Primary LGB
  Appointment Start Date	08/03/2021
  Term of office	4 years
  Appointed by	Elected by Parents and appointed by the Director of the Trust Board in accordance with the Articles of Association

  Janine is a Parent Governor at Hatcham Temple Grove, with a son who also attends the school.

  She is the Head of Equality and Inclusion London, for NHS England and NHS Improvement, providing proactive leadership, expertise and direction for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) activity across the region.

  As an EDI expert, Janine has led culture transformation programmes across large and complex public, private and third sector organisations.

  Before moving into EDI, Janine was a Management Consultant and Programme Manager, working ni the UK and overseas, delivering multi-million pound infrastructure and transformation programmes.

• Frank Ansah
  Former Parent Governor at Knights Academy
  Frank Ansah

  Type of Governor	Elected Parent Governor
  Committee Membership	Knights Academy LGB
  Appointment Start Date	08/03/2021
  Term of office	4 years
  Appointed by	Elected by Parents and appointed by the Trust Board in accordance with the Articles of Association

  Frank is currently a practicising solicitor, specialising in Family Law. He was born in Ghana, where he completed his sixth form education studying Physics, Chemistry and Biology, before moving to the United Kingdom.

  Frank attended Bromley College, where he studied law to become an Institute of Legal Executive. He then attended Holborn College under the University of London Programme, and completed a Diploma in Law. He then attended the University of Wales, where he achieved his LLB, and then went on to the University of Kingston, where he completed a Master's programme in Law.

  Frank then attended the University of Law (College of Law), where he undertook a Legal Practice course, and also completed a Master's in Business.