School Governance

I have been a Governor at The Gilberd School since 2000 and I am now chair of governors. It is a role that I enjoy enormously. I have particular interest in Human Resources and the quality of teaching and learning, Performance Management, and Continued Professional Development and Wellbeing. I was appointed as a Trustee of the Alpha MAT in April 2018.

Working as part of a dedicated governor group and a wider school team, our aim at The Gilberd School is to provide consistent, high-quality education and life skills for all students.

In my professional life I have worked for a major corporate organisation in a human resources and organisation development role. Since 1995 I have been director of a primary teacher recruitment agency.

I have been a Governor at The Gilberd School since 2009 and I am now vice chair of governors. I have particular interest in curriculum and student development and for student admissions. 

Prior to moving to Colchester, and before having children, I worked for many years as a quantity and costing surveyor for a national house builder, predominantly working within the Welsh and Midlands regions.  After moving to Colchester and having children, I became a swimming instructor working in primary schools and private swim schools.  I now work part time in a local primary school with Key Stage 2 pupils.

My three sons all attended The Gilberd School for their entire secondary education.  They have subsequently moved on to university.  I have remained a Governor at The Gilberd as I enjoy the role and am fully committed to ensuring that every student within the school receives the best possible education to help them to reach their full potential.

In my personal life I enjoy going to the theatre, swimming and trying to keep fit!

I have been a Governor at The Gilberd School for the past twelve years, initially as a parent governor.  My five children have enjoyed their secondary education at the school and are all now successful professionals in their fields. I have recently retired from a professional role as project and programme manager, leading globally diverse teams, in the implementation of global telecommunications solutions for multinational corporate organisations. My wife is a preschool teacher and I have a keen interest in the continuity and quality of teaching and learning of children, from their early years through to their readiness to embark on their professional career journeys.

I am married with two sons, one of whom attended The Gilberd School.

Born and educated in Ireland, I moved to London where I worked for many years with the homeless, managing a large direct-access hostel for men. With nineteen years’ experience as a Governor, I am passionate about ensuring that our young people get the best education and school experience possible – enabling them to achieve their full potential to live happy, fulfilling lives.

I am a volunteer at St Helena Hospice and an exam invigilator at The Gilberd. My interests include photography, reading, spending time with my family and visiting the theatre.

I moved to Essex in September 2021 from Northern Ireland. I am a Solicitor at Birkett Long, based in the Colchester office. As a regulated professional I have numerous skills which are transferable to being a Governor. I believe being approachable can improve communication between all levels of the school. I graduated from university in 2021 and believe my experience as a student throughout Covid can bring a different perspective to The Governing Body. I relate more to the students and their learning experience as it was not very long ago I was in the classroom! I hope, as a governor, to contribute to the continued success of the school, the quality of students’ education and school experience. In my spare time I like to explore with my little Westie, walking for hours and trying new foods.

Following 20 years working in legal finance and compliance, in recent years my professional world merged organically into legal compliance on a broader basis. This wealth of exposure to implementing compliance and procedures, business analysis, and awareness of the importance of inclusion and equality alongside, equips me with transferrable skills that I can lend to our Board.
I also have a vested interest in wellbeing, and in my spare time I have studied subjects including children’s mental health and awareness, and mental health ‘first aid’.
Raising two children I understand and value the importance of the schooling environment, and fully embrace the opportunity to “give back” to our wonderful schools, the students, and staff equally.

In October 2018, I assumed the role of Staff Governor. With a degree in Computer Science and over a decade of experience in IT, I strongly believe that my expertise can be instrumental in enhancing the school’s overall performance.

By fostering strong connections with both staff and students, I bring a unique perspective to the table that enables me to contribute positively to upcoming decisions and initiatives.

Outside of my professional life, I’m an avid guitar player in a signed metal band. I also undertake photography and filmography as hobbies and make it a priority to travel as much as possible.

I have over 10 years’ experience of governance at both primary and secondary schools. My professional background includes both marketing and education and I hold graduate and post graduate degrees in languages, communication, and business.
My marketing career of more than 20 years has been in international business within the private and the education sectors. This encompassed a multinational company as well as a Cambridge based technology start up company.
As a firm believer in the benefits of education for all, I retrained to become a qualified teacher, specialising in business and modern foreign languages.
In my personal time, I enjoy travelling, learning new languages, and reading as well as a range of sporting activities, such as skiing, scrambling, and running.

I work as the Finance Director for a PR Agency. I have a degree in Business and Finance and I am also a qualified primary school teacher. I lived in Texas for three years, where I worked in a Montessori school. I have lived in Colchester for 20 years and worked for several years in a local primary school before returning to a financial career. All three of my children attended The Gilberd, one of whom is currently at the school. I believe a well-rounded education lays the foundation for future success and I’m committed to ensuring that all children continue to have this opportunity at The Gilberd. In my spare time, I enjoy travelling, exploring with my dogs, and volunteering with a local Beaver Scout group.

I’m proud to be a school governor, bringing my experience in Advancement, Relationship Management and Philanthropy to the table. I’m skilled at building strong connections with people for a purpose, which I believe will benefit our school community. In my role as Advancement specialist, I’ve learned how collaboration can drive positive change, the importance of giving back and how education can transform lives. My career began as a Stage Manager in the theatre and this ignited my love for the arts. As a school governor, my goal is to create an inclusive and supportive space for all and encourage creative growth. I aim to enhance the learning experience and help every student thrive. Together, we can continue to make our school an inspiring place where students can truly shine.