Our Governors

With 30 years of experience in the engineering industry, spanning both public and private sectors, Alison has led businesses and projects globally in defence, nuclear, and mining. As a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, she is passionate about STEM and the career opportunities these subjects offer to the next generation. Her extensive experience includes serving on several advisory and FTSE Boards, where she has shaped and driven the strategic direction of companies. Alison brings this wealth of experience to Crosfields, helping to prepare pupils for the future.

Mark is the Head of a Prep School in Richmond-upon-Thames, King’s House School, which is for children from 3-13 years old. He is a member of IAPS and Chairs the London 1S District Heads’ group. He is the designated Safeguarding Governor for Crosfields, and as such works closely alongside the Safeguarding Team at the school. He is married with four children, and enjoys various sports, playing the piano, quizzes and crosswords.

Charlie is an experienced Director of Estates who has led and managed Estates teams in complex projects such as a new state-of-the-art theatre, Eco building, Art & Mathematics STEAM building, commercial kitchen and dining facilities to name a few. He is a member of the British Institute of Facilities Management (BFIM) and is passionate about investing people to achieve greatest organisational outcomes.

Colin is a chartered accountant and a director of Hypnos Limited. He has been involved with the financial management of Independent Schools for forty years. Colin is Chair of Trustees at The Pace Centre in Aylesbury, Chair of Governors at Manor Green School in Maidenhead, and Trustee of Prior’s Court Foundation in Newbury. He was appointed Governor at Orley Farm School in Harrow in 1999, serving as Chair for fifteen years until 2022. Colin joined the Board in January 2025 and Chairs the Finance and Operations Committee.

Deborah is an Assistant Head at Davenies School overseeing Pastoral, Safeguarding and Pre-Prep. She was appointed to the board in September 2021 as EYFS Governor. She has two daughters and is an enthusiastic follower of rugby.

Elona is the Chief Executive Officer of IRIS Software Group, one of the largest privately held global software businesses. IRIS provides software to over 50% of England schools including software such as finance, HR, Payroll, MIS, engagement, SMS, Payments etc and connects over four million parents and guardians with their schools though their Parentmail and iSams applications.

Elona graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Accounting and Economics and is a Fellow Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of senior experience in Big 4 and various executive and board roles. Elona is passionate about diversity and mentoring those from under privileged and under-represented backgrounds.

Ian has over 30 years’ experience in the investment and financial services sector working in the UK, Europe and Middle East. In his last role he was the Chief Operating Officer for a multi-asset private investment firm responsible for Risk Management, Investment Operations, Compliance, Finance, IT and HR. He is a Chartered Accountant (ACA) and CFA Charter Holder (Chartered Financial Analyst).

Joe joined the board at the end of 2018 and currently chairs the Finance & Operations Committee. He has over 25 years’ experience of building software for the financial services industry and has two children currently at the school.

Lindsey has been Headmistress of Channing in Highgate, North London, since September 2020.

Moving into teaching after a brief career in communications and charity work, including as administrator of Sir Peter Lampl’s Sutton Trust, Lindsey started her career in the state sector before moving to the independent sector.  She has worked in all-boys, co-ed, and, in the second half of her career, in all-girls schools.

Lindsey is Vice-Chair of the GSA Education Committee and is the GSA representative on the Council of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), where she sits on the Curriculum & Assessment Committee. She is the President-Elect of the GSA.

Dr Liz is a clinical psychologist with over 11 years’ experience of working with children and young people with mental health and behavioural needs. She set up and runs Every Mind Child Psychology, a clinic for autistic children and their families to receive diagnosis and ongoing therapeutic support.

Dr Liz had recently joined Crosfields Board of Governors as the Wellbeing Governor. She is keen to ensure Crosfields provides the best mental health and wellbeing support for students and staff, throughout the entire school. Dr. Liz is also a Crosfields parent, with two girls already in the school and another to follow in a few years time.

Mark, an Oxford Chemistry graduate, is the Senior Deputy Head of City of London School. With 20 years of experience in teaching, leadership, and management across leading girls’, boys’, and co-educational schools, he joined the Board in 2020 and now serves as Chair of the Education Committee.

Michelle joined the Board of Governors in August 2023 and sits on the Finance & Operations Committee. With a long and varied career in senior Estates leadership roles across a variety of different educational establishments, Michelle hopes to bring this experience to support Crosfields in the best management and development of its estate. Michelle has one son in university and a variety of different pets at home.

With 25 years spent in B2C industries such as FMCG, fintech, and proptech, Sarah sits on our Finance & Operations Committee. She brings significant commercial experience in marketing, analytics, innovation, and strategic planning.

She co-founded an online business, has been a Board Advisor to local charities and young businesses, and is a trained mentor supporting the UK Government’s Help to Grow business programme. With a degree in Neuroscience and a passion for data-driven decision-making coupled with clarity of communication, Sarah is an advocate for a broad education that enables young people to discover and hone all their talents.

Shashi has been a Governor at Crosfields for many years. She graduated with a law degree and then read a Masters in Law. She qualified as a solicitor in 1998 and has been a practicing solicitor for over twenty years. She works in Berkshire where she also lives with her family. She has two sons, her youngest joined Crosfields in Nursery and is currently enjoying studying for his GCSEs at Crosfields.