Over the past year, we’ve been reflecting on how we can keep our governance fresh, effective, and ready for the future. One of the recommendations from our external governance review in Spring 2024 was to introduce a maximum term of service for Trustees and Governors - something the Trust Board agreed was the right step forward. This means that, during 2025, we are saying farewell to several of our longest-serving trustees, who have each given so much to the Trust over many years. At our July meeting, we shared our thanks and warm wishes with our Vice-Chair, Philip Taylor, and Trustee Nina Chabrier, as they stepped down from the Board.

At the same time, this year marks an exciting new chapter for the Trust Board. With our new strategy approved in Spring 2025, we have been looking for new trustees to bring fresh perspectives and help us deliver on our ambitions for the future. Following a highly competitive recruitment process, we’re delighted to share that Emily Tofield has been appointed as our Chair Designate and will take over from Sandy Gillett in December 2025. You can read more about Emily’s appointment here.

In addition to Emily Tofield as Chair Designate, we have also been recruiting for new board members, appointing five new trustees to the Board:

• Professor Laura Peters has joined the Board as a Trustee and will take over as Chair of Admissions Committee in January 2026, when the current chair leaves the role. Having worked at the University of Roehampton for over 20 years, Professor Peters has recently joined West Dean College as Vice-Principal and brings extensive experience of working in Higher Education to the Board.
• Anouschka Elliott is a senior financial services executive with over 25 years of experience spanning investment banking, asset management, and brand strategy. She has held global leadership roles at firms including Goldman Sachs Asset Management, UBS, and RBC, where she built and led high-performing teams across marketing, client engagement and business development.
• Lynne Chambers is a Partner at Praesta, the UK’s leading firm of executive coaches, where she works with CEOs, board directors and senior leaders across private and public sectors. She has a BA in French & German from Durham University and an MBA from Bayes (formerly City) Business School. She was previously a Trustee at School Home Support and Chair of the Charity Committee at the London Stock Exchange Group.
• Chris Chant also joined the Board this year and is currently a Deputy Director at the Ministry of Defence, with an experienced career in numerous Civil Service and military roles. Chris has volunteering experience within the public sector, having previously served on the Children and Young People’s Committee within the London Borough of Bromley and brings a wealth of experience in managing complex projects to the Trust Board.
• James Brown was also been appointed to the Trust Board earlier this year. James is currently Chief Finance Officer at Aquinas Church of England Trust and has a background across other multi-academy trusts and within audit. James and Chris have also joined as members of the Trust Finance Committee.

You can read more about the Trust Board here.