Nicola joined the team in September 2024 having most recently worked for three years as a school business manager in a state sixth form, a role in which she was responsible for many of the non-teaching parts of running a school including finance, funding applications, an expansion project and estate management. Prior to this Nicola worked for many years in finance leadership roles in the corporate sector.  During this time, she organised work experience for pupils from local schools, a hugely rewarding experience which led to her interest in education and her change of sector. Nicola is a chartered accountant.

Sarah brings over 15 years’ experience in charity leadership and governance building on 16 years in the private sector in Finance, Communications and IT. She has led successful transition programmes and facilitated major new strategy developments in both the private and charity sectors. Sarah brings to the Foundation a lifelong personal commitment to creating opportunities and equity for young people, alongside a belief in education that encourages students to find and develop their talents and passions and be inspired about the future.

Don is a freelance governance consultant and trainer who provides a variety of support services to charities, local authorities and other organisations. He has a wide background in finance, politics and administration. He has held several senior roles in the finance sector, and most recently was Head of Operations for the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny charity. Throughout his working life Don has undertaken community and civic roles. He was a councillor and deputy leader, and Cabinet Member for Finance & Corporate Services in the London Borough of Bexley. He was a Governor and then Independent Chair on the Audit Committee at Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance. He was also a member of the court of the University of Kent and served as a magistrate on the South-East London Bench for 17 years.