Chair
Simon Henderson has been Head Master of Eton College since September 2015, having previously been Head of Bradfield College and Deputy Head of Sherborne School.
Simon is a History graduate of Oxford University and began his teaching career at Windsor Boys’ School where he taught History and Politics, before his first spell at Eton, teaching History for 8 years.
Simon has experience as a governor at a range of schools in both the independent and state sectors, including Wycombe Abbey, Holyport College and the London Academy of Excellence. He was previously Chair of Trustees of the Bradfield Club, a youth club in Peckham.
Simon is married to Ali, a former civil servant who is CEO of Royal SpringBoard, a charity which works with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. They have four children.
Trustee
Head of Finance at the Royal Academy of Dance, Battersea.
Lakshmi is a qualified accountant who has a passion for dance and martial arts.
Having graduated as a Civil Engineer from Imperial College, London University she began her career with Tarmac Construction and then Mott MacDonald Consulting Engineers. After three years she decided to switch to a career in accountancy spending 15 years in the private sector. She then moved into the not-for-profit sector joining a human rights charity where she was instrumental in establishing an in-house accounting function. In her current role as Head of Finance at the Royal Academy of Dance she has had the rare opportunity to combine a successful career in Finance with her passion for dance.
Lakshmi is also a classically trained semi-professional dancer, choreographer and teacher and started her dance training at the tender age of 6. In 1990 she co-founded a Harrow based voluntary dance organisation (Academy of South Indian Arts) and was the driving force behind the organisation’s activities and numerous community projects. As a founder trustee, Lakshmi was instrumental in securing funding for numerous community arts projects in and around the Greater London area.
Her passion for martial arts led her to achieve a black belt 2nd dan in Kickboxing in 2017. She is currently a student in Muay Thai and trains regularly in this traditional Thai martial artform both in the UK and Sri Lanka.
Trustee
I’m a passionate professional with over 20 years’ experience of working in the Banking and Financial sector. Highly skilled in Business development within B2B environment and High networth Client Relationship Management. Experienced in managing Key stakeholders, Corporate Engagement, Networking ,Curating and delivering events, negotiation, collaboration. Ability to build strong longevous relationships delivering strategic growth & Commercials for clients and organisations. As a person I am innovative, meticulous, analytical and able to work strategically and logically under pressure.
I am a qualified Pilates and Barre instructor and currently instruct classes in my spare time. Wellness and fitness is a passion of mine along with learning new skills and having a growth mindset.
Favourite quote “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling , but rising every time we fall” – Nelson Mandela
Trustee
Ciaran has been practising law as a barrister for nearly 20 years, specialising in advising and acting as an advocate for clients in commercial and chancery disputes, including cases involving directors, trustees and other fiduciaries, and charities.
Before that he was as a fast-stream diplomat in HM Diplomatic Service, serving in various roles in Whitehall and overseas at the United Nations in New York and in the British Embassy in Lisbon.
Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and playing and watching a range of sports.
Trustee
Ciran Stapleton has 31 years of teaching experience and is currently in his 10th Year as Head Teacher of St Joseph’s Catholic High School, Slough.
Additionally, he has extensive proven successful experience of secondary school improvement at both School and Multi Academy level, as Executive Head, Lead and consultant, whilst at St Joseph’s.
In 2016, he set up the St Peter Catholic Academy Trust as CEO which was the forerunner to the St Thomas Catholic Academy Trust established in 2020 (which now consists of 15 schools) in which he acts as Secondary Improvement Advisor.
Co-Chair of Youth Advisory Board and Associate Trustee
Pharrell is a budding football talent with a penchant for intellectual growth, thrives on building relationships with peers and delving into scholarly texts.
Post-secondary school, he honed his athletics skills and academic prowess at QPR Youth academy securing credentials in sports science.
Now he balances post-time employment with his passion for sports, continuing to pursue his football dreams
Co-Chair of Youth Advisory Board and Associate Trustee
Susuana is an award-winning youth advocate. Led a national youth enquiry, published report “Our generations epidemic: Knife crime” with recommendations to Government to take a preventative public health approach to crime. Previous, youth representative for Safer Slough Partnership Board.
She studies social work, and founded social media platform to connect students with professionals. Placement as a safeguarding advisor, working with at risk young people using evidence based strategies. Panelist about black mental health and remodelling social work curriculum. Her ethos: “Reinstating public faith in social services” giving young people a good reason to trust professionals.
Campaigning for reform, in the education and youth justice system giving young people the best outcomes. The obstacles young people face should not limit them from reaching for their dreams.
