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Governors

The School Governing Board is a committed group of experts in their field. They are our ambassadors and advisors. Their support helps us deliver quality education and opportunities for current and future pupils.

While the GDST Council has legal responsibility for the overall operation and governance of the Trust, the School Governing Board plays an integral part in making it all happen.

At a local level, the Board supports our Head, Julie Keller, helps the Senior Leadership Team to deliver the school’s strategy, promotes the school, and monitors our performance.

 

 

 

 

 

Emma Wilson

Chair of Governors

As an Alumna of NGHS, Emma brings her passion and expertise to our Board of Governors and is currently Professor of Public Health in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Nottingham. She believes in harnessing young people’s talent through excellent education, and is passionate about Nottingham and its neighbouring community.

Tim Cobb

Tim has been a friend of NGHS since his daughter attended the Senior School, graduating in 2008. He is an advocate for the benefits of an all-girl education and the progressive approach of the school, having seen his daughter truly excel here. Tim has enjoyed a successful career in fundraising, and supported us in developing our philanthropy strategy during 2021 and 2022. He enabled a number of girls to benefit from an NGHS education through his fundraising expertise, his local networking connections and his genuine passion for the school.

Anita Davies

Anita Davies is a Deputy lieutenant for Nottinghamshire and undertakes duties on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant. Supporting the civic and public life of the County and City of Nottingham is an aspect of the role that she particularly values. Anita is also the founder In2People, a Human Resources and Organisational Development Consultancy located in Nottingham. With a national portfolio, Anita works tirelessly with senior executives and boards to help to transform the leadership and culture of their organisations, Anita is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and a non-executive director for an NHS provider of health and social care.

Antonia Gardner

Antonia is a Partner at Gunnercooke LLP, specialising in commercial real estate, prior to which she worked with national law firms Eversheds LLP and Geldards LLP. She advises on landlord and tenant work, sales, purchases and lettings of commercial properties, acting for major corporate occupiers, pension funds, SMEs and high-net-worth individuals. She enjoys becoming involved with and understanding her clients’ businesses and commercial drivers, and building long-lasting relationships with her clients, which are all useful assets for the School’s Governing Body. Antonia is one of our main advocates for safeguarding, meeting with our Designated Safeguarding Lead ahead of every Governing Board meeting.

Dr Geeta Lakshmi

We were delighted to welcome Dr Geeta Lakshmi to the NGHS governing body during 2021.  Geeta has been working in the International University sector since 1982. She is currently an Associate Professor at Lincoln Business School, University of Lincoln.  Her undergraduate and masters degrees are from the University of Delhi and she received her doctorate in Financial Economics from the University of Exeter in 1996. Geeta has supervised PhD students to completion and is a published researcher, contributing to several international journals. Her contribution to civic life includes her position as Chair to the Parish of Hockerton, Nottinghamshire (2005-2010). She is the Co-Founder and Director of Sustainable Hockerton, a community energy company in Nottinghamshire and is also a director of Grimsby Community Energy, Lincolnshire.  Geeta’s passion for meaningful education and sustainability have led to her connecting with NGHS and we are thrilled to benefit from her experience and expertise.

Mark Onyett

Originally from Cambridgeshire, Mark has lived in the Nottingham area for the past 25 years. Mark graduated from Cambridge University with a BA and MEng in Manufacturing Engineering and worked briefly in engineering before a long career in finance and technology. Mark started his own business in data and analytics technology in 2004 in Nottingham city centre and it grew to over 350 people before a successful exit to Equifax PLC. Mark now works as a non-exec with a number of technology and engineering start up and growth businesses. Having served previous as a primary school governor, and trustee of a number of charity groups, Mark is keen to bring his business and entrepreneurial experience to the Governing Body.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professor Rakesh Patel

We are thrilled to have Rakesh on board as a member of our governing body in 2022. Originally from Croydon South London, Rakesh comes to us with a wealth of skills and experience. Rakesh graduated from the University of Leicester Medical School in 2002 with a degree in Medicine, and completed specialty training in renal and general internal medicine in the East Midlands. He later completed his Masters degree at the University of Dundee in 2011 and a Doctoral degree at the University of Leicester in 2012. Rakesh was awarded National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Lectureship in Medical Education 2012-2016 and took up his post as Clinical Associate Professor in Medical Education at the University of Nottingham and Honorary Consultant Nephrologist at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust in 2016. He has also been Education Associate for the General Medical Council since 2016 and has worked in external examinerships at the Universities of East Anglia, Newcastle and Oxford. His strong passion for Early Years and secondary education, and in particular driving forward equality, diversity and inclusion interventions among pupils from under-represented backgrounds, makes him a very valuable addition to our team.

 

David Stewart OBE

We’re delighted to have David’s guidance and support on our governing body.  Former Head Teacher and expert in special educational needs, David is also a true ambassador for the arts.  David is passionate about supporting children’s learning journeys and brings a wealth of expertise in this area. We benefit from David’s collaboration and guidance and are thrilled to have him on the board.

Rita Wynne

Educated initially in York before obtaining an Honours degree in Mathematics at Nottingham University, and later a PGCE at Nottingham Trent University, Rita has recently retired from her teaching position at Nottingham Girls’ High School. Rita was a well-respected member of the Maths Department, taught PE during her twelve years at the school and had responsibility for the pastoral care of Year 7. She is delighted to be part of the Governing Body of NGHS and looks forward to continuing her valued relationship with the school. Rita is one of our key advocates for safeguarding, with part of her Governor’s responsibilities including regular meetings with the Designated Safeguarding Lead.