Governors
To get in touch with the Governors, please email governors@saracenshigh.org or send a letter to Ruth Sack, Chair of Governors, care of: Saracens High School, Corner Mead, Colindale, London, NW9 4AS.
All Governors were appointed by the Trust.
The Clerk to the Governors can be contacted via email at clerk@saracensmat.org
All Governors attend Local Governing Body meetings.
Register of Business Interests
Governors’ Record of Attendance
News
We are pleased to announce that Ruth Sack has been voted in as Chair of Governors of Saracens High School, following Kevin Perry moving to chair the Trustees of Saracens Multi-Academy Trust. Kevin chaired the Governors expertly for the first five years of the school’s life and it is a privilege to now benefit from his experience at the Multi-Academy Trust. Ruth has served as a Governor since 2021 and is excited to succeed Kevin in this important role:
“It is a privilege to take over the role from Kevin, who has done an outstanding job as Chair from before the school opened, to where it is today. As we move into the next phase with the first Year 11 GCSEs this summer and our sixth form opening in September, I’m delighted to be continuing this work. Together with our wonderful team of Governors and outstanding teachers, we will strive to achieve the very best outcomes for our Saracens High School pupils.”
Ruth has a business background which brings an unusual combination of expertise in finance, coaching, strategic leadership, board roles and charity activities. Founder of The Alliance, a coaching partnership, she takes pride in doing important work that makes a positive difference, whatever the sector. In all her work, Ruth’s rich professional experience, her energy and her passion enable her to support people and teams through change.
She is excited to bring all of those skills to Saracens High School as Chair of Governors, having been part of the Saracens family for many years with a son who played for the youth team from ages 6–18.
Ruth Sack, Chair of Governors
Ruth has a business background which brings an unusual combination of expertise in finance, coaching, strategic leadership, board roles and charity activities. Founder of The Alliance, a coaching partnership, she takes pride in doing important work that makes a positive difference, whatever the sector. In all her work, Ruth’s rich professional experience, her energy and her passion enable her to support people and teams through change.
She is excited to bring all of those skills to Saracens High School as Chair of Governors having been part of the Saracens family for many years with a son who played for the youth from ages 6 – 18.
Term of office: 8/7/21 – 7/7/25; Governor
Ann Bunyard
Ann started her working career as a secretary and later spent 3 years working in Germany where she was able to use and improve her language skills. On her return to England she followed various paths including training to be a German teacher.
Her husband started his own solicitor’s practice where she ran the office and did the accounts.
She is a keen supporter of Saracens Rugby Club and has a good understanding of team values; she is a firm believer in sports and activities for young people as she is certain that these are an essential part in helping them socially and educationally with their future lives.
Term of Office: 1/9/2022 – 31/8/2026; Governor
Howard Berg
Howard started his professional life in the Lloyds Banking Group where he eventually became a senior Manager in the Card and Payments group.
For the last 20 years Howard has worked for Thales in the field of Digital security which includes the production of many of the UK’s chip payment and SIM card, secure documentation such as Passports and Driving licenses and methods for the protection of individuals and organisations when transacting in the “on-line” world.
Earlier in his career Howard spent many years as a part time youth worker working in both Barnet and Camden in a number of different settings.He qualified as a part time youth worker through the LFBC, now called London Youth.
Howard was Chair of a large youth and Community centre in the West Hampstead area for 7 years catering for young people from the age of 7 to 25 years old.
Howard has been a supporter of Saracens for over 25 years and is a Patron and Sponsor of the Saracens Foundation.
Term of Office: 8/7/21 – 7/7/25; Governor
Katie Carr
Katie is a banking & finance lawyer and as such has a great appreciation for attention to detail, organisation and healthy negotiation. She has the ability to think outside the box, come up with creative solutions and is very personable. Living locally to the school, Katie brings a community benefit angle to her role as governor.
Outside of her day job, Katie coordinates events for The Grief Network, a community organisation running regular events for the young bereaved and she has previously been involved in a number of both paid and voluntary roles supporting students and children.
Term of office: 8/7/21 – 7/7/25; Governor
Lynda Corry
Lynda is an ISI School Inspector and an experienced educational leader, having held the roles of Head teacher, Deputy head teacher, Head of Department, teacher, and governor, in both the independent and maintained education sectors.
She has over 20 years’ experience in safeguarding roles in a number of schools, 17 years of which have been as the Designated Safeguarding Lead in the relevant school.
Term of office: 1/9/22 –1/9/2026; Governor
Nigel Denison
After graduating in French and German from Cambridge University, Nigel spent 35 years working in the City.
He spent 15 years at the Barclays Group trading interest rates and foreign exchange, before moving to the German Bank WestLB as Head of European Sales in the Global Financial Markets Division. In his last role he was a founder Director of the Bank of London and the Middle East, which became the largest standalone Islamic Bank in Europe.
Nigel combines an interest in languages with a love of travel and is an enthusiastic, if incompetent, golfer! He is also a long term season-ticket holder at Saracens Rugby Club.
Term of office: 23/3/23 – 22/3/37 Governor
Jim Dickin
Jim Dickin is Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Designated Safeguarding Lead at Mill Hill School.
Over his career he has worked in a variety of Schools both in the UK and New Zealand. He is married with four daughters, all of whom were born in New Zealand.
He has a Masters in Educational Leadership from Auckland University having initially studied Physical Education at Exeter University.
Term of Office: 20/1/20 – 20/1/24; Governor
Peter Harvey
Birmingham born and bred, during 34 years at Barclays, Peter undertook a variety of roles culminating in being CEO of the Corporate and Commercial Bank and Vice-Chair of UK banking.
After then undertaking a variety of non executive roles in a mutual, a PLC, a partnership, and a family owned business, he now focuses on being a mentor ( largely pro bono) to a variety of adults and students. The adults are largely business people or Saracens players considering life after rugby.
His current work with students, largely based in the north of England, came about by undertaking a talk and a q&a session at state schools organised by Robert Peston’s speakers for schools charity.
Peter is now excited to having been appointed as a Governor at the Saracens High School, focussing on Finance,People and Premises.
Term of office: 3/12/22 – 3/12/2026; Governor
George Nnochiri
George has run his own company for over 25 years providing business and project management consultancy to a wide variety of institutions ranging from start-ups through to major financial companies. He is also a director of two other companies and consequently offers additional key skills such as organisational and financial management.
He has previously served for over 10 years as a governor at a primary school including being the chair of the governing body for a number of years, overseeing three Ofsted inspections at the school. He also served as chair of the finance and premises committees at the school. He therefore brings with him extensive experience in school oversight and significant knowledge of the operation and requirements of governing bodies.
He has a great interest in child and youth development matters, both academic and sporting. Examples of his involvement include previously helping with youth sports teams, providing guidance on university applications and advising on the development of associated personal statements.
Term of office: 28/03/2023 – 27/3/2027; Governor
Belinda Rasmussen
Belinda is Managing Director of Macmillan Children’s Books, one of the leading children’s publishers in the UK. Belinda has been in publishing for 30 years, predominantly specialising in children’s books, but also got an MBA from the London Business School during this time.
She is passionate about how to improve literacy and how to reach children who haven’t got easy access to books. In partnership with Marcus Rashford, Magic Breakfast and the National Literacy Trust, Macmillan runs the Marcus Rashford Book Club, its aim is to give books to the close to 400,000 children in the UK who don’t own a book of their own.
Term of office: 13/3/23 – 12/3/27 Governor
Parent Governors:
Michael Green
Michael has lived locally for most of his life and his child attends the school. Several members of his family work in education.
Michael has enjoyed a varied career, working in retail, head office and product management roles in the UK, Europe and the Far East. He now runs an audio visual installations company.
In his spare time he enjoys travelling to sunnier climates, listening to music, growing tropical style plants and maintaining his classic car.
Term of office: 8/12/22 – 7/12/26; Governor
Aramide Oke
Staff Governors:
Valerie Nembhard
Valerie has over 15 years experience of teaching Design and Technology, having worked in a breadth of schools across north London. She has been a KS3 Coordinator and a Head of Department.
Valerie holds a Masters degree in Education and has worked as an AQA GCSE examiner. She also has extensive experience of Special Educational Needs having worked in specialist provision for SEN and is currently completing a level 2 in Autism Awareness. Valerie also has a qualification in therapeutic care for children.
Valerie has been on staff at Saracens High School since September 2022.
Term of office: 9/11/22 – 8/11/26; Governor
Matthew Stevens, Principal
Ex Officio Governor
Resignations
Bina Omare, 1/10/18 – 15/1/21 Business interests included in main document.