Governors

Mr Andy Rennison: Chair of Governors
Term of Office: from 04/07/23 to 03/07/27

I have worked in the Education Sector for the last 25 years, leading and developing the school funding formula, school organisation, place planning, and all support services for both the Public Sector as Assistant Director of Childrens Services and in the private sector as founder and Managing Director of 3BM.  I have been a Trustee in charities focused on disadvantaged young people and children with Autism and have over the years supported numerous Governing Bodies. 

Ms Joanna Buckenham: Vice Chair of Governors
Term of Office: from 27/06/23 to 26/06/2027

After graduating from Cambridge University, I worked in the Corporate Finance department of investment bank Morgan Stanley in both the London and Sydney offices. I then went on to run a firm of Lloyd’s international insurance and reinsurance brokers.  I have held various charitable positions which include Chair of the London branch of the Samaritans, as well as helping promote the role of senior executive women in the city. I enjoy watching and playing sport. Now only working in a non-executive and consulting capacity I have always felt that giving young people the best possible life chances is critical and this is one of my key reasons for becoming a governor at WMSF.

Ms Fatima Al-Ajami (Co-opted)
Term of Office: (currently on maternity leave)

I am a co-opted governor at William Morris, providing support to the CSC and H&S and Safeguarding committees. I work at an asset management company as a Risk and Internal Audit Manager. I obtained my B.A. in Middle Eastern Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) graduating with honours and obtained a Master’s degree in Politics at the University of London. As the first member of my family to go to university, I am a strong advocate of social mobility and believe that small enhancements in how students are supported can make a difference in a young person’s ability to thrive and succeed. I enjoy travelling and view exploring new cultures as the best way to learn and broaden ones’ horizons.

Mrs Lucia Al-Talal (Staff Governor)
Term of Office: from 12/10/2022 to 11/10/2026

Over 13 years I have served as Deputy Library Manager. I have contributed to planning and developing a library service praised by colleagues as proactive and effective and appreciated by students. I understand the WMSF context and ethos, the staff, the syllabus and most importantly the needs of our diverse student body. I fully support developing a positive whole school ethos and culture where students and staff are encouraged to promote growth of trust and mutual respect. I am collaborative, tactful and a good communicator with ample experience of working with students, teachers and occasionally parents/guardians. What I love about WMSF is the stimulating well-ordered environment for learning in which our students are inspired to thrive and succeed. 

I came to this country at a young age and worked exceptionally hard to learn English achieve and progress from school and onto university therefore I understand the struggles some of our students face and do my best to remove barriers to learning. I am a fluent Arabic speaker and a Chemistry science graduate from King’s College London and have an MSC in Library and Information Studies. As well as my library role I support ESL students by translating from English to Arabic so that they can understand, develop and achieve. I expect our students to leave WMSF as curious and confident learners equipped with the skills to extend and apply their knowledge, and the belief that learning is enjoyable and rewarding. I have.also worked for other educational institutions : Kingston University and Imperial College London.

Mr Ben Maiden (Co-opted)
Term of Office: from 31/07/2023 to 30/07/2027

I have a passion for education, coming from a family with a large number of teachers in it, as well as ensuring each student reaches their full potential after school by reducing barriers to aspiration and providing mentoring and support for those entering the world of work. I have a particular interest in social mobility into the finance and technology sectors.

I studied history at the University of Oxford, having grown up in Yorkshire. I spent 15 years working in corporate finance at Deloitte, UBS and most recently at Goldman Sachs where I co-ran the UK Mid-Cap Investment Banking business. I currently work at Hg Capital, a leading UK-based private equity firm focused on investing in software and services companies in Europe and North America.

Ms Charlotte Hart (Governor)
Term of Office: tba

After qualifying as a solicitor in 1988, I worked in private practice for around a decade, including in the City. I then moved into education, teaching law and vocational skills to post-graduates training to be lawyers. Since 2011, I have been a District Judge. I believe passionately in the power of education to broaden horizons and increase opportunity for all.

Dr Claire Gordon (Co-opted)
Term of Office: from 01/10/2022 to 30/09/2026

Ms Miranda Leney (Co-opted)
Term of Office: 17/10/2023 to 16/10/2027

Mr Thomas Killick (Co-opted)
Term of Office: 22/02/23 to 21/02/27

Ms Charlotte Hart (Co-opted)
Term of Office: 11/12/2023 to 10/12/2027

Ms Mary Berrisford (Principal)
Term of Office: from 10/08/2020 – ongoing