Chris Drury – Chair of Trustees and Local Governing Body

I have a wide experience at Board level in finance, policy, business change and project management. Both of my daughters attended New Haw Community School which led to my involvement with the Trustees and Governing Body for the past 8 years.

I took early retirement 3 years ago following 28 years’ service with Kraft Heinz Company. My last full-time role was Head of Procurement Operations for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Currently, I am working part-time for an Education Trust supporting their procurement process.

I trained as an Engineer, holding a B.Eng. from Cardiff and an MSc. from Warwick.

Rohit Nanda – Vice Chair of Trustees and Local Governing Body

(Chair of Finance & Resources Committee)

After over 25 years of working in a range of sectors globally including engineering, fintech and capital markets, I now run a business growth consultancy for small and medium size businesses.

As Chair of the Finance and Resources Committee and a member of the Governing Board since May 2021, I contribute to a variety of governance areas and am committed to supporting the school in any way that I can. One of the reasons for applying to join the Governors’ was to gain an insight into the workings of the school and hopefully leverage some of my experience and knowledge to help the school become an even better place for our children to thrive. Most recently I have been appointed to the Board of Trustees.

I currently have two children at New Haw Community School after my eldest left last summer and in between work and family, I am a keen diver, a poor golfer and can often be found spending my ‘free time’, watching a variety of sports.

Ian Bacon - Trustee

I have 36 years of experience working in the food industry - 26 years with Unilever in a variety of roles, and subsequently 10 years with Tate & Lyle Sugars as Chief Executive.

I retired in 2015 and have spent much of my time learning to play golf, interspersed with some volunteering, initially with the Community Rehabilitation Company mentoring people on probation. I currently volunteer with the British Red Cross as part of the “Home from Hospital” team.

I have previous involvement with New Haw as both of my daughters attended the school. At that time, I was elected as a parent governor and served as Chair of the Finance Committee.

Marie Cahill  - Trustee (Exec Headteacher)

Lizzie Linnegar - Trustee (Deputy Headteacher)

Elizabeth Carter-McQueen - Trustee

I have been in education for nearly 20 years and have worked in schools both in Surrey and Richmond.  I worked at New Haw for 13 years where I was also a staff governor and Trustee.  I am now Headteacher at The Raleigh primary school in West Horsley. 

Joan Read – Local Governing Body

I am Joan Read, a retired civil servant. I have been a member of the local governing body at New Haw for several years, and am currently in the SEND and Safeguarding governor role. I also visit the school weekly as a reading volunteer.

Michelle Austin – Trustee

I am Michelle Austin. I have been a School Business Manager for over 10 years and am currently part of the Senior Leadership Team at Meath School in Ottershaw.  I also bring my experience as a qualified accountant and teacher to the Governing Body.  I have two daughters, one of whom is thriving at New Haw, while the other is looking forward to starting at the school in September 2022.

Dan Stent - Local Governing Body

(Vice Principal Fullbrook Secondary School)

Emma Powell - Local Governing Body

I have over 20 years experience in the public sector, with a strong background in safeguarding. I have held a variety of leadership positions, and I currently lead a Department engaged in child safeguarding/tackling online exploitation. I have one child currently in Year 4 at New Haw Junior School, and another in Year 1 at The Grange, so I am keen to support the School in any way I possibly can. I am currently supporting the Safeguarding Governor role, and hope that my experience can be put to good use in order to assist and support the School.

Lianne Clark - Local Governing Body

After 17 years in corporate Health Insurance, working in Senior Leadership roles across Sales and Retention and qualifying as an Executive Coach, I began my own business in 2020. I support businesses with their people strategy, through Leadership Coaching, Training and Personal Development. I hope to bring my people centric approach to the team and the school. I enjoy being part of a team, working together to achieve better outcomes and what better place than a school to help our children and their futures. I’m very positive and like to think I bring positive energy to whatever I do, a sense of fun, enjoyment, and wellbeing. My son is at New Haw Community School and my daughter has recently moved on secondary school life.

Aside from managing my business, being a mum, I like my sports and the gym – this compensates for my love of food and the odd glass of wine or two!