MEET THE MEMBERS AND TRUSTEES

Member - Jenny Barrow

Jenny has been working in the field of Inclusion and Diversity for over 15 years. Throughout her career, she has worked in many settings with senior leaders, managers and teams to equip them to build inclusive cultures where everyone can thrive. 

Previously, Jenny was Head of Corporate Responsibility for the Financial Conduct Authority, a role she held for over four years.  She developed and implemented the regulator’s Diversity and Inclusion strategy which included responsibility for discharging the FCA’s duties under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

As well as prior experience as a Vice Chair of Governors of a local school, Jenny is member of the Advisory Group Fair By Design, a movement dedicated to ending the poverty premium.

Member - Victoria Blakeman

Victoria is Director of Offender Management and Specialist Services at Prospects Services.

Prior to joining Prospects, in her role as an International Counter-Terrorism Consultant, Victoria advised the UK Government and UN on counter-terrorism measures in the rehabilitation of offenders and management of prison populations in places such as Somalia, Somaliland, Kenya, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Algeria and Tajikistan.

Victoria served as the Head of UK Corrections and Detentions in Afghanistan and was involved in the construction and restructure of management at Lashkar Gar prison.

Victoria has previously worked at HMP Garth in various operational governor roles and HMP Chelmsford, where she was Deputy Governor, after initially joining HM Prison Service as a direct entrant to bring in a new perspective to change the culture.  Prior to joining the prison she worked in adult and youth training, and the FE sector.

Victoria is a Director at Blackpool Sixth Form College, a Governor at Brookfield Special School on the Fylde Coast, and a Trustee of the Cascade Foundation, a charity that works with people with dyslexia and head injuries.

Member - Tony Brett Young 

Tony Brett Young has had a long association with The Limes College, initially as chair of the Management Committee from 2006 to 2010, and subsequently as chair of its Resources Committee from May 2016 till June 2017. 

As Lead Councillor for Children, Young People and Learning Services on Sutton Council he was closely involved in the rebuilding and upgrading of the College in 2010-2011.

Tony was involved in media throughout his working life, latterly as Head of Public Affairs at the Australian High Commission in London.  He is now retired, but maintains a keen interest in activities supporting vulnerable children and young people.

Member - Shirley Meyers

Shirley is passionate about childcare and child development, with over 15 years’ experience working with children in nursery, school and church settings. To complement her experience, she also has the required childcare qualifications. In addition, Shirley has experience in safeguarding, first aid and health and safety. She has served as a mentor to students under the Young Enterprise scheme and also as a Careers Advisor. 

In her day job, Shirley is an experienced marketing communications and events professional with a demonstrated history of working in the law practice industry for over 15 years.   

Shirley read Politics at university and represented the County/Borough in athletics. Further, she sings with the award-winning gospel soul choir, IDMC.  She has also used her modelling career to assist in the promotion of charitable causes, which she continues to devote much of her time to. At the heart of all this, Shirley has a deeply rooted belief in traditional values and places her family as a priority.

Member - Claire Morris

Claire’s career has been dedicated to global health and development, specialising in sexual, reproductive, maternal, and newborn health. With 25 years of experience spanning both non-profit and private sectors, she currently serves as an independent consultant, advising non-profit organisations committed to enhancing the well-being of women and children in Africa.

Prior to her consultancy role, Claire held key leadership positions at MSI Reproductive Choices, a prominent global organization devoted to delivering reproductive health services. She worked for Babylon Health, a pioneering health technology startup, where she explored innovative ways to expand access to primary care services for marginalised communities in low and middle income countries.

Claire had the opportunity to engage in the education sector by serving as a governor at a primary school in Brent for eight years. Initially joining as a parent governor, she later became a co-opted governor, fulfilling roles such as safeguarding governor, vice-chair, and eventually chairing the Governing Body for five years.

Claire currently sits on the Board of Trustees for MSI Reproductive Choices and Options for International Health, organisations dedicated to improving sexual and reproductive health and rights worldwide.

Chair of Trustees - Sam Guy

Sam has worked in international development for over 25 years.  She is currently a freelance Special Adviser at AmplifyChange, focusing on strategic engagement, governance and resource development.

Prior to this, Sam held a range of leadership positions with Marie Stopes International, the leading sexual and reproductive health agency focusing on advocacy and policy, communications, strategy and development, project management and corporate governance.  She has worked closely with a range of global partners including non-government agencies, governments, UN bodies and private trusts and foundations.

Sam is a trained Beanstalk reading helper and volunteers at Wimbledon FoodBank.  She was also a member of The Limes College Local Governing Body from 2017 to 2020.

Trustee - Jenny Barrow

Jenny has been working in the field of Inclusion and Diversity for over 15 years. Throughout her career, she has worked in many settings with senior leaders, managers and teams to equip them to build inclusive cultures where everyone can thrive. 

Previously, Jenny was Head of Corporate Responsibility for the Financial Conduct Authority, a role she held for over four years.  She developed and implemented the regulator’s Diversity and Inclusion strategy which included responsibility for discharging the FCA’s duties under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Trustee - Robin Bishop 

Robin is an architect, now retired after a career dedicated chiefly to educational and social buildings.  During 12 years at the Department for Education, he became leader of the SEND, EY and Primary Design Team. Consultancy followed, including 12 years as a RIBA Client Design Adviser, working with councils, academy sponsors, contractors and design teams on mainstream, special school and PRU projects across England – including improvements to The Limes College.

For many years Robin also taught part-time in schools of architecture and adult education. He is currently a primary school Governor, Trustee of another MAT and Chair of The Barnet Society.

Trustee - David Johnston

David has had a career in Local Government, working both with and on behalf of children and families. He trained as a Residential Social Worker and worked in children’s homes and day care. During 19 years with Croydon Council David worked in the registration and inspection of children’s day care and children’s homes, then developing Early Years’ Services and latterly planning, developing and commissioning Children’s Centres.  David has held budget responsibility for a number of years, firstly as a Day Nursery Manager and then as Early Years’ Manager. Finally, as Children’s Centre Manager he had full responsibility for the council’s substantial Children’s Centre Revenue and Capital Budgets.

David became involved with Cotelands PRU when it moved to new premises and opened a nursery for the children of Key Stage 4 and 5 pupils. He joined the Management Committee at its inception and offered to become Chair after his retirement.  He was a supporter of the federating of the Croydon PRU Management Committees and was asked to Chair the new Federated Saffron Valley MC.  Recently, the secondary phase PRUs have amalgamated into one single PRU.  David oversaw this process and is now Chair of the single Saffron Valley Collegiate PRU Management Committee.

David was on the Finance sub-committee and is currently responsible for a budget of over £5 million.  David became involved in the discussions regarding the formation of the Alternative Learning Trust MAT in this role.

Outside of PRU matters, David is involved with his local church. He has just become a student again, and is half way through a part time BA course in Theology.

Trustee - James Munro  

James has worked in IT within the education and government sectors for over twenty years.  His most recent role was that of Chief Information Officer for a large multi-academy trust with over forty schools.  Prior to that, James worked as a Digital Enterprise Architect in local government, designing ways in which IT can support business areas to transform how they deliver service.  He has also taught in schools at secondary level.  James currently works for the Department for Education as an Advisor on IT projects.

Trustee - Tim Pollen 

Tim is a Managing Consultant for Solirius Consulting specialising in Project and Delivery Management.

Tim spent many years in the Civil Service as an Operational Manager leading large teams delivering a service to the public where he qualified as a project manager and Agile project manager. He has delivered several large scale projects, from estates to digital to change projects.

Tim is also a qualified Emotional Intelligence coach working with individuals and teams to improve connection with each other and people they interact with.