Who We Are
Members
Gordon Banks
Term of office: Appointed by Saracens Rugby Club on 1/3/2017; reappointed by members on 1/3/2025 until 28/2/2029
Graham Chase
Term of office: 1/3/2017 – 19/1/2023; Appointed by members on 20/2/2023, office ongoing
Nick Leslau
Term of office: Appointed by Saracens Rugby Club on 1/3/2017, office ongoing
Bina Omare
Term of office: Appointed by members on 20/2/2023, office ongoing
Nigel Wray
Term of office: Appointed by Saracens Rugby Club on 1/3/2017, office ongoing
Trustees
Kate Alcock, CEO
Ex officio from 4/9/2018
Kate is the CEO of the Trust and a retired school Bursar. She is an experienced governor in the maintained and private sectors, both at primary and secondary levels. With a long background in senior business management and political lobbying she sits on the Boards of national and local charities. A qualified Chartered Surveyor and HR Practitioner she has acted for many large charities, schools and not for profit organisations over her career. She is also an adviser with Citizens Advice where she works to empower vulnerable people to enable them to find solutions to their problems. A former member of the Derbyshire Police Authority, Kate Chaired the Joint Audit Committee for the PCC and Chief Constable until April 2018 and she manages a small family estate in Derbyshire. At weekends, she can be found at StoneX Stadium and other rugby grounds, cheering on her beloved Saracens.
Gordon Banks, Trustee & Member
Term of office: 1/3/2017 – 28/2/2021; 1/3/2021 – 28/2/2025; 1/3/2025 – 28/2/2029
Appointed as a Trustee by the Members
Gordon has over 25 years’ experience working within the community development, sport for social change, and charity sectors, 20 years of which were at Saracens where he held several senior positions, including latterly as Community Director.
It was whilst in this role that Gordon played a central role in developing the original vision for the Saracens Multi-Academy Trust and was part of the team that successfully opened the Saracens High School in 2018.
Whilst continuing to support the Trust as a Member and Trustee in a voluntary capacity, Gordon’s day job is as Global Director of The Daily Mile Foundation, a social impact initiative, supported by the INEOS Group, which aims to increase physical activity levels amongst children in schools across the world.
Alan Evans, Trustee
Term of office 14/9/2021 – 13/9/2025
Appointed as a Trustee by the Members
Alan is a partner in the real estate team at international law firm Taylor Wessing. He has over 20 years’ experience in a wide range of commercial property transactions, specialising in investment and development projects across the office, industrial, leisure and logistics sectors. Alan is also involved in the firm’s management, sitting on the steering committees for major change projects and being responsible for group support and business development. He is regularly involved in the recruitment of fee earners and support staff. His experience gives Alan the ability to identify and analyse issues, select and manage multidisciplinary teams, and plan and implement strategies for organisations to achieve their goals.
Alan Gray, Trustee
Term of office: 14/12/2021 – 13/12/2025
Appointed as a Trustee by the Members
Alan has been headteacher of Sandringham School, St. Albans for 20 years and was previously headteacher at The Hemel Hempstead School.
He studied Chemistry at Exeter University before completing a PGCE and entering the teaching profession. He has worked at all leadership levels in a range of schools prior to gaining headship.
He has significant experience of working with governing bodies and has led major capital projects at Sandringham to improve the quality of educational facilities at the school.
Alan is a National Leader of Education and has worked closely with headteachers and senior staff at a number of secondary schools in this capacity to improve the quality of leadership and strategic planning.
Alan is a Ofsted Inspector and inspects secondary and middle schools in the Eastern Region. He currently chairs Hertfordshire Schools Forum, the Alban Federation (ITT provider) and the Alban Teaching School Hub and has previously chaired other local and Hertfordshire Headteacher groups.
He was a member of the DfE Secondary Headteacher Reference Group, supporting the DfE with guidance on education strategy.
Alan led the Alban Academies Trust for six years and now the new Ambition Education Trust, a cross-phase MAT currently serving ten schools in Hertfordshire. He is CEO for the new Trust and responsible for the improvement in education across member schools.
He has significant experience of school leadership and how to create an outstanding learning environment for all.
Alan has a variety of interests outside education. He is a licensed Radio Amateur and currently runs a radio club promoting electronics and communications to students at Sandringham. He is also passionate about sport, particularly rugby, and when required plays competitively for Old Albanian Rugby Club.
Mark Hodges, Trustee
Term of office: 27/9/2023 – 26/9/27; co-opted to the Board by the Trust Board
Mark Hodges is a dedicated member of our Board of Trustees, bringing 20 years of experience in education, community service, and leadership to our school. He is currently the Senior Assistant Head at Christ College and an integral part of the Senior Leadership Team. With a background in education and sport, Mark has played a crucial role in strategic initiatives and fostering a safe learning environment in which all students and staff can thrive.
Mark holds the NPQH qualification for headship and earned a BSc (Hons) degree in Sports Science at Wolverhampton before completing his studies at Loughborough University. He has been deeply involved with the pastoral side of education with a particular interest in safeguarding and special needs. His deep-felt commitment to equality and diversity comes from working in a fresh start school in Haringey and in the disadvantaged townships of Australia.
In addition to his work with our school, Mark is actively involved in the community using his experience with Middlesex CCC to coach local cricket teams.
When not working, Mark enjoys local history, music, chess and is a proud parent who believes in the power of education to transform lives.
Gillian Jackson, Trustee
Term of office: 01/01/2025 – 31/12/2028
Co-opted by the Trust Board
Gillian has a BA (hons) in History from the University of Warwick and a PGCE in Primary Education. Soon after qualifying Gillian was identified as a Fast Track Teacher by the Department for Education. She was a Deputy Head for 13 years, and SENCo, before becoming a Headteacher in September 2018. Gillian also has a National SENCo Award, NPQH and NPQEL.
Gillian has over 25 years of primary teaching experience and has worked in a range of socially and culturally diverse schools in challenging contexts. Gillian has a strong track record in improving pupil outcomes through addressing the following: behaviour; relationships; SEND and pastoral provision; quality of teaching and learning; curriculum; assessment; recruitment and retention of quality staff in disadvantaged contexts; succession planning; high quality CPD and developing staff; EYFS; parental and community engagement; and governance.
Gillian is passionate about improving the life chances and choices of all children.
Louise Jacobs, Trustee
Term of office: 23/3/23 – 22/3/27
Co-opted by the Trust Board
Louise is a qualified executive and leadership coach with 30 years experience in the commercial and not-for-profit worlds. She has worked in financial PR and venture capital and is currently a trustee of Work Avenue and Spread a Smile. Louise has also been Chair of UJIA for over 8 years, building communities and connections with Israel, primarily supporting young people. She is an NED of Lola’s Cupcakes and has been involved with Unitas, the youth centre located in Grahame Park. Louise has extensive fundraising experience.
Janet Jones, Trustee
Term of office 5/11/2024 – 4/11/2028
Co-opted by the Trust Board
Professor Janet Jones is Pro Vice-Chancellor, Global Research and Knowledge Exchange and Interim Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries at Middlesex University. Janet has previously held positions including Pro Vice-Chancellor Knowledge Exchange, and Head of the College of Design, Creative and Digital Industries, at the University of Westminster. Other senior roles she has held include Dean at London South Bank University and Associate Head at the University of West of England.
Prior to her higher education roles, Janet has 16 years of industry experience gained at the BBC in high-impact positions such as Series Editor, Executive Producer and Director of the BBC’s Canadian office in Toronto.
Janet has led large faculties and significant transnational education partnerships, and in previous roles has built external links to enhance civic, commercial, innovation and business engagement. Her focus on knowledge transfer has enhanced universities’ capacity to deliver measurable economic and social impacts. Importantly, she places student success and teaching excellence at the heart of her leadership, ensuring students benefit directly from a rich research and knowledge exchange environment. Janet advocates for flexible and agile operating models that support the connections between teaching, research, and knowledge exchange. She has published in the areas of Public Service Broadcasting, Television, Journalism and Media Policy.
In her role as Pro Vice-Chancellor, Global Research and Knowledge Exchange, Janet provides strategic leadership for the University’s International Campuses, civic engagement, Research and Knowledge Exchange, and commercialisation of academic activity, including innovations in qualifications and portfolio.
Lucy Maislish, Trustee
Term of Office: 1/9/23 – 31/8/27
Co-opted by the Trust Board
Lucy is a senior legal counsel and Managing Director at global financial services organisation, Macquarie. She has over 15 years’ experience in the financial services sector, advising on risk and governance. As chair or member of committees addressing governance and legal risk, Lucy has developed skills in probing details, challenging assumptions, questioning effectiveness of processes and helping to identify critical issues.
Lucy is committed to diversity and inclusion, actively participating in an employee-led gender balance network and a range of mentoring programmes. She is also a Trustee of Mitzvah Day, a faith-led social action charity.
Lee Manning, Trustee, Chair of Audit and Risk Committee
Term of office 1/3/2017 – 28/2/2021; 1/3/2021 – 28/2/2025; 1/3/2025 – 28/2/2029
Appointed as a Trustee by the Members
Lee recently retired as a partner in Deloitte’s Restructuring Services business and has over 25 years restructuring experience. Lee has specialised in all aspects of corporate recovery, IBR’s, business advisory, administrations and liquidations since 1983 when qualifying with Touche Ross. He joined Deloitte in 2004 after spending over 14 years with Kroll, 12 of those as a partner, during which time he initiated and developed their receivership practice and established as a hands-on advisor to struggling businesses and their lenders covering a wide range of industries operating in the Mid Market. Lee has extensive experience both in advisory capacity and as an administrator in the retail, media, leisure, professional football, catering, manufacturing and property industries and has good experience in both the telecoms and construction consulting sectors. He has regularly provided expert evidence and testimony for litigation support assignments covering issues such as causes of insolvency, breaches of fiduciary duties and the conduct of office holders. Lee is a regular public speaker and lecturer on a range of business finance issues including football finance and retail.
Ian Marcus OBE, Vice Chair of SMAT and Chair of Nominations Committee
Term of office 08/07/2021 – 7/7/2025
Co-opted to the Board by the Trust Board
Ian graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1981 with a degree in Land Economy. Ian was in the banking industry for over 32 years having previously worked for Bank of America, UBS, NatWest and Bankers Trust/Deutsche, always focusing on the real estate industry. Ian joined Credit Suisse First Boston in 1999 to establish the Real Estate Group, and became Managing Director and Chairman of the European Real Estate Investment Banking.
Ian is a member of Redevco’s Advisory Board, the Senior Independent Director for both Secure Income REIT and Shurgard Self Storage, and a Non Executive Director for Town Centre Securities Plc. He is a Senior Adviser to both Eastdil Secured and Anschutz Entertainment Group. He is a Non-Executive Director of Green Mountain Global and a Senior Advisor to two new Businesses, Work Life and Elysian Residences. He chaired the Princes Regeneration Trust for 11 years and was a Trustee of the Princes Foundation.
Ian is a former Crown Estate Commissioner, a past President of the British Property Federation, Past President of Cambridge University Land Society, past Chairman of the Investment Property Forum, a Fellow of the RICS and for 10 years chaired the Bank of England Commercial Property Forum.
Ian was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in HM Queen’s 2020 Birthday Honours List.
Vicky Pearson, Trustee
Term of office: 01/01/2025 – 31/12/2028
Co-opted by the Trust Board
Vicky is a highly experienced education professional with over 20 years of expertise in the primary phase. As a
qualified teacher and senior leader, she possesses a good understanding of both the strategic and operational dimensions of school leadership. Her extensive experience enables her to drive school improvement, enhance teaching and learning practices, and support effective governance.
In addition to her leadership roles, Vicky is a qualified Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), underscoring her dedication to fostering an inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive. Her background as a governor further reflects her strong commitment to school governance, policy development, and accountability.
Vicky is passionate about inclusion, high-quality teaching and education that provide equitable opportunities and the best possible outcomes for all learners.
Kevin Perry, Chair of Trustees
Term of office 14/12/2021 – 13/12/2025
Chair from 01/02/23
Appointed as a Trustee by the Members
Kevin was a solicitor for 32 years working as a commercial litigator. For 25 of those years, he was a partner and for a large number of those years he was the head of the litigation department. That meant that among others he developed the following skill sets: strategic thinking; organisational skills; an understanding of the importance of compliance; the highest demands for ethical standards; management of budgets; an ability to challenge people and fight a corner when necessary; good interpersonal skills with an ability to work well in teams, and an ability to take tough decisions when needed.
He has been very fortunate in his career, and has always looked, albeit in a small way, to contribute outside of his day job. This has included being the Chairman of a fund-raising committee for the NSPCC, helping to set up and then become a Trustee of the Royal Courts of Justice Advice Bureau and sit on its employment and finance sub-committee. He sat on the fund raising committee for sports tours of his sons’ school and he was also the head of Pro Bono in the London office and sat on the firm-wide international committee. Since retiring in December 2021, Kevin has enjoyed spending more time in school and becoming a grandfather.
Resignations
Anthony Smith resigned with effect from 31/10/2023
Mariana Doudorova resigned with effect from 20/05/2024
Laurie O’Brien resigned with effect from 11/07/2024 (appointed 20/04/2023)
Carmel Clancey resigned with effect from 17/09/2024
Mitesh Velani resigned with effect from 31/12/24
Other recent resignations are listed in the Register of Interests document.
Committee Chairs
Chair of Trustees: Kevin Perry
Chair of Audit and Risk: Lee Manning
Chair of Nominations: Ian Marcus
Chair of Governors, Saracens Bell Lane: Nigel Denison
Chair of Governors, Saracens High School: Ruth Sack
To view Member and Trustee declarations please click here