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Governance Structure and membership

Governance Structure

As an Academy Trust our governance requirements are set out in our Articles of Association.

These state that we must have two layers of governance; Members and Trustees. The Trustee Board operates through its committees in line with its Scheme of Delegation.

Governance Structure

Scheme of Delegation

Click here to see a list of Members and Trustees, their terms of office and their business interests

Members

We have four Members whose role is similar to a company’s shareholder - they sit above the Board of Trustees and have a largely hands-off role. They have some specific responsibilities relating to appointing Trustees and amending the Articles of Association. Members of the Trust also have an important role to play in overseeing and holding the Trustees to account for the general governance of the Trust. 

Mark Davis

 

I was a Governor at Tonbridge Grammar School, for 17 Years until 2020, mostly sitting on the Curriculum and Staffing Committee, and I was Vice Chair of the Governing Body. My family has a long association with the School: my mother, sister and daughter having attended the School and my father having been a Governor for 30 years. I am very much local to Tonbridge, having lived here all my life attending Judd School before a law degree at Exeter University led me to qualify as a solicitor. For much of my working life I have been with Warners Solicitors in Tonbridge and Sevenoaks where I am currently Senior Partner. My speciality is commercial property and development work, and I played a significant part as Governor in the work leading to the construction of the Hands Building.

I was a Councillor 2007-2023 on Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, representing the Cage Green ward in Tonbridge, and I am also a Trustee of Tonbridge & Malling Leisure Trust which administers the Council's leisure facilities in the Borough. When time allows I enjoy long-distance walking, ornithology, genealogy, watching cricket and have a keen interest in history and politics. 

Sally Dyson

 

 

My association with TGS began when my daughter joined Year 7 in 2011. Very soon afterwards I was invited to a meeting to discuss how the school could raise funds to build an all-weather sports pitch. As a former PE teacher I couldn’t bear to think that we would lose the opportunity to provide such a wonderful resource, so I attended the meeting and was hooked.

I joined the TGS Board as a parent governor in 2012 and held the role of Chair from 2015 to 2021. Apart from building the all-weather sports pitch, which took us another 7 years to achieve, the reason I wanted to become a governor was because I believe every child should have the opportunity to benefit from a good education. In order to do that schools need people who are willing to support and challenge them, to provide an environment where children are inspired, are set aspirational targets and are given as many opportunities as possible.

I stepped down from the Trustee Board in 2021 and was invited to become a Member. This is a less time-consuming role but does enable me stay involved and in touch with the school and education which is very important to me. I now work for Girlguiding UK, managing volunteer policy and in my spare time I try to keep fit, keep the house and garden tidy and catch up with family and friends.

 

Clive Gillmore

I am founder and Group CEO of Mondrian Investment Partners and an alumnus of Warwick University from where I graduated in Management Science. I am a long-term supporter of education as a vital driver of innovation for the future of our young people and society. 

I was delighted to accept the invitation to become a Member at Tonbridge Grammar School Academy Trust in September 2020. I hope to bring a valuable independent perspective to strategic discussions and enjoy being associated at grass roots level with an educational philosophy that echoes my own values and ambitions for young people.

Hesham Iqbal

I am the Chief People Officer of a leading global executive search and leadership advisory firm and am a passionate advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion.

I was appointed as a Member on 1 September 2023, having previously served as a Trustee 2018-2022. My daughters attended Tonbridge Grammar School and I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to resume the connection. 

Trustees

To see the work that the trustees do, please click here

Background details for our Trustees can be seen below.

Parth Amin

 

Term of Office Ends:
February 2029

I was elected as a Parent Trustee in February 2025.    As a parent, I am deeply committed to supporting the school’s mission of delivering an exceptional educational experience and ensuring every student thrives academically and personally.

I hold a Masters in Cyber Security and a PhD in Computer Science, and I bring over 15 years of experience in digital strategy, cybersecurity, and innovation. My career includes senior product leadership roles in global organisations. These roles have equipped me with skills in strategic decision-making, financial oversight, and fostering collaboration.

 Having lived and worked in five countries, I consider myself a global citizen with a multicultural perspective. This international exposure has honed my ability to work with diverse groups, value different viewpoints, and promote inclusivity. I am particularly passionate about using technology to create equitable opportunities for students and supporting those with Special Educational Needs.   I am the Link Trustee for Cyber Security. 

Danielle Candfield

 

 

Term of Office Ends:
November 2026

After studying at Tonbridge Grammar, I completed my degree in Economics & Management at Pembroke College, Oxford.  I have worked in corporate finance including M&A since 2008, and have been at Hg for 14 years in a variety of roles. I am currently a Director in the Capital Solutions group, responsible for Hg’s capital raising activities and client relationships. Hg has a charitable foundation, Hg Foundation, funded by the profits of the firm, which supports causes including STEM education for underrepresented groups in tech, which aligns with my passion for ensuring women have the same opportunities as men to pursue careers in this space. 

I feel very fortunate to have benefited from the education I received at TGS, and so now I want to give back. I intend to support the school with my skills and experience for the benefit of the current and next generation of TGS students.

Rebecca Crean

As Head Teacher of TGS, I work closely with the trustee board to ensure that we work together to fulfill the strategic priorities for the whole school and community. I report on the work we have been doing as to support our students, staff and families. I also report on the progress and attainment of the students and work with the rest of the trustee board to plan for further developments of the school. As a trustee, I ensure that we are always looking at ways to improve the school and plan for the future so we continue to provide an outstanding educational experience.

I have a degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies and a Masters in Educational Studies which incorporated Educational Leadership and Management. I have been in Education since 2003, when I completed my PGCE, and have mainly worked in girls' education, with the exception of two years in China in an International School and then in a large Sixth Form College in South East London. I am passionate about girls' education and seek to support our students in ensuring that they achieve the very best possible outcomes for their future and empower them to be future pioneers.

I also have extensive experience of the IB and have taught and coordinated the IB in past schools. I truly believe that the IB offers a well balanced approach to education and provides the skills and experience needed for life and work. The IB allows our students to reflect on their responsibilities as global citizens and to explore the world through the curriculum we offer in the MYP programme as well as the IB Diploma. 

Dr Annette Doherty, OBE

I have worked in the pharmaceutical industry as a scientist for 35 years.   I have been involved in the research and development of many new medicines for patients.  I have lived and worked in the USA, France and the UK, leading global teams of scientists at Warner-Lambert, Pfizer and GSK.

I received my Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry and B.Sc. in Chemistry from Imperial College, London, UK. I conducted postdoctoral research at Ohio State University, USA under a NATO postdoctoral award.  

I have served on Boards of private, public, educational and charity institutions. In 2013, I was honoured as a Distinguished Woman in Chemistry/Chemical engineering by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. I was awarded an honorary Degree from the University of Greenwich for services to education and industry/academic collaboration. I have most recently joined Frazier Life Sciences as a senior advisor.   

I was a Non-Executive Director at the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust from 2017 - 2025.  I am the Board chair at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.  I am the current President of the Royal Society of Chemistry, a charity focusing on education, research and policy development to advance the chemical sciences. In 2009, I was awarded an OBE (Officer of the British Empire) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of services to the pharmaceutical sector.

I am passionate about education and providing the very best opportunities for young people at all stages of their learning and career journey.  My two daughters and three nieces have all attended Tonbridge Grammar School and I have seen first hand how the superb educational experience that was provided at this outstanding school gave them the very best start in life and into their future careers.    I strongly believe in the values, culture and educational experience that is offered at TGS including the outstanding pastoral support.

I have served as a Parent Governor, a Member and am currently the Chair of Trustees. 

Oksana Jajecznyk

Term of Office Ends:
November 2027

I have served as a Trustee of TGS since November 2022, bringing my experience as an educator and my commitment to helping young people flourish as confident global citizens. I have a particular interest in girls’ education, especially in expanding access to and engagement with STEM opportunities for young women. 

I have held teaching and senior leadership roles in schools in the UK and Canada, including membership of the leadership team at Branksome Hall in Toronto, where I supported the establishment and development of three International Baccalaureate programmes. Alongside this, I have coached and trained educators worldwide through IB professional development workshops.   Most recently, I have held leadership roles within the International Baccalaureate Organization, with responsibility for the development of global curriculum content for the Diploma and Career-related Programmes, contributing to high-quality, internationally minded education at scale. 

I look forward to continuing to support TGS by drawing on this experience to help ensure an outstanding, inclusive, and future-focused educational experience for every student. 

Sarah Johnson

Term of office ends:

March 2030

After studying Chemistry at Oxford University I converted to law and qualified into City practice as a solicitor. I have over 18 years of experience in contentious intellectual property matters for major life sciences and technology clients. At a previous firm, I also spent several years engaged in pro bono work in partnership with women's charities.

I am a firm believer in the power and value of education for young people and the opportunities it can bring. I have a particular interest in educational provision for SEN students and believe that the right support and adaptations can allow neurodiverse students who might otherwise find mainstream education challenging to flourish and reach their full potential.

When the opportunity arose to serve as a trustee I was delighted to accept and I am keen to do all I can to support TGS and to contribute to its ongoing success. 

Robert Kienlen

Term of Office Ends:
August 2026

Appointed by the Board in September 2022.

I’m a Chartered Accountant and qualified with EY, having joined them straight from school at the age of 18. As I didn’t have a degree I had to complete both the AAT and ICAEW exams to become fully qualified but was qualified at 22. I left EY after six years to work in industry, and have worked in various finance roles since, in property, financial services and manufacturing businesses including a number of years working as a financial modeller.

My daughter, niece and nephew are past students. I was therefore keen to see if I could help the school when the opportunity arose to join as a governor, especially given the challenging, cost pressured world we currently face.

I am Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and Vice Chair of the Finance and Resources Committee (which I first joined as a co-opted member in 2021). 

Suzannah Merritt

 

Term of Office Ends:
December 2027

I am a GP, working and living in the local area since 2006. I was a partner in a local practice but now work flexibly to enable me to dedicate time to other roles, working clinically across a number of practices and also in non-clinical roles. I was clinical lead of Urgent Care within the CCG for 7 years. I appraise and mentor my GP colleagues, and I am a member for the Kent Local Medical Committee. This role includes liaison with other local healthcare providers and systems.

I grew up in North Kent, attending a girls' grammar school, and can see the opportunities this gave me in forging my career. I have two daughters at TGS and wish for girls in the local area to have the opportunity to achieve their best. I strongly believe wellbeing and inclusivity should be at the heart of any community.

In my spare time I enjoy walking my fox red Labrador Amber, and cycling very hard whilst stationary on my Peloton bike.

I was elected as a parent trustee in January 2024 and I am the Trustee with responsibility for Safeguarding. I am delighted to be able to play a part in the continued success of the TGS community. 

Zeenara Najam

Term of Office Ends:
August 2026

With over 20 years’ experience in the transport industry, I am a civil engineer and chartered transport planner with a background spanning both public and private sectors in the UK and internationally. I bring senior leadership experience in managing multi-stakeholder programmes, developing business cases, overseeing budgets, and advising on planning and funding strategies.

I also founded iSelect Consultancy, a specialist in training and mentoring within the STEM, Transport and Planning sectors.  I am active in my local community and enjoy supporting initiatives that promote education and positive change for young people.

Previously a parent governor at Leybourne St Peter and St Paul CE Primary Academy (part of the Tenax Schools Trust), I now look forward to contributing to the work of the TGS Trustee Board. My daughter is currently in Year 9 at Tonbridge Grammar School, and I feel privileged to support a school that has already given her such a strong and enriching experience.  I was co-opted in September 2025.

Ed Walker

 

 

Term of Office Ends:
November 2027

I was co-opted as a Trustee in October 2022 and then appointed by the Members in November 2023.   I sit on the Audit and Risk Committee as well as the School Development Group.

I graduated with a BA (Hons) Degree in International Business majoring in Spanish at Sheffield Business School and Alicante University in the early 1990s.

My career has primarily been in Commercial Business and Operations originally with Marks & Spencer as a graduate and then with Credit Suisse, Pfizer and G4S.

Since 2005 I have led my own commercial property business as well as running a language training and translation business.

With my strong links to and passion for education, I intend to help TGS going forward in supporting the Facilities and Real Estate team and also act as the Health & Safety Trustee link.

I plan to offer a strategic focus on the build environment for the existing and future generations of students at the school.

My youngest daughter is a student at TGS and the family have lived in Sevenoaks for over 20 years. 

Joanna Woods

Term of Office Ends:
August 2026

I became a Co-opted Trustee of Tonbridge Grammar School in September 2020 as co-Chair of the Finance and Resources Committee and was appointed as a full Trustee by the Members in March 2022. My career background is in financial risk management, where I have spent the past 15 years in the banking sector designing controls and managing stress tests in order to prepare for the unexpected. I aim to bring this experience to TGS in helping to oversee the financial health of the school and the academy trust.

I attended grammar school in Essex before studying Economics at Cambridge University. My recent studies and interests include the financial aspects of climate change and transition risk.

In my spare time I enjoy baking, walking and music (not all at the same time). I am a rusty violinist – after university and prior to my career in banking I was a classical musician in symphony orchestras around the UK.

My two daughters were students at TGS and we have lived in Kent since 2018.

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