Board of Trustees' Profiles

WHE
Wendy Hemmingsley

Chief Executive Officer

 
  • 25+ years English teacher (11-18).
  • 14+ years Strategic Leadership Teams in three different schools (East Midlands and Oxfordshire).
  • Leadership experience in a range of school contexts (multicultural, areas of high deprivation, city).
  • MA Educational Leadership (Univ. of Nottm), NPQH.
Katrina black
Katrina Black

Trustee
  • 14+ years of experience in the education sector with a focus on addressing educational inequity.
  • Qualified History teacher, former Head of History and Associate Senior Leader in a multi-cultural ‘Outstanding’ rated state school in London.
  • MA in Educational Leadership (IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society).
  • Currently Senior Director for a Global Educational NGO –fostering learning and delivering support to educational organizations in Europe.
  • Experienced in strategic consulting, leadership and management coaching for Third Sector organisations.

Claire King

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claire King

Chair of the Board

Trustee
  • Diverse background in leadership, education, strategy and large-scale project management.
  • Highly experienced educator with over 20 years in education, spanning all three phases, and 18 years in middle and senior leadership roles.
  • MSc, BSc, PGCE, Leadership Pathways, CIPD, Chair of the Board (NGA programme), experienced in safeguarding and welfare.
  • Track record in school improvement at leadership level, achieving Ofsted improvements across all Key Stages.
  • Extensive business experience with current role in mergers and acquisitions with an international software company, leading a global team.
Chris laing
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dr. Chris Laing

Trustee
  • Over 20 years' experience involving senior roles in the U.K., Hong Kong, Australia and the U.A.E.
  •  A Managing Director heading various equity capital market teams in a wide variety of sectors.
  • Experienced leadership of transaction teams advising governments, listed and private companies in raising equity capital.
  • Has a strong interest in education and has a BA and D.Phil. in chemistry and organic chemistry respectively from Oxford University.
  • Particular interest in children with Special Educational Needs.

Colin Mitchell

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colin Mitchell

Trustee
  • Over 30 years’ experience in corporate mergers and acquisitions work across UK and EU including successfully completing management buy-outs and buy-ins.
  • Former business governor of large sixth-form college in Berkshire and chairman of educational charitable trust.
  • Experienced CEO, group finance director (FCCA) and non-executive director of various commercial companies and in the arts.
  • Experienced in strategic business planning, business transformation and projects involving executive mentoring.
  • 16 years as a magistrate in Berkshire.
  • Experienced business development director including responsibility for global sales.
  • Joined The Mill Academy as a trustee in December 2017.
Laverne Williams

Trustee
  • 30+ years of working with/pastoral care/supporting/coaching/teaching children and youth.
  • Background working in education and also faith organisation (roles included but not limited to Pastoral Lead for Sixth Form, Motor Vehicle Tutor, School's Chaplain).
  • Director in ODBE.
  • Currently working with children and youth within the Witney area as a Schools Chaplain and Youth Lead.