Governors (ID 1231)

• Ms Carla Prince
  Ms Carla Prince

  Ex Officio

• Ms Hilary Evenett
  Ms Hilary Evenett

  I was born and brought up in Birmingham, but moved to southeast London after university, and have lived there ever since. My husband works in the charity sector, and we have two daughters, one at university and one doing her A Levels.

  I studied law at Oxford and qualified as a solicitor with Clifford Chance, an international business law firm based in Canary Wharf. I was a partner there for over twenty years, working mainly with companies in the financial services sector, and am now a senior director.

  I was delighted to have the opportunity to join the governing body of Central Foundation, as I am a firm believer in the benefits of girls' only education, and a great admirer of the ethos of the school and the confidence it instils in its students.

• Mr Lionel Green
  Mr Lionel Green

  After a 30-year banking career in the City and overseas, I am now the Bursar and Clerk to the Governors at a leading Independent School in Greater London. The opportunity to join the Governing Body at CFGS and use my skills and experience to assist the school, staff and pupils was one that I welcomed. It is a truly inspiring place that we need to ensure continues to thrive. I utilise my bursarial knowledge in chairing the Resources Committee, and when attending the full Governing Board meetings, I am happy to contribute using my wider finance and building expertise. In 2024, I became the Vice Chair of the Governing Body at CFGS.

• Mr Barry Gooden
  Mr Barry Gooden

  Barry Gooden has worked in education for over 35 years, in both the public and private sector, and is a former employee of the Tower Hamlets Council in the Schools Development programme. His long association with Central Foundation Girls' School spans most of those long years of service, first as a Project Officer responsible for the improvement, enhancement of teaching facilities and for the transformation of the whole learning experience for both teachers and students.

  After leaving Tower Hamlets in 2005 after 15 years of service, Barry was keen to maintain his relationship with Central Foundation Girls' School due to his daughter attending the school. In 2007, Barry was delighted to be asked to join the Governing Body. Since then, Barry has chaired the Finance and Resources Committees before taking over the Chairmanship of Governing Body in 2016, which he held until 2024.

  Barry is passionate about education as a medium for advancing the lives of those less privileged in our society. Having worked in education for such a substantial period in various roles, Barry brings a wealth of skills and experience to the Governing Body and cherishes the ideals, ethos, vision and values of the school.

• Mr Clive Arding
  Mr Clive Arding

  Clive Arding is a Chartered Surveyor, formally a partner in Richard Ellis and subsequently a Director of CBRE, one of the world's largest real estate consultancies. He is a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Bowyers and became a Governor of the School as a result of the links and financial support given by that Company to the School over a number of years.

  Apart from his particular knowledge and expertise of the world of property, Clive brings to his role as a Governor his considerable experience of financial and people management, gained from his appointment as Finance Partner and then Staff Partner in his former firm. Having benefitted from an excellent education himself, he is passionate about ensuring that all children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are given every opportunity to succeed in their chosen careers after leaving school.

  Clive also served for 10 years as a Governor of an Independent School in Taunton, Somerset.

• Mr Shahanur Khan
  Mr Shahanur Khan

  My profession was teaching in my country of origin and in the UK. I taught Economics in Further Education abroad and Modern Foreign Languages (Bengali) as a Council's Tutor for 24 years. I have managed an MFL Bengali Study Support School and was involved in educational activities for years. My aspiration is to continue serving education.

  I have served on the Council's School Forum, Overview and Scrutiny Committee and am currently serving in the Admission Forum. I have been a Governor for many years in Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools across Tower Hamlets.

  CFGS takes a special space in my heart as my children were educated here. I observe that this school valued our multi-cultural, multi-faith and multi-lingual diverse community. I appreciate that this school listens to parents, governors and its community. This inspired me to serve on this school's Governing Body.

  Having worked as a member of Governing Bodies and Sub-committees, including serving as Vice Chair of a secondary school Governing Body, I have acquired skills, knowledge and experience that equip me to contribute to this fully.

  I have attended educational and Governors' training programmes that have strengthened my knowledge. I believe that schools, children, parents and Governing Bodies are integral to building a brighter future for children in our country.

• Dr Mahera Ruby
  Dr Mahera Ruby

  Dr Mahera Ruby is an educationalist and has a keen interest in developing the learner experiences of young people, particularly young women from BAME communities to empower them to increase their spiritual, educational, economic, and social capacity. She is also an alumnus of the school and is proud to be back as a Governor.

  Mahera has a PhD in Education and is currently a Post-Doctoral Research Associate at The Open University and has held teaching and research roles at UCL Institute of Education and Goldsmith, University of London. She is also a certified personal growth and family coach and has trained hundreds of parents to become more confident in their parenting roles.

  Mahera has authored many academic papers and two books, both published by the UCL press. Her academic knowledge, extensive experience of work within diverse communities and a good knowledge of governance in schools adds to the current vision of the Governing Body at the school.

• Ms Tasnim Ghiawadwala
  Ms Tasnim Ghiawadwala

  Tasnim re-joined Citi in October 2021 to lead the Global Commercial Bank (CCB), a key business line for Citi. CCB provides full scale banking products and services to mid-size companies across the globe delivering tailored solutions to this exciting and fast-growing client base. Commercial clients represent a significant global growth opportunity as their needs closely align with Citi's core value proposition that enables clients to grow cross-border leveraging sophisticated platforms and solutions. Tasnim is developing an ambitious growth strategy to capture these opportunities with an emphasis on talent investment, digital transformation, and expansion into new markets.

  Most recently, Tasnim was the UK Corporate Bank Head at Barclays plc where she focused on growing target segments, building solutions, enhancing client experience and developing talent. She implemented National Industry verticals to serve Corporate clients and set-up a Public Sector business to drive growth through industry specific insights and solutions. Tasnim played a leading role in the deployment of the UK Covid Government Loan Schemes and was a strong voice for Industry during the pandemic.

  Prior to Barclays, Tasnim was Head of Commercial Bank Europe, Middle East and Africa at Citi where she led Citi's expansion of the Commercial Bank, including launching into new markets and driving innovation and digitisation. During her 20+ year career at Citi, Tasnim has held roles in Investment Banking, Corporate and Commercial Banking and Senior Regional Management.

  In her earlier career, Tasnim worked at JP Morgan and Commercial Union and is a Chartered Management Accountant. She is passionate about equality in the workplace especially for women and has led several diversity initiatives and chaired various Committees across her career in banking.

  In addition to her role as a Governor at CFGS, Tasnim is a Board Member of Foro Holdings Inc, a Fintech based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and a Trustee of Developments in Literacy UK, a charity with a focus on girls' education.

  Tasnim graduated from Kings College London with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Management.

• Ms Sarah Branch
  ,
  Ms Sarah Branch

  I have been a teacher for 26 years, teaching in four London borough comprehensive secondary schools. As well as having the privilege of teaching thousands of students over that time, I have also held a variety of roles at departmental, middle management and senior leadership level.

  I am passionate about the responsibility of schools to provide opportunities, aspirations and deliver an excellent education for all students. As this belief in the transformative power of education is central to the ethos of CFGS, it is a privilege to be a member of the Governing Body.

• Ms Anna Moulton
  ,
  Ms Anna Moulton

  Anna is an experienced global Human Resources leader who has led the HR strategy and teams in global organizations in media, consumer, and professional services industries. Most recently she was the Global Chief HR Officer for Dentsu a Japanese headquartered media and marketing services company operating in 140 countries. In this role she led the people and skill development investment that supported the transformation from a traditional media to a digital services company. Through her experience as part of Dentsu's social impact committee she developed and led partnerships with organisations supporting education for women and girls which is where her interest in joining the board of governors for a girls' school stems from. Anna is an EMCC accredited coach and works with a broad group of individuals supporting them in achieving their professional goals.

  In addition to her role as a Governor at CFGS Anna is a board member for Pilotlight an organization that runs corporate volunteering programs and is a trustee for Citizen's Advice Kensington and Chelsea.

• Claire Pollard
  Claire Pollard

  I have worked for 20 years in education, mostly as a secondary school English and Media teacher in Tower Hamlets. I now work in teacher education at Goldsmiths University, training and supporting new teachers. I spend a lot of time visiting schools and teachers all over London, so I know what a positive and unique learning environment CFGS is.

  
  I am an executive member of the Media Education Association and an advocate for media literacy in schools. Young people's lives are steeped in media and technology, and I believe that schools need to play a role in educating them and developing the critical thinking skills and creativity required for the future.

• Alex O'Connor
  Alex O'Connor

  After graduating from Bristol University and becoming an English teacher through Teach First, I've had the privilege of working in two brilliant schools, both in the UK and abroad. I am passionate about social mobility and a strong advocate for the role schools play in providing opportunities for all, regardless of background.

  Although I have now left the classroom, it is a privilege to support Central Foundation Girls' School as a Governor, and I look forward to working closely with the team to ensure every CFGS student can realise their great potential.

• Mr Nigel Heilpern
  Mr Nigel Heilpern

  Nigel Heilpern has specialised for the last 35 years in real estate law and financing, representing developers, bankers and other institutions in a range of real estate transactions advising real estate opportunity funds and major investment banks on their European real estate investment programs. With experience in complex real estate financing deals, he has advised on equity, banking and restructuring elements of these transactions.

  Having been a partner in international law firms since 1994, Nigel left King & Spalding LLP in May 2018 to focus on his own account as a principal in property and finance deals. In July 2019 Nigel joined Avonhurst Legal Services LLP as a partner and head of real estate for the firm.

  Nigel now works as a consultant for Davitt Jones Bould on property finance deals. Nigel is also a principal in Electrum Capital Limited, an FCA authorised investment manager, which advises the Guardian Managed Funds SICAV-SIF a real estate fund based in Luxembourg in connection with its European real estate investments.

  Nigel was also Master of the Worshipful Company of Bowyers for the years 2022-2024.

• Dr Shamira Bhikha
  Dr Shamira Bhikha

  I've chosen to be a governor at CFGS because I am very passionate about education and the social mobility it offers.

  I work locally in a GP surgery. This is an immensely satisfying and rewarding role through which I have developed a strong understanding of the culture and needs of the local community.

  The skills and qualities I can lend in a Governor role are therefore relevant. Additionally, and most importantly, I can offer the perspective of a parent, who has a strong desire for the school to create tomorrow's leaders and women at the fore of their fields. As a leader in my place of work, I am fully aware of the qualities the girls will need to develop to achieve their full potential and the environment and culture needed for them to prosper.

• Mr Aminul Hoque
  Mr Aminul Hoque

  Aminul Hoque is a true advocate for education, evident in his diverse and impactful roles. His experiences in School Governance span over 10 years and he was delighted to be appointed as Parent Governor at CFGS Bonner Primary School. His focus on clarity of vision and strategic direction stands out and he supports executive leaders to enhance overall educational performance, actively contributing to staff performance management and overseeing the school's financial optimization. Aminul's adeptness with budgets is showcased through his commitment to ensuring optimal spending within the school's resources.
  
  His role as a SEND & Safeguarding Lead School Governor at Rachel Keeling Nursery demonstrates his dedication to inclusive education. Aminul plays a pivotal role in drafting and monitoring SEND provisions, ensuring children with complex needs receive adequate support. His involvement in recruitment processes for key school positions and strategic management of budget and staffing showcases his commitment to fostering a conducive learning environment for all children.
  
  Furthermore, his professional experience spans beyond education, exemplified by his former tenure as the Chair of Scrutiny Panel at Gateway Housing Association. Here, he led successful reviews and presentations resulting in the formation of essential services, showcasing his ability to drive tangible change and innovation. Currently he works as an Employer Engagement & Careers Advice specialist at Queen Mary University of London.
  
  Aminul's multifaceted skill set, from bid writing and strategic leadership to relationship development and policy analysis, reflects a comprehensive approach to governance. His commitment to creating an inclusive educational landscape and driving positive change within communities is a testament to his passion and dedication.

• Ms Zoe Knight
  Ms Zoe Knight

  I have worked in East London schools since 2010, as an English teacher, taking on a range of roles both whole school and in department, including working on developing school libraries and literacy, developing opportunities for challenge and aspirations, and supporting teacher training and professional development. I am currently head of English at a Tower Hamlets community school.

  I have two daughters and am passionate about providing girls with a high quality, aspirational education which sets them up for happy, successful school experiences and futures. I am particularly interested in teaching and learning, and school curricula, planning for progress for all and promoting equity through education which works to close disadvantage gaps.