Governance

Welcome from the Chair

Thank you for your interest in the governance of Stanmore College, a thriving college in North London

This is an exciting time for the College. We have invested significantly in our buildings and facilities, creating an enhanced learning environment for our students. Alongside our Good Ofsted rating in 2023 and excellent financial health, we have a strong foundation for the future.

Our ambition is clear: to continue improving and become an outstanding college. We are passionate about helping our students develop the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to succeed, while ensuring they feel safe, known and supported.

Strong leadership and governance will be central to achieving this ambition. We are committed to continually strengthening our Board with diverse expertise from industry, our staff and student community.

We are proud of what Stanmore College and our students have achieved, and excited about what lies ahead. If you are interested in becoming a Governor, we would be pleased to hear from you. Please visit our website for details of current opportunities and how to apply.

Hannah Butland
Chair of the Board of Governors

Become a Governor

As a governor, you will serve in a voluntary capacity, bringing your skills, expertise, and experience to a vital role.

This position carries significant responsibility, and you will be expected to adhere to the seven principles of public life, known as the Nolan Principles. You will also need to sign a code of conduct that outlines what is expected of you as a board member, as well as what you can anticipate from your service on the Board.

Board Members

Stanmore College - Hannah Butland

Hannah Butland

Chair of Governors

Hannah Butland

As a senior leader, Hannah has had responsibility for teaching and learning, staff development and the use of technology in the classroom. She is a passionate advocate for education, having been the first person from her state school to attend the University of Oxford. She wants every young person to have access to the transformative benefits of a high quality, inspirational education and has a particular interest in community education. As a mother to an autistic boy she is passionate about SEND education. Hannah has previously sat on the board of two state primary schools and has a Master’s degree in Education. 

Stanmore College - Paul Goodman

Paul Goodman

Vice Chair of the Board of Governors

Paul Goodman

Paul is a chartered accountant (FCA) and a qualified Childline volunteer. He has a BA (Jt Hons) from University College London in English and History of Art. Paul was formerly a TV and film producer who made programmes for the BBC and independent production companies in the UK and Canada. He has a deep interest in promoting opportunities for disadvantaged people, and in advancing good financial education for all. In his spare time, he cooks and plays the piano.

Stanmore College - Annette Cast

Annette Cast

Principal and Ex-Officio Governor

Annette Cast

Annette was formerly Principal at Lewisham Southwark College and previously Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the College of Professional Services and Student Experience. With a wealth of experience in further and higher education and a track record of driving innovation and success, Annette is focused on providing the best possible educational offer for Harrow residents.

Stanmore College - Kate Parsley

Kate Parsley

Safeguarding Link Governor

Kate Parsley

Kate has worked in Zimbabwe and Uganda supporting orphans and vulnerable children. She is also currently Trustee of ADVANCE, a charity supporting women with criminal justice and domestic abuse situations; Board member of Ekaya Housing Association, supporting single-mothers from global majority backgrounds and running a small community nursery; and Board Advisor for We Hold A Hand, raising awareness of mental health. Kate holds a Master’s in community health psychology from the LSE and is currently studying an MBA. Kate is a freelance consultant, helping public and voluntary sectors with service design, strategy and insight research. Kate is passionate about social justice, wider determinants of health and community engagement and is an active ally for people with global majority heritage and the LGBTQI+ community.

Stanmore College - Mike Bluestone

Mike Bluestone

Governor

Mike Bluestone

With an MA in Security Management awarded by Loughborough University, he is a Chartered Security Professional, as well as being a Fellow and Chair Emeritus of the Security Institute and a member of the London Resilience Academic Partnership. Mike is the Registrar of the Register of Chartered Security Professionals and a member of the Chartered Security Professionals Registration Authority (CSPRA).

Mike led the development of BS16000 ‘Security Management and Operational Guidelines’ and is a member of the BSI Security Strategy Group, and the Association of Security Consultants (ASC).

Mike is the accredited trainer in Security Management and Resilience for the IWFM Academy and is the Executive Director of Corps Consult, the consulting arm of Corps Security where he is also the President of the Corps Veterans Association (CVA). Mike is a former Chair and the current Hon President of AJEX Jewish Military Association and a member of the Met Police (MO6) Independent Advsory Group on Public Order.

Stanmore College - Julian Davies

Julian Davies

Governor

Julian Davies

Julian has a keen understanding of the strategic dynamics within the public and for-profit education sectors, making him an invaluable asset in his current role. His prior experience includes significant leadership positions where he demonstrated his expertise in strategic management and operational oversight. Julian’s accomplishments in these roles include driving business and technology growth, aligning educational programmes with global standards, and significantly enhancing student recruitment and programme development. Julian holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and has participated in specialised leadership development programmes in business school management.

Stanmore College - Sukhneil Athwal

Sukhneil Athwal

Governor

Sukhneil Athwal

Sukhneil is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD (FCIPD) and a qualified coach and workplace mediator. She has a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and an MSc in Management from Loughborough University and an MA in Personnel and Development from the University of Westminster. Sukhneil has a strong record of business partnering with leadership teams at all levels and is known for her collegiate and pragmatic approach in delivering data driven and tailored HR solutions, driving change, and enabling high performance and employee engagement. Sukhneil is passionate about the transformative effects education and learning can have on shaping an individual’s confidence, resilience and future aspirations and she looks forward to bringing this energy to Stanmore College. In her spare time, she enjoys bike rides, walks and baking (red velvet cake being her speciality!).

Stanmore College - Mahmood Ladak

Mahmood Ladak

Governor

Mahmood Ladak

Mahmood Ladak is a senior audit professional with over two decades of experience in financial reporting, governance, and assurance across a range of industries and international markets.

A Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), Mahmood currently serves as an Audit Manager at KLSA, a PKF member firm. Over his 23-year career, he has managed statutory audits under UK GAAP and FRC standards for clients in technology, consumer markets, and professional services.

He brings strong expertise in external audit, internal controls, and risk management, underpinned by a deep understanding of governance and regulatory frameworks. Mahmood is known for his analytical approach and commitment to upholding integrity and accountability in financial oversight.

Beyond his professional work, Mahmood is dedicated to mentoring aspiring finance professionals and championing ethical leadership within education and the wider community.

Stanmore College - Chirag Simaria

Chirag Simaria

Governor

Chirag Simaria

I am a parent and senior professional with extensive experience in technology, programme delivery and digital transformation, having held leadership roles at Visa, Deloitte and Royal Mail. Over the course of my career, I have managed large cross-functional teams, overseen major transformation projects and delivered programmes with significant commercial and societal impact. My background includes leading initiatives in cyber security, digital platforms and customer-focused services, giving me a strong understanding of both the opportunities and challenges that technology brings.

I am passionate about giving back to the community and believe that education is one of the most important ways we can empower young people to reach their potential. As a college governor, I am keen to use my leadership, strategic and problem-solving skills to support the College’s continued success. In particular, I hope to contribute by providing guidance on technology and cyber security, helping the College strengthen its digital resilience while also exploring how technology can enhance teaching, learning and student engagement.

Beyond my professional life, I take great pride in supporting my three daughters’ educational journeys and understand the value of creating environments where students feel inspired, confident and supported. I am committed to ensuring that the College remains a place where staff can thrive, students are given every opportunity to succeed, and families feel part of a strong and inclusive community.

By bringing together my professional expertise and personal passion for education, I look forward to contributing to the College’s governance and helping shape a positive, forward-looking future for all who are part of it.

Stanmore College - Evangelos Kyveris

Evangelos Kyveris

Governor

Evangelos Kyveris

Evangelos is a Senior Associate Solicitor at RIAA Barker Gillette (UK) LLP, where he advises national and international organisations on corporate, commercial and financing matters. His practice covers mergers and acquisitions, private equity, joint ventures, restructurings, venture capital investments, complex commercial agreements and financing projects.
 
Having worked closely with executive teams, boards and senior stakeholders throughout his career, Evangelos brings a strong understanding of governance, risk management and decision-making at a strategic level. His experience ranges from advising on regulatory compliance to policy development and the implementation of governance frameworks, alongside supporting organisations through significant commercial and operational change.
 
Evangelos is passionate about the role education plays in transforming lives and opening pathways for the younger generation. He is committed to helping young people access opportunities that enable them to thrive. He is particularly aligned with Stanmore College’s values and is motivated to support the College’s ongoing efforts to provide an empowering and future-focused learning environment.
 
As a governor, Evangelos hopes to contribute his legal expertise, commercial insight and analytical approach to support effective oversight, strategic planning and continuous improvement. He has a strong interest in areas such as safeguarding, curriculum development, leadership support and assisting with compliance across all aspects of college governance.

Stanmore College - Paresh Chudasama

Paresh Chudasama

Governor

Paresh Chudasama

Paresh has worked in the financial, legal, software, local government, and healthcare sectors, delivering large-scale change to enable organisations to thrive in an ever-changing world and provide efficient, effective services to customers and residents. He has worked in various places, including NatWest, Norton Rose, Microsoft and numerous local government and housing organisations.
Paresh holds a BSc in Law and Politics from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and an MSc in Information Technology from Queen Mary University.
A Harrow and Stanmore resident for over 25 years understands the local community and resident needs. Paresh is pleased to join the Board and bring his experience to enable students to thrive and develop, and provide support to staff and the leadership team at the college.

Stanmore College - Ali Isahaq

Ali Isahaq

Academic Staff Governor

Ali Isahaq

Ali is committed to maintaining the highest standards of teaching and learning, with a clear focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for learners. He strives to create inclusive, supportive environments where all students can thrive.

As a specialist in English, Maths, and ESOL, Ali has successfully led and implemented college-wide strategies to improve quality and raise achievement. His experience in quality improvement and curriculum development reflects his ability to drive continuous enhancement in teaching practice and learner experience.

Ali’s presence is felt across the college—he is confident, collaborative, and dedicated to making a positive impact. These qualities, combined with his work with grassroots charities and advocacy for mental health, disability inclusion, and support for disadvantaged communities, demonstrate his commitment to social equity and learner wellbeing. His active involvement in volunteering further reinforces his values of service and community engagement.

In his capacity as Staff Academic Governor, Ali will draw on his deep understanding of learner needs and institutional priorities to contribute meaningfully to governance discussions. His experience and passion for equality and inclusion will help ensure decisions reflect the best interests of learners and uphold the college’s mission to deliver excellence in education.

Stanmore College - Gerald Brown

Gerald Brown

Support Staff Governor

Gerald Brown

As a seasoned professional with extensive experience in both education and public service, I’m excited to serve as a Staff Governor at Stanmore College. Before stepping into the field of education, I served for 34 years in the police service, where I was also for twelve years the General Secretary of the Support Association for Minority Ethnic Staff in the British Transport Police and worked at a strategic level with the Force leadership team.

Transitioning into education, I’ve spent the past two years as the Student Engagement Officer at Stanmore College, building strong relationships and fostering a collaborative environment. One notable experience was accompanying 34 students, as one of five staff members, on a workplace learning trip to Bali focused on sustainability and cultural appreciation.

In my new role as Staff Governor, I aim to bring this blend of strategic insight and hands-on engagement to our college governance. I’m passionate about fostering inclusive policies, supporting student well-being, and contributing to a vibrant learning community. Outside of work, I’m also deeply involved in music and community outreach, and I look forward to bringing that energy into everything we do here.

Raayyan Sheikh

Student Governor 26-27

Studying Business at Stanmore College

Bio coming soon

Karen Matavire

Student Governor 26-27

Studying Health and Social Care at Stanmore College

Bio coming soon

Ambassadors

Stanmore are pleased to appoint the following distinguished professionals as Ambassadors of the College. We thank them for their efforts to continuously improve the College and support positive outcomes for our students.

Gideon

Rabbi Gideon Schulman

Ambassador

Rabbi Gideon Schulman

Coming Soon

Viresh Paul

Viresh Paul

Ambassador

Immediate Past President, London Society of Chartered Accountants at ICAEW, and local business owner of a growth focussed accountancy practice.

The Recruitment Process

A description of the role outlining the responsibilities of a Board member is available by request. If you would like to learn more about serving on the Board, please email our Director of Governance: Kayee Chan

If you’re interested in becoming a governor, here’s how the recruitment process works:

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Initial Interest

After expressing your interest, you will have an informal briefing with the Director of Governance and Principal to discuss the role, responsibilities, and your suitability.

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Application

If you decide to apply and there is a vacancy, you will need to submit details such as your CV and a supporting statement to the Governance Committee, which will then conduct an interview.

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Recommendation

If deemed suitable, the Governance Committee will recommend you to the Board for approval of your nomination.

What Committees Do

Each committee reviews policies, documents, and proposals in detail, tracking progress and activities throughout the year. They report their findings and recommended actions to the Board at termly meetings.

The audit committee oversees risk management, and will meet with internal and external auditors. They typically gather once a term, and include the Principal and Deputy Principal to participate in their reviews.

Board Effectiveness Review 2023

Review can be found below, the next review is due in 2026.

Summary of findings:

Within the overall review of the Board’s effectiveness, there is an appropriate governance function at Stanmore College, increasingly enabling the Board to address the challenges of their sector. 
 
This summary of review outcomes should be read in conjunction with the full report as the report contains important contextual information, rationale, and evidence for all the recommendations made. The review considered the Board’s effectiveness and governance maturity across the 5 principal areas.