Trustee Information
Meet the current members of our Trust Board.
Click below to open the Pecuniary Interests for the Governors below:
Jenny Howarth – Chair
Jenny has been a Trustee at Katherine Warington School since the pre-opening phase, working with the Members, the local community and the DfE to build the groundwork for the school. In 2021 she became Chair having previously chaired the Education Committee and been Vice Chair of Trustees.
Jenny passionately believes that all children deserve an excellent state education providing them with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in our ever changing world. She is proud to see those values reflected so strongly at KWS.
Alan Henshall – Member representative of Roundwood Park School Academy Trust
As an experienced educationalist, having worked in five different secondary schools, three of them in the St Albans and Harpenden area, Alan has a strong understanding of what students and parents expect from their local school. Alan has senior leadership experience in three high performing schools and as the Headteacher of Roundwood Park School he really enjoys his involvement in the school, having been the Executive Headteacher in its inaugural year.
Andy Ford – Member representative of St George’s (Harpenden) Academy Trust
A
ndy was appointed Head of St George’s School, Harpenden, in September 2024. Prior to this, he held the role of Vice Principal at Berkhamsted School and has served on the governing bodies of several local schools, spanning both the state and independent sectors. Andy is a strong believer that great schools are rooted in their values, arecommitted to creating a supportive and inclusive community where learning is a lifelong journey, relationships are built on trust and respect, and integrity guides all that they do.
Andy is looking forward to working closely with David Martin, the Trustees and the Leadership team at KWS. Harpenden is a fantastic place for young people to learn. Our Schools working in close collaboration is extremely important in ensuring all students get the opportunity to flourish.
Angela Karp – Member representative of Rothamsted Reaserch Limited
Angela was appointed Director & Chief Executive of Rothamsted Research in July 2020; the first female Director since the Institute was founded in 1843. In her previous role of Director for Science Innovation, Engagement and Partnerships, she developed new initiatives for collaborative innovation including FarmInn, which has involved co-developing farmer-led innovations, and AGRIA, a regionally funded programme supporting collaborations between SMEs and researchers for co-developing innovative solutions to challenges in agri-food. Working closely with Cranfield University as well as UCL and University of Hertfordshire, Angela is also the Programme Director of SHAKE Climate Change, which currently has eight ventures in the portfolio. She has always focused on ensuring science delivers impact, whether this is to farmers, policy-makers, industry or society and is a member of numerous panels and committees, including the Defra Innovation R&D panel and BBC Rural Affairs Committee.
Angela has a first degree in Genetics and completed her PhD in cytogenetics at Aberystwyth. She has an impressive research background with more than 40 years’ experience in crop genetics improvement for sustainable agriculture and bio-renewables. She has over 130 refereed publications, co-authored a genetics text book and is co-editor of books on genetic diversity and bioenergy. In 2007 she received the Royal Agricultural Society of England Research Medal and, in 2008, the Alfred-Toepfer Prize for her research achievements.
Phil Newbery – Member representative of Sir John Lawes School (Scholars Education Trust)
Philip is currently the Headteacher of Sir John Lawes School and his ethos is centred around achievement, care and excellence. He has been a Deputy Head in two different schools and has a passion for teaching and learning and school improvement.
Professor Penny Carey – Member representative of the University of Hertfordshire
Professor Penny Carey is Dean of the Schools of Law and Education and an experienced HE professional working nationally and
internationally in the field of legal education and leadership. Penny is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA).
Penny’s career began in private practice where she specialised in company and commercial litigation and corporate insolvency. Penny has worked at the University of Hertfordshire for nearly 30 years. Penny developed the National Award winning Law Clinic in 2019, and experiential learning and authentic assessment approaches are a particular strength of the School of Law. The School of Law is one of very few ‘full service’ Law Schools Nationally, offering programmes at UG and PG levels in academic, and professional legal education stages for intending solicitors and barristers. The School of Education has a very strong reputation nationally in all areas of Initial Teacher Education, and also offers broader policy based programmes at UG and PG level. Research is underpinned by a strong EdD programme for educational professionals.
Penny holds a number of sectoral positions including Chair of the Committee of Heads of University Law Schools, the voice of Law School management across the UK. Alongside this, Penny is Dean of The Law Society’s Learning and Development Steering Group. Penny is also a Director of LawCabs, and co-chair of a consortium of 12 UK Universities working in partnership with the largest provider of legal education in Malaysia.
David Martin – Trustee
David gained his Bachelor of Science degree in biological science, whilst studying in Edinburgh, before completing his PGCE at the University of Hertfordshire. David has been working in the education sector of Hertfordshire schools for over 19 years. He started his teaching career in Harpenden, working at Roundwood Park School, where he progressed to be a successful Head of Science and later seconded onto the school’s senior leadership team, in a role that supported other local secondary schools.
David moved to The Nobel School to take up the position of Assistant Headteacher where he was given responsibility for raising standards at KS4. He line-managed all three core subjects of English, maths and science and was responsible for assessments and exams. David has experience in Initial Teacher Training, co-ordinating the set-up of The Nobel School as a Lead Training school in partnership with UH.
David joined Katherine Warington School as its first Deputy Headteacher with overall responsibility for the quality of education, overseeing the curriculum, teaching and learning, behaviour for learning, reporting, assessment and data analysis. David succeeded to the position of Headteacher in February 2024.
Donna Witter – Trustee
Donna currently serves as a parent governor at KWS and sits on the Education Committee. She is an experienced educationalist having worked in the sector for the past 16 years starting out as a teacher. She spent much of her career working in a large London Comprehensive School in Hampstead before moving to Bedfordshire and taking up a post as an Assistant Head in a Secondary School. From there she moved to another large comprehensive school and on both occasions was Head of the English Department. In addition, she has trained as an English examiner and has overseen the marking of a plethora of English GCSE language scripts over the years.
Presently Donna works in a department within Hertfordshire Local Authority as an Education Advisor tracking the progress and attainment of a cohort of vulnerable children across East Hertfordshire, Welwyn, Hatfield, Bedfordshire and Lincolnshire. Her role sees her travelling across counties offering support to schools and teachers in positions of Senior Leadership – a role that she finds extremely fulfilling and rewarding.
Having three children of her own Donna is no stranger to governance and has also served as a parent governor for the past 8 years at her youngest son’s Primary School. Highlights have included helping the school to grow into two separate sites and championing the transition of this ‘Outstanding’ Primary to Academy status; additionally, serving as vice chair and then being voted to the post of Chair of Governors in the last academic year.
Previous pursuits have included stints in children’s television and for many years competing in brass bands competitions around the country and entertaining abroad. She is therefore proud to be a member of the ‘Brent Brass’ alumni.
Kate McGuinness – Trustee
Kate has worked in the Energy Sector for much of her career and currently heads a commercial operations team focussed on energy transition services within a multinational energy company. Kate finds one of the most fulfilling aspects of her role to be the enablement of growth and development of those within and around her team and she is excited about the prospect of making a similar impact within the KWS community.
Harpenden has been home to Kate and her family for almost 15 years with her children having attended schools locally. She is delighted to have been given the opportunity to help the area’s newest school achieve Knowledge Wellbeing and Success for all who walk through its doors.
Alex Vickers – Trustee
Alex joined the board in late 2020 as a finance trustee. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (England and Wales) having qualified over 10 years ago with a Big 4 Accountancy practice. He currently works for a multinational Financial Services Company as the UK Financial Controller in London and holds several Directorships within the Group. In this role, he is primarily responsible for financial reporting, financial process improvement and analysing annual performance against budgets.
Alex moved to Harpenden with his wife and two daughters three years ago and is excited about giving back to the local community through his role on the Board.
Simon Laing – Trustee
Simon has worked in the financial sector since graduating in Engineering Science. He is a CFA charterholder with over 22 years of experience at large multi-national firms. He has been responsible for teams managing US and Global Equity investment portfolios and has expertise in Socially Responsible Investing. In his roles, he has interacted with and advised public company managements and boards. In his current role he manages multi-asset investment portfolios for clients including schools and charities.
Simon and his wife have three sons and moved to the Harpenden area twenty years ago. He has coached local rugby and cricket teams and is delighted to have the opportunity to help KWS achieve its purpose.
Suzy Lawrence – Trustee
Suzy spent eight years working as a solicitor in London specialising in construction law before changing career to study for a PhD in Shakespeare. She now works in academia and is also involved in wider participation work which focuses on encouraging and enabling secondary school students to apply to university. She believes in the importance of ensuring that all educational opportunities are available to every student possible. Suzy lives in Wheathampstead and has two children. She is very grateful to have the opportunity to help Katherine Warington School achieve its aims of providing an inspiring and fulfilling education to all of its pupils.
Dani Cook – Trustee
Dani has 20 years of ecommerce business experience and has worked in 4 different countries in her career. She joined the KWS Trustee board in early 2022 and has enjoyed being part of the team. She has lived in Harpenden for 10+ years and has two children. She previously served on the parent committee of her children’s primary school.
Sally Pearson – Trustee
Sally is a qualified secondary school teacher of Modern Foreign Languages and has worked in various schools in her long career. The last 18 years she has taught at one of the other secondary schools in Harpenden. Sally has taught at GCSE and A Level, and has been an examiner for one of the examination boards.
Sally is no stranger to trusteeship and governance. She has been a trustee and administrator of a local church. She is very pleased to serve on the Education Committee as a trustee at KWS. She also has experience of running bereavement support groups for students, running extra-curricular activities, and going on school trips, both abroad and in the UK.
Sally has 3 grown-up children who have passed through the Harpenden school system. She supports the KWS ethos that young people have the right to a transformational educational experience that will enable them to fulfil their potential and realise their ambitions. She is excited to see students succeed as they are given the right support and opportunities as she has seen this in action so many times in her teaching career.
In her spare time, Sally enjoys reading, swimming, walking, and travelling.
Jamie Washburn – Trustee
Jamie has been an operations specialist for over 15 years. With a background in multiple industries including Banking, Professional services and Adult education he looks forward to bringing that experience to the school where he hopes to be part of the exciting journey as the school grows and flourishes. Jamie also spent almost 15 years as a uniformed member of staff for the Royal Air Force Cadets, having to recently retire due to a house move, he has spent a a lot of time working with the 11-18 age group, helping them to develop a wider range of skills for the wider world.
Jamie has a wife and 3 children, his eldest son has recently joined KWS after having moved to the Wheathampstead area at the beginning of 2021.
Adam Badi – Trustee
Adam Badi Is a Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA) with nearly 2 decades experience in the music industry. His accounting experience covers Royalties, Album, Video and Music Tour production liaising with major worldwide music giants such as Universal, EMI, Sony, BMG and Live Nation. He has also worked in the charity sector for humanitarian and grant giving organisations.
Louise Smith – Trustee
Following completion of her law degree, Louise has worked behind-the-scenes in Parliament for the past twenty years where she has held several roles. These have included supporting select committees with their scrutiny of government and, more recently, in the Commons Library where she manages a small team and provides impartial briefings to MPs on environmental law and policy.
Louise lives in Harpenden and has a son at KWS. She is impressed by the school’s nurturing approach and its combination of tradition with innovation. Louise has enjoyed seeing this approach in practice and is delighted to join the trust board. She welcomes the opportunity to support the school as it continues to grow and develop.
Liz Wilson – Trustee
Liz has 3 daughters at KWS. She is a partner in an international law firm in London specialising in corporate and business taxes and loves making complex tax rules easy to understand. Liz and her husband have a local food business, manufacturing ingredients mixes for supermarkets and wholesalers.
Liz applied to be a trustee because she is a firm believer in the power of education to transform lives of children and also their families and that success comes in many forms.
Colin Noakes
Colin has lived in Harpenden for 34 years and is married with two grown up sons. Professionally he has been Head of Operational Audit in an Oil Company, IT Director in an accountancy firm, Programme Director in IT company and Client Delivery Director responsible for large transformation programmes in complex companies, the MoD and the NHS. He is a member of the Chartered Management Institute and the Chartered Institute for IT.
He has always had an interest in education and was Chair of a Crabtree Parents Association, a Governor at Roundwood Secondary School and for the last 8 years he has been a Governor and Chair at Sauncey Wood Primary school.
Colin believes one of the key roles of a Trustee is to make sure the school team has what it needs to ensure all children reach their full potential.
Jessica Bonnington – Governance Professional
Jessica graduated from the University of Birmingham with a BSocSc in Political Science and Social Policy. Her early career was spent working for politicians in the US Senate and the UK Parliament. After a stint in political consultancy, she has spent the majority of her career as a civil servant in the Serious Organised Crime Agency and the Home Office, specialising in crime and policing policy.
She has also worked as Policy Director for the Police & Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire and served as Chair of the Board of a construction company.
Jessica has two daughters at local Harpenden schools and is looking forward to joining KWS at the next stage of its journey.