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Governors’ biographies

St Marylebone CE Bridge School Governing Body

Governors’ biographies

Elizabeth Carey (Chairman of Finance and Premises Committee – Co-opted Representative)

I am a governor of SMBS because I am a member of the St. Marylebone parish and a parent of two children in secondary school, one with special educational needs.  I have first-hand knowledge of the extra commitment that is required to nurture a child with speech, language and communication needs and the care that goes into selecting a secondary school.  In addition to SMBS, I am a parent governor of Maria Fidelis Catholic School in Camden.  

Despite living in London since 1996, I remain an American citizen.  My professional life has been spent in banking (both in the US and London) and asset management.  Besides focusing on my family, SMBS and MFCS, I advise local authorities on their pension funds. I have a BA from Yale University and am a CFA Charterholder.

The Reverend Stephen Evans (Vice Chairman - Foundation Governor)

I have been a School Governor, Chair of Governors, Trustee and Appointing Trustee since
1986 in both the maintained and independent school sectors, across primary and secondary,
church and non-church schools. In 2011, I became a Fellow of the Woodard Corporation, an
extended ‘family’ of 46 independent, maintained, and Academy Schools. I have been Rector
of Marylebone since 2010. Prior to ordination, I served as a Seaman Officer in the Royal
Navy. I have degrees from Oxford and Aberdeen Universities and have always maintained a
strong interest in education and continuing professional development.

Steven Larcombe (Chairman of Audit and Risk Committee - Foundation Governor)

I have been on the St Marylebone Bridge School Governing Body since March 2014.  I spent
my working life in the oil and gas industry working on exploration and development projects
around the world, mainly in commercial negotiations and general management.  I am now
chairman of a software start-up company and treasurer of a small local charity.  I am also a
governor of the The St Marylebone CE School where I chair the Finance and Premises
Committee.

Eliza Low (Foundation Governor)

I work as a music consultant, mostly producing scores for film and theatre, and as a composer and opera producer. I previously worked as a print journalist. I am a trustee of The
Classical Road Show, which commissions and produces orchestral works for participatory concerts for primary schools and runs a ‘Front Row Project’ for Secondary Schools to encourage music appreciation and concert going. I am the Kensington Deanery representative on the LDBS (London Diocesan Board for Schools) and have a keen interest in education and in the arts. As a governor I want to ensure that the Bridge school continues to enrich its students’ lives, delivering the best possible offer and broad education.

Kate Miller (Head of School)

I am a trained drama teacher and specialist Dyslexia teacher. I have been working at
Marylebone Girls’ school since 2008 and joined the Bridge school in its first year of opening.
I am passionate about education and ensuring that all pupils reach their full potential. Being
part of the Governing body allows me to understand all aspects of the school as a teacher, a
governor and Head of School.

Jane Morel (parent Governor)

I recently joined the SMBS Governing Body as a parent governor. I am a mother of three boys, one of which has special needs and attends SMBS. I have been so impressed with the progress that my son has made in terms of his personal and academic developments in the short time that he has been at SMBS that I decided to take up this role. As a governor, I am keen to ensure that all children at the Bridge School are empowered and support to achieve their full potentials. To this end, I will do all I can to support the school in their works in my role.
I am a partner in a law firm with specialisms in tax, trusts, a professional Court of Protection
Deputy and Trustee. I have over 20 years experience in these areas of law and extensive experience representing children and adult with mental health challenges at the Court of
Protection.

Margaret Mountford (Chairman of Governors – Co-opted representative)

I was partner in a major City law firm specialising in corporate, corporate finance and
commercial work until I went back to university to study Classics. I have been a non-
executive director on a number of public company boards and am now Chairman of Argent
Foods Limited, a major UK food group in private ownership. I am also Chairman of
governors at Marylebone Boys School and a trustee of a charity in the Classics field.

Kat Pugh (Executive Headteacher)

I trained as a teacher of English and Drama at Cambridge University, following my degree
studies there in English Literature.  I then worked in business, communications and
international development, spending a year working in Malawi running a community health
and education project using theatre and story-telling.  On return to the UK and the charity
sector, I began working in schools and chose to begin my teaching career in a large
comprehensive school in Croydon.  I came to St Marylebone two years later as a teacher of
English and Head of Year.  In 2009 I joined the Senior Leadership Team, during which time I
collaborated in the bid for St Marylebone to open The St Marylebone CE Bridge School, a
Special Free School.  When appointed Headteacher at St Marylebone in January 2014, I also
became the Executive Headteacher of The St Marylebone CE Bridge School.  In this capacity,
I give strategic direction and support to the Head of School and team, am the most
immediately on-hand educational resource and link to the St Marylebone Teaching School
Alliance and am very pleased to serve on the Governing Body.

Naz Shamlian (Parent Governor)

I became a governor of SMBS as I have a son with various additional needs who struggled to
fit into his previous schools. Since attending SMBS he has felt safe and now has the
confidence to form friendships and work towards getting qualifications. As a governor it is
my aim to make sure as many children as possible get this chance and do all I can to help the
governing body while also ensuring the views of the parents are heard.
I hold a BSc in Economics from the University of London and have worked in various areas of
Investment Banking for the last 25 years. Apart from that I act as a taxi driver for my three
children and have a helped a number of start-ups over the last 5 years.

Tim Smith (Staff Governor)

After graduating from Central St Martin’s College of Arts I spent the first part of my career in
the fashion and creative industries, in New York and London, before retraining as a teacher
in 2008. I spent the next ten years in the further education sector as a teacher and manager,
focussing on students with special educational needs and re-engaging those who had poor
educational experiences. During this time, I successfully established a series of partnerships
with external organisations and businesses, including the London Mayor’s Office and City
Hall. These programmes enabled students to participate in and experience a range of
activities and industry sectors that they would not have experienced. The programmes, and
the skills they developed in students, were a key factor in my winning the Pearson-
sponsored Outstanding BTEC Teacher of the Year in 2015. Since joining St Marylebone
Bridge School in 2018 I have continued to work closely with external organisations as part of
the careers team to provide our students with the skills and creativity to enhance their
learning experience.    I am looking forward to contributing positively to the opportunities
the new school build will offer.

Alistair Watson (Foundation Governor)

State educated, I trained as a teacher after graduation but feeling I lacked a sense of
vocation the profession demanded took a different direction, first in government service,
mainly with the Royal Navy and then in the legal industry as partnership secretary in a
leading City law firm. On retirement at the end of 2017, I wanted to try to repay in some way
what I owed for the opportunities provided to me through education. I am a Foundation
Governor of The St Marylebone CE School.  I am also a member of an Academy Trust with
schools in Poplar and Ipswich as well as a Trustee of the Royal British Legion Industries and a
Pilotlighter.

Herries Street, London, W10 4LE

020 3693 4752