Andrea Taylor
I spent 20 years in banking, having previously worked in the law, as did my husband.
I have one daughter who for the past 12 years has been a Head Teacher in a 3 form entry Primary
School in Surrey. She has recently qualified as a school inspector within the OFSTED framework.
Over the years I have taken an interest in education and, having lived in the Walton and Weybridge
area for the past 25 years, I was very pleased to be offered the opportunity to become a governor at
Grovelands.
I enjoy reading, music and the theatre. These days my life tends to centre around my family and my
dogs.
Sheena Prema
I am a Technical Architect in the IT industry with over 13 years IT experience. I currently work as a
member of a professional services team providing technical lead on projects and offering technical
guidance on all areas of IT infrastructure.
Outside of work I love to spend time with my family. I enjoy reading, traveling when I can and
keeping fit and healthy.
I have been an Associate Member since 2015 and I feel this role is to positively contribute to the
successful development of both the children and school. I sit on the Children’s Centre and Standards
& School Improvement committees.
Sue Cawood
I am a self-employed Graphic Designer and Illustrator, working for diverse clients ranging from small
businesses and charities to multi-national companies … right up to Her Majesty the Queen. I love the
fact that every project I am involved with is different, and the challenges are constantly changing.
Besides spending time with my family, my interests include life drawing, keeping fit and traveling; I
enjoyed an extended trip to the Far East a few years ago and my next goal is to visit South America,
but in the meantime I have to keep my nose to the grindstone in order to be able to afford it…!
I became an Associate Member on the FGB of Grovelands in 2013. I am also on the Governing Body
of another Primary School in Surrey and thoroughly enjoy being involved with the schools and
playing a part in the communities surrounding them.
Alison Pope
I qualified as a chartered accountant 11 years ago and last year became a fellow of the Institute of
Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. I also have a first class honours degree in Accounting
and Finance.
I am currently taking a career break to look after my two young sons who are 4 and 2. My eldest son
started in reception at Grovelands last September and is really enjoying it.
I previously worked in the Group Finance department of a publically listed company that provided
technical consulting and business services across highways & transportation, local government,
property, education and utilities sectors. My role involved preparing each individual company’s
statutory accounts and tax returns, group consolidation, liaising with the auditors and preparing
group consolidated accounts for publication to the group’s stakeholders.
I have been a governor since April 2015. I am a member of the Leadership and Management
Committee and Chair the Finance Committee.
Tyrone Lawless
I am an Hr and Commercial manager in the retail industry with over 15 years of management
experience. I am a keen rugby player and am heavily involved at both Esher RFC and Surrey County
where I am responsible for licensing, Discipline and child protection amongst many other activities
including managing the amateurs and Surrey County vets team.
I have a twelve year old son who attended Grovelands and is now in year 8 of a local secondary
school.
Apart from Rugby my interests (or should I say my son's) are Theme park Rollercoasters, Computing,
Kayaking, 5K running and Peak Climbing.
I have been a Governor at Grovelands for nine years and four as Chair of Governors. During this time
I have seen many changes at the school and I am proud to still be part of the effective Governing
Body and work alongside Mrs Nichols and the school team towards delivering better outcomes for
the children of this school. I am also Chair of another Surrey primary School and have qualified as an
Additional Skills Governor and National Leader of Governance. I am often deployed into other
schools to assist the governance and to coach/mentor existing and new governors.
Dan Robinson
I have been working in the education sector since 1998, running two successful recruitment
businesses in the City before helping with the relaunch of the TES in London in 2006. I currently
account manage the IT hosted services supplied to 2500 London schools through the London Grid for
Learning (LGfL) Educational Trust, and promote the TRUSTnet portfolio to schools outside London.
I have been a Governor at Grovelands for over 5 years, and Chair the Leadership & Management
committee and Strategy and Vision sub committee, as well as reporting on Maths and PE at the
school.
I have two daughters in Y9 and Y6 in local schools, and hobbies include allotmenteering, and playing
the bass guitar with other local musos.
Mandy Campbell
I worked as an HR Manager for over 30 years in both investment banking and the legal sector. I
retired (early) in 2013 and, as well as becoming a Governor, I am training as a volunteer adviser for
the Citizen's Advice Bureau.
Fran Sims
I have been a civil servant for 8 years, working at the Department for Education, the Cabinet Office
and HM Treasury. I currently work on public spending in the Treasury, as Head of Public Sector Pay.
Before joining the civil service, I was Parliamentary Researcher to an MP in the House of Commons.
I have been a governor at Grovelands since 2015 and am on the Leadership and Management and Pay
committees.
In my spare time I enjoy walking up mountains, gardening, singing, travelling and watching rugby.
Nikki Gray
I have been working with parents and children in children's centres for the past 12 years in 3 different
local authorities, Kingston, Wandsworth and Surrey. I hold a First Class Honours Degree in Early Years
Leadership and Management, I also hold an Early Years Practitioner Status, currently now known as
Early Years Teacher Status and the National Professional Qualification for Integrated Leadership.
During my time in Wandsworth I was a Centre Manager and managed 4 Local Authority Children's
Centres but wanted to get back to working directly with families. As a practitioner I am trained to
facilitate PEEP, Solihull, Family Links Parenting Puzzle and Parenting Boys, something that I am
passionate about.
I have 3 grown up children, 2 boys and a girl who all went to local primary and secondary schools in
Walton. I enjoy playing tennis in my spare time and belong to a local club.
Dipesh Parmar
I work as a Taxation Manager with a firm of Chartered Accountants and have been with the firm for
over 15 years.
Tony Popham
I run my own business, and have done for over 30 years. I am a former councillor of 14 years
and I’m restanding in the May elections for The Molesey Residents Association. I was
Chairman of the Environmental Affairs, Chairman of the Sustainability Strategy Working
Group, which was a forerunner to Elmbridge’s Environmental and Sustainability Strategy, a
former member of the North Area Planning Committee and a member of the Full Planning
Committee.
I have a 16 year old stepson and a 10 year old daughter.
My stepson attends Rydens School in his final GCSE year and plays for their school football
team, my daughter attends Bell Farm Junior School which she enjoys and is very happy, her
favourite sport is athletics and she is one of the fastest sprinters in her age group in Surrey.
I am a trustee of The Molesey Junior Football Team, I’m a former chairman of the Esher
Rugby Amateur Sides and acting Chairman until June. I’m also on the Surrey disciplinary
panel.
I have been a School Governor for over 2 years, and my experience in business and local
politics I believe is beneficial to the School and helping them to achieve excellent standards
and I work well with the Governing Body.
My interests are Rugby, Football, Athletics, Music and Local Politics.
Deborah Black
I retired from Primary School teaching following the death of my husband. I have taught
years 1 - 6 during the span of my career. I have also been an hotelier in Eastbourne, hard
work but fun. Now I enjoy being a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Educators, a
member of the social committee and various social activities within the City of London.
I have three sons and three grandchildren. Two 6 year old boys and a 22 month old
granddaughter who all live in Eastbourne. Although I spend much time in Walton-onThames, my home is in Eastbourne, at present being lived in by two of my sons.
I read extensively and have a passion for yoga.
Laura Walsh
I have worked at Grovelands Primary School for 5 years as the Office Manager, my role is
pivotal in insuring an effective quality service to all stakeholders. I am working towards a
level 4 diploma in school business management.
I became a staff governor in July 2014, to enhance my understanding of the school’s
leadership and strategic direction. I am a member of the S&SI committee as well as taking
on the role of link governor.
I have 2 children aged 12 and 10. When I have spare time I enjoy running and have
completed the London Marathon twice, as well as numerous half marathons, 10k and 5k
races.
Christine Cross
I was born in Bristol and moved to London at the Age of 21 to take up employment with the
BBC.
I have lived in Walton for 24 years where my children all attended local schools, I have been
an active member of the Walton Conservatives for the last 16 years and a Walton North
Councillor for 9 years. I am also a member of the Cabinet as Portfolio Holder for Community
Development and take part in making important decisions for Elmbridge, I have sat on many
Committees including Planning and was a Member of the Walton Steering group that
overviewed the local neighbourhood Wardens to Walton, I also work closely with local
Police teams on behalf of Elmbridge and was Chairman of the Walton & Hersham Police &
Community Partnership (better known as the PCPG) until it was disbanded in 2003 to be
replaced by the Current Police Panels.
I have been working for the NHS in an administration role for 19 years and have been a
Governor at Grovelands school for about 13 years, taking just a short break of a couple of
years in between.
Keiran C.P. O'Neill
I am a Local Government Officer specialising in Licensing Enforcement at London Borough of
Hounslow. As part of my work with LB Hounslow I regularly report to the Safety Advisory
Group which is attended by senior Officers in the Met Police and Heads of Service at the
Council, I advise on large scale event applications and handle licensing conditions such as
producing Risk Assessments and Noise Management Plans etc.
I present at Licensing Sub-Committee hearings on a fortnightly basis and also act as a
Responsible Authority when objecting or reviewing licence applications. I also work as a
private consultant for Logical Licensing Ltd where I represent applicants who wish to obtain
a new Premises Licence.
I play Rugby at Esher for their social team ‘The Priors’ and Rugby League for Surrey Sharks in
Guildford. I moved down from Cheshire to Surrey 3 years ago and I am now taking more of
an interest in local issues. I have been a Co-Opted Governor for over a year now and have
handled discipline committee for School Exclusions as well as voting on key issues affecting
the governance of the School. I do not have any children and I am not even nearly close to
that stage of my life, so I think what I bring to the role is a certain amount of objectivity and
detachment in order to apply logic and weight to any decision making process.
Jo Hickey
I am a Principle Speech and Language Therapist and have worked in mainstream primary
and secondary schools for the NHS in North West London for 16 years. I live with my
husband and our two children - Lilia our daughter who is in Year 1 and our son George who
is 2 years old.
I have been a parent governor for the last two years for Grovelands Primary School and I am
the lead governor for Pupil Premium and SEN. I feel privileged to be a parent governor and
enjoy being involve in many aspects of school life. The happiness and wellbeing of our
children alongside the development of all aspects of their learning continues to be our main
priority as school governors.