Category: Parent Governor

Term: Until 9 December 2022

Current membership and responsibilities

Academisation, Headteacher’s Performance, Finance

Governor Experience

Since 10 December 2018.

Until October 2021 - Safeguarding link governor

Professional Experience and Personal Interests

We moved to Whittington about 6 years ago and have two children at the school. I have a master’s degree from Oxford University, and post-graduate qualifications from law schools in Leeds and London. I began work as a self-employed barrister 15 years ago, and did my training in London, mainly at the Old Bailey. I left London and worked in Nottingham and Birmingham for many years. For a long time, the Attorney-General would instruct me to defend the Government in civil and employment law cases at courts outside of London. I also spent several years advising and representing Birmingham City Council on a very wide range of local government law. Whilst I was doing lots of commercial cases, I became a deputy finance director of my chambers and was trained in the role at the Institute of Directors.

I came to Lichfield for the first time when the District Council hired me to teach its councillors about their ethical and legal duties, and help them with some of their policies. After we moved to Whittington, I decided to specialise in criminal law. I have a busy practice, appearing in very serious criminal trials throughout England. I work mainly for the CPS, defence solicitors, and the Serious Fraud Office, although I also have a special qualification that allows me to represent clients directly, without them needing a solicitor. Much of my day-to-day work involves, sadly, trials where children are the victims of crime. In my spare time I am a non-executive director of two international NGOs, I sit on various Bar Council committees, and I teach courtroom skills to junior barristers.

Business and Financial Interests

N/A