Simon Black
Simon is the proud parent of two daughters, the eldest being a former student of The Ecclesbourne School who has recently graduated from university. His youngest joined the school in 2023, moving up from William Gilbert.
He is a Project Manager with Severn Trent Water, having recently retired from the British Army after 29 years’ service. He finished his service as a Staff Officer within the head office of the Army. Becoming a trustee in October 2024, Simon brings transferrable skills in planning, leadership and followership within diverse teams and complex projects. He provides extensive experience in supporting the operations of senior leadership teams within UK Defence and Government up to Ministerial level.
Outside of work Simon has developed a broad level of experience working within voluntary youth engagement activities, as part of the Scout Association, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, British Canoeing and the Royal Yachting Association. He has also participated in initiatives to engage with hard-to-reach young people as a volunteer youth worker and trustee. Simon is passionate about the Safe Guarding of young people, so that all have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
In 2023 Simon was co-opted onto Duffield Parish Council, where he sits as an Independent Councillor not affiliated to any political party. He is a member of the Strategic Development Committee as well as the Anti-Social Behaviour and Traffic & Parking Working Groups. He believes that The Ecclesbourne School is at the heart of our community and would like to contribute in whatever way he can to its continued success as a trustee, while also providing a link to the Parish Council.
Sanjeev Chopra
Sanjeev brings a wealth of experience and financial expertise to the board. He has an MSc in Chemistry and is a qualified accountant with many years of experience with EON UK before working in Germany from 2013. Sanjeev specialised in corporate transformation and has subsequently held senior roles at National Grid, KPMG and is now leading a large programme of work at SSE PLC. Sanjeev is a parent trustee and says “I am very passionate about my girls’ opportunity to learn, grow and enrich their lives.” Outside of work Sanjeev is a long-suffering Everton supporter and a huge fan of cricket. Although his playing days are now very limited, he still enjoys the odd batting knock when up against family and friends. Sanjeev is a member of the Finance and Resources Committee and the Students and Curriculum Committee. Sanjeev has been a trustee since March 2023.
Lisa Davison
Lisa brings legal and management expertise to the Board. Lisa is a real estate lawyer with over 20 years’ experience in acting for both public and private bodies in the sale, acquisition, refinance and redevelopment of commercial property, currently specialising in health and social care and the charities sectors. Lisa is a partner of a national law firm and is heavily involved in strategic planning, business development and risk and compliance, all of which are valuable skills which she brings to the role.
Lisa lives in Duffield, having relocated from Sheffield in 2022. Lisa has 2 daughters, with her eldest starting Ecclesbourne in September 2024 and is passionate about supporting the continued success and development of the school and its community.
Suzanne Dixon
Suzanne is a parent trustee with a strong background in education and governance, having had over 9 years trustee experience. Suzanne gained the National Leader of Governance qualification in 2019, which has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the role and responsibilities of a school trustee and how best to support the school and board. Suzanne is passionate about the quality of education and the impact it can have. Suzanne has two children at the school. Suzanne’s work for public sector bodies as health and safety consultant and trainer as well as running her own business brings a strong understanding of risk management and the ability to apply that knowledge to ensure the overall safety and well-being of students, staff, and the wider school community. Suzanne is Chair of the Students and Curriculum Committee and a member of Human Resources Committee. Suzanne has been a trustee since March 2023.
Tim Harris
Tim Harris is a graduate of Durham University and a postgraduate of Warwick University. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, and Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute, and a Chartered Insurance Practitioner. He has spent his career in professional services and the insurance industry, and has been a Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deputy CEO and Group Finance Director at Royal London, and most recently Chief Financial Officer at Direct Line Group, as well as a member of the Board of the Association of British Insurers, and a member of the Practitioners Panel of the Bank of England Regulation Authority. He now spends his time as a Non-Executive Director, and as an Executive Coach. He is Chair of the Strategic Oversight Committee and a member of the Human Resources and the Finance and Resources Committees. Tim has been a trustee since March 2019.
Shamsa Hussain
Shamsa has two children currently at Ecclesbourne and an additional two expected to join in the following few years. Shamsa believes in our missio to ensureall children are provided with an enriched education that will allow them to reach their full potential and equip them with the skills to open doors to future opportunities, in an environment in which they feel safe and have mutual respect for everyone. Shamsa is employed in Project Management in the not-for-profit sector. She is currently working in a team to develop the organsiation’s four-year strategy using her project management skills, to plan, develop and deliver a clear strategy to achieve the organisation’s aims and goals. Shamsa’s diverse experience and skill base is an asset to the board of trustees to work towards Ecclesbourne school’s governing principle, to make the school even better. Shamsa is a member of the Students and Curriculum Committee and the Human Resources Committee. Shamsa has been a trustee since March 2023.
Richard Lindop
Richard Lindop is a graduate of Cambridge University and a Chartered Mechanical Engineer. He has spent nearly 50 years in the railway industry in a career that has covered maintenance of rolling stock and plant, consultancy, project management, marketing, investment planning, buildings management, safety and leadership of engineering design teams on major infrastructure projects. He is now semi-retired but still engaged advising clients on design and safety for new stations and other developments. He has been a Governor at Ecclesbourne School for over 20 years and Chair of Governors since 2011.
Huw Lloyd
Huw has a daughter in Year 9 and one who will be joining Ecclesbourne School soon. He is passionate about helping their school to be the best possible school for them, their friends and every child in the community to attend today and in the future.
Huw has worked in education for over twenty years, in a variety of roles, initially in mainstream secondary schools where he managed and lead primary Year Six to secondary Year Seven transition and then as Assistant Headteacher leading Key Stage Four. He went on to work in and lead a Pupil Referral Unit, working with students with the most challenging behaviours and finally a Special School for students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. Huw now works as a consultant and trainer, visiting schools up, down and across the United Kingdom, primarily working with school to create a culture which promotes positive behaviour across the whole school community, ensuring everyone feels valued and can achieve their full potential. He also works in helping schools to improve their safeguarding and staff and student well being. All of these positions have equipped him with knowledge, understanding and skills which are of great benefit to the board. In his spare time Huw is a keen follower of sport, including Rugby Union, Football and especially Cricket, coaching football and writing for cricket websites and producing a cricket podcast on life after cricket.
Huw is a member of the Finance and Resources Committee and the Students and Curriculum Committee. Huw has been a trustee since March 2023.
John Minton
John Minton has worked at Ecclesbourne for over fifty years initially as a teacher until retirement, and subsequently as Community Liaison Officer working as part of the Facilities Management team. For the last 14 years he has been a staff Governor. John says: “I am totally committed to ensuring that the Ecclesbourne School continues to be a beacon of excellence under inspirational and exemplary leadership. The school is over halfway through a 20-year Master Plan whose aim is to make all school buildings and campus visually exciting, thermally efficient, robust, fit for purpose and to future proof infrastructure. I am passionate about this wonderful school which has served so many generations of students and I believe that students’ learning can be enriched through visits and exchanges in this country and abroad. It has given me great satisfaction to be involved in exchange visits over the last forty years to Denmark, Sweden, and America.” John is a member of the Finance and Resources Committee and the Admissions Committee.
Mark Rees
Mark was a former pupil of The Ecclesbourne School and has 3 children that will all be working their way through the Ecclesbourne journey over the next few years. Mark has fond memories of his time at school and is looking forward to helping shape its’ future.
Mark runs a successful retail, wholesale, digital and manufacturing business, Henry & Co, and brings a wealth of broad commercial experience and expertise to the role. He has previously sat on advisory panels for 2 PLCs and his business has won numerous industry awards over the last 25 years.
Following a health scare in 2021, Mark has put a significant amount of study into well-being, mindfulness, neuro-science and work life balance. He is keen to use this and his business knowledge to best support the pupils and staff.
Jane Travis
Jane’s career began in journalism and communications before starting a new occupation as a primary school teacher in 2020. She trained in schools during lockdown and this highly intense experience throughout the challenging times of the pandemic made Jane acutely aware of the huge importance that a varied and quality education has on young people’s mental health and love of learning.
Jane’s personal passion is around protecting the environment and reducing the carbon footprint of schools, as well as enhancing their green spaces. “Working practically within the environment provides a superb opportunity for young people to benefit from caring for their local, precious, outside spaces and the nature within them – as well as boosting their own mental and physical wellbeing,” Jane says.
Jane’s other passion is around physical recreation and the great outdoors, where her hobbies include coaching junior cricket, running, sea-swimming and long walks in the countryside with her family.