Meet Christ's Non-staff Governors
Johanna Brotherstone was elected as a parent governor in December 2021; her two children are Christ's students. Jo studied Politics and Social Policy at Newcastle University, and started her career in politics, before moving to journalism. She is a senior news editor at Sky News, having previously worked at BBC News for 20 years. She is a champion for equal representation in the media, and a passionate supporter of apprentices and trainees. Jo has lived in Brentford since 2009 and attends St Paul’s Church where she is a Sunday school leader.
Nicky Browne was appointed a foundation governor in 2023. She has lived in Richmond for over thirty years, attends St Mary Magdalene church and sings in the choir. Nicky has a degree in Philosophy and Theology from the University of Oxford, a PGCE from the University of Cambridge and MBA from Manchester Business School. She has worked chiefly as a self-employed writer having published nine novels for young people. She has a doctorate in Creative Writing and has taught at a number of universities. She currently tutors for Oxford University’s continuing education programme. Her four children attended local schools and she spend some years as a parent governor at a local primary school. She is passionate about the transformative power of education.
Penny Cox was appointed as an SDBE foundation governor in June 2021. Penny lived in Richmond for over 30 years and attended Holy Trinity Church. Penny has an MA in Effective Learning from the Institute of Education. She is a retired primary school headteacher and was honoured to receive an MBE for services to education. Penny currently lives in Dorset but is a frequent visitor to Richmond. Penny is a strong advocate of the state education system and the extra dimension that a school with Christian values can bring to all members of its community. She is committed to working hard to support Christ's School's pursuit of excellence for all its students.
Aya Dibsi, a chartered architect residing in Richmond Borough since 2015, was elected as a parent governor for Christ's School in November 2023, where her two children are enrolled. Committed to elevating academic standards and ensuring equitable access to opportunities for all students, Aya actively collaborates with several community organizations. Additionally, she volunteers as a secretary for the 1st Richmond Scout group and has demonstrated her dedication as a longstanding member of the Marshgate Primary School PSA over the years.
Dan Evans is a parent governor, currently with two children in the school and one at Holy Trinity primary. His career has been at the Department for Education in a variety of roles, including early years finance, special educational needs and more recently the school curriculum. He joined Christ's Board of Governors in November 2019, having been a governor at Windham Nursery School for 9 years, most recently as deputy chair, and as chair of the resources committee.
Katy Johnston was appointed a foundation governor in June 2019. Katy has lived in Richmond for over 10 years and attends Holy Trinity Church. She has a degree in Modern Languages from the University of Oxford and an MA in Systematic Theology from King's College London. She worked in publishing and investment banking, before retraining as a secondary school teacher after her daughter started school. Katy is a trustee of the Riverbank Trust, a local charity, and of the West London Deaf Children's Society. She believes in the importance of the best possible educational experience for children of all needs and backgrounds, and is delighted to be on the Governing Board of Christ's School.
Fay Johnstone was appointed a foundation governor in October 2018, representing the Richmond Team Ministry. She has lived in and around Richmond for most of her life, and attended school in the borough. Fay has a BSc(Hons) degree in Psychology from The Open University, and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development. Fay is currently undertaking a senior HR interim career, with projects including Director of People & Services at The Complete Education Services Group, an organisation providing education to neuro-diverse pupils, and Interim People Services Delivery lead at the Nursing & Midwifery Council. Fay has spent over 30 years leading and managing HR functions in both the private and not-for-profit sectors, including in medical royal colleges, social research, social housing, further education, real estate and FM consultancy, travel and defence research. Fay has worshipped and sung in the choir at St Mary Magdalene for over 40 years, and occasionally deputises for the Director of Music. Fay has previously been a foundation governor at a junior/primary school in the borough.
Helen Kelsey was appointed a foundation governor in 2024. She has lived in West London all her life and attends St John the Divine Church, part of Richmond Team Ministry, where she is active with the children's work and safeguarding. Helen is maths lead at St Mary's CofE Primary School, Twickenham. She has a degree in History of Art from the University of York and completed TeachFirst with a PGDE from Institute of Education at UCL She has worked as a primary school teacher in Feltham, Teddington and Twickenham and has led reading, and maths and served on SLT. Prior to teaching, Helen worked in production for Harper Collins publishers, and for Mills & Boon in Richmond. She has a young family and is passionate about ensuring the educational landscape continues to look bright in the years ahead.
Sean Morris was appointed a foundation governor in 2024. Sean lived in and around the Richmond area for 30 years. Sean and his family moved to Shepperton but he still has links to the area and attends Holy Trinity Church. Sean has four adult children who were all educated in Richmond schools. Sean is an IT professional who is on the senior leadership of a UK based managed services provider. He runs a team of consultants who specialise in IT services migration and transformation to the Public Cloud.
Michelle Prance was appointed a foundation governor in Jan 2024. Michelle has lived in Barnes and Cheltenham for over 10 years attending St Mary's and St Michael's. She attended school in Australia and has a degree in Economics from La Trobe University. Michelle has worked in Financial Services for over 20 years, in senior leadership roles including attending and advising various boards. She is a member of several employee networks including the Black Professionals network and Women in Banking. Michelle has two children attending local schools including Christs and believes in the importance of a diverse education for all in order to equip our young people with curiosity and resilience to fulfill their potential and make this world a better place. She believes in creating fair and equal opportunities especially for young women and under-represented people and is privileged to be a member of the Governing Board of Christ's School.
Caroline Pusey has been a Local Authority governor at Christ's since 2017. She has lived in Kew for many years and her children attend Christ's. She enjoys supporting her local community and has a strong commitment to ensuring high quality education for all. Professionally she has degrees in International Relations from Birmingham and Aberystwyth and worked for over 25 years in central government in a large variety of roles, including most recently in the Department for Education. She currently works as Chief Operating Officer for a Multi-Academy Trust, based in Oxfordshire, responsible for a number of primary and secondary schools.
The Revd Canon Wilma Roest moved to Richmond in 2016 to be the new Team Rector of the Richmond Team Ministry and Vicar of St Mary Magdalene. An aspect of that role is to be governor at Christ’s School, which Wilma greatly enjoys. Wilma has a background in musicology (University of Utrecht) and education (teacher and teacher governor in various state primary school). She was ordained in 1999 and has since served in various Church of England parishes in South London. Wilma is passionate about the ethos of Christ’s School and its connections with the local community. In her free time Wilma enjoys travelling, snorkelling and underwater photography, and the occasional very slow run in Richmond Park.
Peter Sharp entered teaching in 2004 and has taught in maintained and independent schools, including as Director of Teaching & Learning and Deputy Head (Academic). In the summer of 2021 he stepped down from his full-time role in school leadership to pursue his enthusiasm for supporting schools and students as an educational consultant. While living locally he worshipped at St Mary Magdalene where he learnt about Christ’s School and has been a foundation governor since November 2017. He has particular interests in leadership, the professional development of teachers and life-long learning.
Martin Walsh qualified as a chartered accountant 30 years ago. He has spent his senior career in finance and operations roles in media and, most recently, in education. He and his family have lived in the Richmond Borough for over 20 years. He is a trustee of a charity supporting school staff who suffer financial hardship and previously held trustee roles in a large local sports club and a students’ union.
