This is the Compass Partnership of Schools’ Board of Trustees. The Trustees have been appointed for the variety of skills and expertise that they bring to a charitable trust.

 

Susan skidmore

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Retired head teacher

Susan has extensive experience within the primary and adult education sectors in various teaching roles and, latterly, as a leader, mentor and consultant, focussing on leading teams through complex transitions. She also specialises in governance, having supported and led governing bodies, ensuring compliance, challenge and engagement.

Susan is committed to inspiring growth, not just in outcomes, but in adults and children alike. Appointed as one of the first national consultant leaders, her approach centres on leadership with vision, purpose and authenticity where others feel empowered to reach beyond perceived limits, embrace change and realise their full potential.

With two grown-up children, she now enjoys taking her grandchildren out on exciting day trips and, when she has time, reading historical novels.

 

Mary Whitehead

Retired head teacher, national leader of education and school governor

Mary has taught in early years and primary settings and became a head teacher in Greenwich in 2000. Mary established the Royal Greenwich Teaching School Alliance, and became a national leader of education, before retiring in 2014. She is passionate about education in school and wider educational issues.

Hugh Lewis

Chair of Business Committee

Hugh was a qualified solicitor being a partner in a high street practice for over 30 years before his retirement in 2023. He specialised in land law and trusts with his client base including local companies and charities. As a business owner Hugh possessed key financial and analytical skills to ensure that his practice meets and satisfies ever-changing economic and regulatory demands. Having been a school governor for 16 years, Hugh possesses a good knowledge of the requirements of school governance, including the need to challenge and support school leaders, while always focusing on the well-being, safety and development of each pupil.  

Nathalie Fitzgerald

Chair of Standards Committee
Head Teacher, Hawkswood Primary PRU & SEMH School & Hawkswood Secondary Thapeutic School

Nathalie has a strong background in education, across both primary and secondary phases.  Nathalie is passionate about improving educational outcomes, experiences, and life chances of disadvantaged children, and is the Executive Head Teacher at Hawkswood Primary PRU and SEMH School and Hawkswood Secondary Therapeutic School in Waltham Forest.  Her experiences in education have shaped and developed a strong moral purpose, which enable to her to champion the importance of inclusion, disadvantage, and holistic approaches to teaching, learning and the curriculum. Nathalie has twelve years of experience as a governor and is passionate about supporting schools locally as a resident of the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

 

Simon Hayward

Deputy Chair of Trustees
Chair of Audit and Risk Committee
Programs Director UK portfolio, London & Continental Railways
Associate Partner, Parceman Hill Associates Consultancy
 

Simon is an accomplished C-suite appointee, NED and experienced Board member across the nuclear, aviation, heavy engineering, retail, hospitality and education sectors where he is recognised for his independent perspective and diligent ability to balance corporate governance and regulatory compliance with the difficulties of operating in complex business environments.

Simon is both a polymath and experienced consultant who is frequently called upon for his broad knowledge of leading and mentoring senior management and boards of directors in the transition of complex business strategies and organisational change, intuitively seeing the threads of opportunity that wind through an organisation. He brings them together into a coherent whole, helps others extend their thinking to provide better visibility of key resources and capabilities to deliver significant asset growth.

A respected international speaker within the nuclear sector, Simon holds a degree in linguistics and economics from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). Simon is a keen sportsman and advocate for modern dance and the arts.

Alison riddle

Partner at Osborne Clarke

Alison Riddle is a partner at Osborne Clarke, an international law firm where she advises clients in the Built Environment sector. Alison has over 20 years of legal experience and focusses on funds, investment management and corporate matters. Originally from Essex, she grew up near Chelmsford before pursuing her law degree at the University of Bristol. Alison is also actively involved in promoting diversity and mental health awareness within her firm, and takes the lead in graduate and apprentice recruitment. She currently resides in the Greenwich area with her partner and three children.

Linda Perks

Retired Regional Secretary
Chair of Pay & Personnel Committee

Linda has considerable experience in the field of governance, public service, and working with volunteers and outside agencies. Linda was councillor for Charlton ward in the Royal Borough of Greenwich Council from 2018 - 2022 as a back bencher and Deputy Whip, rising to Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources in her last year of office. She previously worked for Unison, the public service trade union, overseeing the running of the Greater London Region as Regional Secretary. Linda comes from a family of school support staff and has a background in advising and representing staff employed in public services, including schools. She started with Compass as a local authority governor at Willow Dene School in 2014 and was Chair of Governors for 6 years.  She also mentors young women on behalf of the Fabian Women’s Network on skills and career development, public service and governance. 

Leavers over the last 12 months

Alex Wasik-Hyde - Resigned 1 September 2024

Orla Ralston - Resigned 28 November 2024

Michael Green - Resigned 12 June 2025 

Rupinder Bansil - Resigned 4 July 2025