Our Trustees

Andrew has lived in Guildford for over 25 years, where his children attended local schools. Prior to becoming a trustee of Learning Partners he spent a number of years as a governor of Guildford College Group. He also spent a number of years coaching juniors at the local rowing club.

After university, Andrew trained as an accountant with a global pharmaceutical company and subsequently worked as a Director of an international consultancy firm advising banks, investment banks and other financial services companies on how to improve their operational performance.

Marcia retired from the headship of Charters School, a large, mixed comprehensive school rated "outstanding" by Ofsted in August 2009, having spent 16 successful years as the headteacher of 2 different schools, each one offering challenge and enjoyment. As a headteacher Marcia was committed to Education-Business partnerships and was the headteacher representative on the board, overseeing all aspects of partnership working, including work experience. Marcia was a member of the Government Implementation Review Unit (IRU), representing headteachers, from 2003-09. This group worked closely with government advising on all aspects of policy implementation. She was also a member of the Board of the School Food Trust from 2007 to 2011 which managed the transformation of school food to ensure more healthy options were available.

Marcia was honoured to be created a Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) in the New Years Honours List of 2010.

Since retiring from headship Marcia has been working with schools in the south of England as an Educational Consultant in all areas of School Improvement. This has involved chairing Governing bodies, chairing IEBs, mentoring and coaching school leaders and running training sessions for school staff and governors. She was the Regional Director for CfBT until the summer of 2017, overseeing their secondary schools in the Thames Valley Area. She was also a trustee of The Prince Philip Trust in Windsor and Maidenhead from 2011 to 2021, a charitable trust which gives financial support to organisations and individuals in the area. 

Marcia remains passionately committed to education and to supporting schools to do the very best they can to support the students in their care. 

Dr Jon Cox has been Headmaster of the Royal Grammar School (RGS) since 2007.  Prior to his appointment he held various leadership roles including Second Master, Head of Sixth Form and Assistant Housemaster at Whitgift School.  He was educated at the University of Southampton (PhD Biochemistry, BSc Physiology & Pharmacology) and the Royal College of Music (Certificate of Advanced Performance). 

During Dr Cox’s leadership of the RGS, he has developed and strengthened partnerships with Learning Partners, working closely with George Abbot School and Kings College, Guildford.

Renata is a qualified geography teacher with 26 years of experience working in London schools.

Since 2019, Renata has worked at Saint Cecilia’s Church of England school, where she is Headteacher. Committed to the Self-Improving School System, Renata previously led the Canons Park Teaching School Alliance.

Renata is a member of the Department for Education Secondary Headteachers’ Reference Group and a trustee for the National Association of Able Children in Education (NACE), where she leads the Education Committee.

Jennifer’s professional background is in teaching, education management and school leadership. A qualified teacher, she worked in schools and colleges for 15 years, before joining the examination board AQA, where she is a Head of Curriculum and manages a portfolio of qualifications. 

Jennifer was Chair of the Governing Body at Guildford County School prior to joining Learning Partners Trust.

Andi has lived in the Stoughton area of Guildford for over 20 years. He is married with three boys of secondary-school age.

Andi has worked for British Airways for over 20 years. He currently works in the airline’s Business Transformation team as a Process Effectiveness Manager, managing a team which helps all areas of the airline improve the way they do things whilst being sensitive to the impact these changes have on both colleagues and customers.

Andi previously served as a governor at Stoughton Infant and Nursery School and was Chair of Governors from 2010 to 2018. He was a member of the Children and Learning Committee, Finance and Resources Committee, Strategy Committee and the Headteacher's Performance Management Committee.

Paul Smith is Professor of Composite Materials and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Surrey.  He is an engineer by background and has been working on the mechanical properties of materials for over 30 years.

Paul also has a strong interest in education.  He holds a PGCE, with mathematics as his primary subject.  He also served on the governing bodies of two schools in Guildford (Merrow Infants and Bushy Hill Junior) including a term as chair.

Linda has lived in Guildford for 30 years, she is a Chartered Accountant and holds a PhD in Biochemistry.

Linda spent her executive career in private equity in the city and went “plural” in 2001, now acting as a non executive director or chair of both public & private companies both in the UK and internationally.

Linda was Chair of Governors for Schools, a charity which acted as a headhunter and advocate for governors and trustees for schools & academies. Linda is currently also a member of the trust.

• Kathy Ashford, former Trustee (left December 2024)

Copies of minutes from board and committee meetings can be viewed upon request. Please contact our governance lead Dominique Morris for further information on dmorris@learningpartners.org