Governors

Kate Blom

Chair of Governors​

Committees: Quality of Operations, St John Fisher Governors' Fund Trustees (Chair), Foundation Governor

Background: Having studied Maths and Computing I have 25+ years experience working in IT. I currently work as a Product Manager in Financial Services.​ I've been a member of the St John Fisher parish for the past 16 years.

Personal Statement: I have two children studying at the Ursuline and Richard Challoner having received a great education and start to life here at St John Fisher. Having benefited myself from a Catholic state education in N Ireland, I feel privileged to chair a committed governing body who work alongside Ms Kenna and her senior leadership team to ensure that each pupil continues to receive a high quality education regardless of their background.

Father Francis Nonyelu

Alain van West

Committees: Quality of Education, Vice Chair of Governors

Background: I have worked at senior executive level in Travel Management and Travel Technology for companies such as SAP and American Express. Lately, I have completely refocused my efforts in working on professionalising women’s rugby. I have also been on the Sacred Heart Church Finance Committee for over 5 years, as well as been on several boards. I have run 3 marathons on behalf of Jesuit Missions, including a sub 4 hour performance on the last one!

Personal Statement: I have lived in Merton for over 40 years. Whilst my 2 older children went to Sacred Heart Primary School in Raynes Park, my youngest son spent all his primary education at St John Fisher from reception to Year 6. I volunteered to become a Foundation Governor as I am extremely lucky to have had the professional and educational experiences I have had, and I would like to give back and positively contribute to the development of the generation of the future.

Richard Fisher

Committees: Parent Governor, SEW committee

Background: I qualified formally as a primary school teacher in 2012, entering education as a learning support assistant. I have taught in north-west, west and south-west London for over 10 years, leading on English and Maths in two separate schools. Before teaching, I worked in theatre, as a fundraiser and in an education / outreach capacity. Currently I work for London Metropolitan University as their senior outreach officer, focusing on widening participation and access.

Personal Statement: I am delighted to serve as Governor at St John Fisher Primary School. Since moving into the local area from Streatham in 2019 and being parishioners, friends have always spoken incredibly positively about the school and community. Therefore to represent the school and have one of my daughters attend is fantastic and a privilege. I have always been passionate about what schools and education can offer children and young people, particularly outside of the traditional classroom: in terms of real-life experiences and learning, skills and personal development. I believe my knowledge of education from primary through to post-16 opportunities can add value to the existing team and whole school community.

Frank Huidobro

Committees: Quality of Operations (Chair), Pay (Chair), Foundation Governor

Background: I am a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution if Civil Engineers. Over the past 30 years I have been involved in projects and businesses in the Aviation, Health, Prison, Education, Commercial and Security & Defence sectors in the UK and overseas.

Personal Statement: I have two children who both started their education at St John Fisher and have gone on to University and are now starting their own careers. I began my involvement in the Governing Body as a Parent Governor and am now a Foundation Governor. Over that time I have seen the school grow and develop into what it is today, providing a safe and happy Catholic educational environment. I have a particular interest in how the school facilities have had to evolve over time to support the education of the pupils and how we continue that support into the future and provide them with the best possible Primary Education experience.

Daren King

Committees: Quality of Education, Co-opted Governor

Background: I currently work as a Business Architect for an IT company providing technology solutions into government organisations, having previously being involved as a Business Relationship manager.

Personal Statement: I have one son who has just started studying for his GCSEs at Richard Challoner Catholic Boys school after spending his primary years at St John Fisher. I have been a governor at John Fisher for 4 years and endeavour to provide insight, communication and guidance to St John Fisher school, not only from my career, but also from the activities and insight outside of work.​

Louisa Asgill

Committees: Parent Governor, SEW Committee

Background: I qualified as a lawyer in Australia in 2005, and since then have enjoyed living and working in Sydney, Melbourne, and (now) London. I have spent the last eight years of my career specialising in legal risk, regulatory compliance and professional ethics, and currently work as a senior lawyer at the London office of a global law firm. I also have a keen interest in charity law and governance, and I am a trustee of a local charity supporting families with young children

Personal Statement: My family and I became parishioners of St John Fisher Church in 2018, and both of my children have been very happy pupils of the school since joining in Reception. Having experienced first-hand the warmth of the St John Fisher school community and the dedication of the teachers, staff and school leaders, I am delighted to have the opportunity to serve as a governor. I look forward to using my skills and experience to support the school in providing the best education for its pupils in accordance with its “love, learn, achieve” values.

Ms J Kenna

Debbie McCann

Committees: Quality of Education Committee (Chair), Pay Committee, Parent Governor

Background: I am currently Head of Careers Policy at the Department for Education. I have worked in policy development on schools and further education at the Department for Education for over 20 years.

Personal Statement: I have two children at St John Fisher school, who both joined from the school nursery. I feel incredibly privileged that my children are part of the John Fisher community and that they are enjoying every moment of it. Since becoming a parent governor in 2019 I have seen the dedication of staff and school leadership in helping all children be the best they can be. I will continue to draw on my 20 year career in education policy to inject insight and challenge to support the school to continue to deliver excellent schooling for every pupil, promoting academic, moral and spiritual development. ​

Miriam Davies

Philip Gilbertson

Committees: Quality of Operations Committee, Pay Committee, Trustee of the St. John Fisher School Governors’ Fund, Foundation Governor

Background: I am a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years experience in a ‘Big 4’ accounting firm, principally working with companies in the financial sector in the UK and overseas. In recent years I have moved into the firm’s Office of General Counsel dealing with enquiries and investigations from the firm’s regulator.

Personal Statement: I have always taken an interest in education, given its vital importance to our children and our future. I joined St. John Fisher parish in 2010 and when the opportunity subsequently arose I was delighted to join the School’s Governing Body to use my financial and management experience for the good of the wider community. Given my background I have a keen interest in financial management and how we best deploy our limited resources for the benefit of the school and its pupils. I was delighted to work with other Governors to form the St. John Fisher School Governors Fund, which enables tax efficient giving for parents. This fund allows us to provide, through the generosity of parents, additional resources over and above those we can afford through our local authority funding to offer the best experience and best educational outcomes for the children.

Adrian Benedict

Committees: Quality of Operations, Foundation Governor

Background: Having trained as a Civil Engineer, I moved into a career in finance becoming a Chartered Accountant. Presently, I work in the fund management industry which affords me the opportunity to travel the globe working with a diverse mix of people supporting them investing in a range of opportunities. Outside of work, I volunteer as a mentor for young people exploring a career in finance, Chair an industry body as well as raising three young children.

Personal Statement: My ties to St John Fisher Parish and School are both long and deep. I was baptised, received Holy Communion and Confirmed at St John Fisher Church but got married at Sacred Heart Church! I also attended our school for a number of years before moving on and ending up at Wimbledon College. Education has been integral to everything I have achieved so far in life and that is why I became a Foundation Governor.​

Mrs K Newman