Governance

Alex was elected in 2023 to serve as our Chair of Governors for The John Roan School. He has over 15 years of experience within the IT sector with expertise in Corporate Strategy, Finance and Business Operations roles. He currently serves as the EMEA Channel Sales Leader with a specific focus on the cyber security sector.

Alex has previous experience within the education sector serving as a Chair for a Junior School in Berkshire which he held for six years. Alex's academic journey involves an undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Reading, a Masters in Finance from the University of London and an MBA from Imperial College. Alex resides locally in the area with his wife and two children.

Keith attended Roan and lives in Greenhithe with his wife, Daryle, also an Old Roan. Leaving school to work first as a journalist, Keith spend the bulk of his professional life heading corporate communications for various organisations, including London Docklands and Essex County Council, but predominantly in the charity sector, especially at the NSPCC where he was Director of Communications. The welfare of children and young people has been a major element in his working career and with two sons and three grandchildren in his personal life too. Keith is currently the Editor of the Old Roan Magazine and has published a novel based on the lives of children in Greenwich.

Conor’s expertise lies in finance, specifically on partnering with complex organisations to best manage their cash flows, while also minimising the risks associated with these. Previous roles have also included a significant focus on Diversity & Inclusion which is an area he is very passionate about.

Originally from a rural area in Northern Ireland, Conor has long recognised the importance of strong community engagement and is now a proud local resident of Greenwich.

Conor holds a degree in International Business with French from Queen’s University, Belfast, and the Diploma in Treasury Management from the Association of Corporate Treasurers.

With four children, either in or approaching The John Roan, I am a long term supporter of the school and I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to help the school more directly. As a product of a state comprehensive and Cambridge University, I share the school’s ambition to have high expectations and aspirations for all children. I have over twenty years’ professional experience in finance, driving change in large organisations. I believe my experience applying critical but supportive challenge, identifying what works well and having difficult conversations to identify better outcomes, would be valuable to the school.

Stephen is a qualified teacher and has worked in primary schools for over 25 years. Currently, he is an Executive Headteacher of 3 maintained primary schools in Greenwich. As a local headteacher, he is passionate about securing excellent learning outcomes for children. He works with colleagues in different educational phases supporting partnership work, curriculum development and the training of leaders. He is a Director of the Greenwich School Association which offers professional development for school staff at different stages of their careers. As a teacher, Stephen is interested in the design of the curriculum and how this can support inclusive practices. He is a fellow of the Chartered College of Teachers.

Rukayat’s professional experience is in technical project advisory, specifically delivering strategic transformation on complex engineering and technology projects. As a STEM ambassador, she mentors young people to overcome barriers to participation and success within the field. 

She recognises the importance of a diverse and inclusive governing body to achieve balanced decision making that serves the school community. She shares The John Roan School’s vision in helping students of all backgrounds reach their full potential. Being neurodivergent herself, she is particularly passionate about the school’s commitment to SEND pupils. 

Rukayat holds an undergraduate degree in Physics from University of Leeds and a postgraduate degree in Engineering from University College London. 

After living overseas for twelve years I am honoured to now be a Greenwich resident. I co-lead a small Greenwich Community Club where members can exchange recommendations, promote local events and know that support is available for everybody if needed.

From a professional standpoint, I have over twenty years of Financial Services experience across Asia, the Netherlands, United States and the UK, specifically within Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing. Providing strategic advice to large banks and ensuring they have the right governance and processes in place to protect themselves from potential fraud is key and I am extremely honoured to be able to share my expertise to help shape the ambitions of The John Roan school.

Throughout Bella’s 30-year career history, she has enjoyed a varied career path including the position of Managing Director of Monster.co.uk, a recruitment internet site, and the start-up and Management of Zoom, five children’s nursery schools enjoying four ‘Outstanding’ and one ‘Good’ Ofsted judgements. More recently, she has moved into commercial property development and management. A lifelong resident of Greenwich, she attended Roan as did all her three children. Bella is passionate about the importance of providing the best life-chances for all young people. Providing an inspirational, safe, inclusive, quality driven education platform is crucial to achieving just that.

Leceia Gordon-Mackenzie was appointed parent Governor in December. She comes with a wealth of experience spanning broadcast television, charity and the public sector. She is currently Head of Communications at a north London NHS Trust leading a team delivering communications for a capital projects and transformation programme.

Previously implementing communication and stakeholder management for the most ambitious modernisation programme in South London. It involved  new hospital buildings, securing planning permission for two residential developments in Southwark and Lambeth.