All Academy local board members know what their legal responsibilities are and how these fit in with the responsibilities of the Principal, the Multi-Academy Trust, the Local Authority, and the Department for Education. The Local Board are a crucial part of how academies operate. They play both a supportive role, but also one related to accountability and challenge. As supporters of the Academy, the City of London Corporation and City, University of London make up the majority of the Local Board. There is, however, also representation from the community, staff, parents and the local council. The local board member responsibilities are listed in the Corporation of London Academies Trust’s scheme of delegation.
The City of London Corporation offers the Academy support in terms of sponsorship, but equally important are the partnerships we have formed with the schools in the City’s ‘Family of Schools’, those within the Trust, and with the business world. Their sponsorship allows us to make links with business, draw on the expertise of mentors, and set up work experience opportunities for our students in the City. The links are not just to the financial world, but also through the livery companies to other professions such as law and accounting. Equally important is our link to City, University London offering another source of expertise and a range of partnership activities. City, University of London has invested a great deal of time and resources to giving our students access to high-calibre experiences to enhance their educational and career aspirations and making students aware of the opportunities they can enjoy if they progress to higher education.
For further information about how to become a Local Board member, please contact us. If you would like more general information about the role of a Local Board member, then please click on the link below.
Local Board Members
Chair of the Local Board
First Appointed : 01 September 2017
Term Start: 01 September 2021
Term End: 31 August 2025
City of London Corporation
Russell graduated from Wadham College, Oxford with a First in Chemistry in 1981. From there he has spent over 35 years in the reinsurance industry in the City of London as both a broker and an underwriter. He founded the London operations of a US reinsurance company and has also been a non-executive director of a Lloyds Managing Agency. He is keen to support COLAI’s staff in their aim of delivering the best educational outcomes for the pupils and to aid the financial management of the Academy as Deputy Chair of the Personnel, Finance and Premises Committee. Russell has lived in Islington for the past 12 years and is a keen cricketer with 2 children.
Trust – Personnel, Finance and Premises Link Local Board Member
First Appointed : 01 January 2022
Term Start: 01 January 2022
Term End: 31 December 2026
Educated at Northampton Grammar School, he then graduated in Law from Cambridge, Richard’s career path began in Human Resources in Ford and ICI before moving into Sales and General Manager roles in the apparel and retail sectors
Richard then moved to the footwear industry, buying into and running the premium ladies footwear brand, H & M Rayne for 4 years.
In 1994 he established a specialist management recruitment company, which operated in both the footwear and fashion market areas. After 14 years he sold the company and took up the position of Chief Executive of the British Footwear Association.
He is a Past Master Pattenmaker and chairs the Company’s Education and Training Committee, with a special interest in London schools and how a Livery should support them. In the last few years he has managed a re-write of the Company’s History book and also a booklet describing how the Company – and the Livery movement generally – survived and prospered during the pandemic.
His main leisure interests are travel, cycling, walking and reading.
Safeguarding Link Local Board Member
First Appointed : 01 September 2024
Term Start: 01 September 2024
Term End: 31 August 2026
Naureen has worked for over 35 years both as a GP and in medical education. She is currently a Senior Appraiser for NHS England as well as Trustee for The Medical College of Saint Bartholomew’s Hospital Trust. She was appointed chair of the London Catalyst charity in January 2025.
Naureen has spoken and written widely about the impact of deprivation on health and the need for the wider determinants of health to be addressed if we are to make a difference. Furthermore, her work in medical education has led to an interest in addressing disparities in medical training and the need to promote a more inclusive healthcare culture enriched by the depth and breadth of talent across the NHS.
Naureen has lived in Islington for over 30 years.
Vice Chair Local Board Member
First Appointed : 01 September 2023
Term Start: 01 September 2023
Term End: 31 August 2027
Peter was appointed to the Local Board by the City of London Corporation on his retirement after a 26-year career working for the organisation. During this time, he had a number of different roles including Assistant Town Clerk, Director of Major Projects and Culture Mile Director. He worked closely with many of the City Corporation’s Departments and several of the City’s family of schools.
Prior to joining the City of London Corporation, Peter was an officer in the Royal Navy which he joined immediately after graduating from Brasenose College, Oxford with a degree in Physics. During his service Peter specialised in engineering training from BTEC to MSc level. He served as an engineer on the nuclear submarine HMS Repulse and his final training role was as a Senior Lecturer in Reactor Physics at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich.
A member of the Institute of Physics, Peter retains a particular interest in science and maths and is the Link Local Board Member for STEM.
Sponsor Local Board Member
First Appointed : 01 September 2020
Term Start: 01 September 2020
Term End: 31 August 2028
City, University of London
Hafiza represents City University of London whilst acting as a Governor for the City of London Academy Islington, she is a lead governor for safeguarding and is also a member of the Personnel, Finance and Premises Committee.
At the University she works as Assistant Director Financial Performance where she provides leadership to optimise the financial performance and promotes a culture of financial awareness to ensure delivery of financial results. The finance team was shortlisted in the Times Higher as outstanding finance team of the year in 2016.
She is also a Global visiting lecturer in Accounting and Finance as she teaches on the MSc Maritime and Operations Management programme both in London and in Greece, a programme ranked 12th in the world and 1st in the UK in 2020.
When she is not working or teaching, her love of sports, knowing the benefits it provides physically and more importantly mentally inspired her to help set up Muslimah Sports Association (MSA), a multi award winning charity, which aims to empower women through sports. MSA provides opportunities for women through participation, volunteering and coaching. As trustee at MSA, she leads on Strategic development and risk management.
Co-opted Local Board Member
First Appointed : 01 September 2020
Term Start: 01 September 2020
Term End: 31 August 2028
The Worshipful Company of Saddlers
Peter is now retired, but upon leaving school, pursued a career in shipping for 50 years. For 45 of which he was a member of the Baltic Exchange as a shipbroker. Peter became a Freeman and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers in 1970 and worked his way up through the Company until he became Master in 2011/12. Throughout his time on the Court he has sat on various of the Company’s committees,particularly their Charities committee.
Staff Local Board Member
First Appointed : 01 September 2022
Term Start: 01 September 2022
Term End: 31 August 2026
Andrew has worked within education for 20 years. He has taught at Loxford School in Ilford, Langdon Park School in Tower Hamlets and, since 2011, The City of London Academy Islington. Andrew joined the Academy as the Curriculum Leader for English, a post he currently holds. During his time at the Academy, he has also been a part of the Senior Leadership Team as an Assistant Principal focused on Key Stage 4 achievement.
He is also the Contingent Commander for the City of London Academy Islington (HAC) Combined Cadet Force, a position he has held since 2017. He is a company member of the Honourable Artillery Company and a Captain within the Cadet Forces.
Community Local Board Member
First Appointed : 01 September 2018
Term Start: 01 September 2022
Term End: 31 August 2026