Trust Board

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Safeguarding, Learning and Inclusion

Quality Assurance and Improvement Lead

I have 26 years of Headship, working in Special Schools, PRUs, AC and Mainstream Education. Up until 18 months ago I lead the most successful SEMH Special School in Kent (Goldwyn School). Kent is one of the largest authorities in the UK and has 24 Special Schools. I pioneered local inclusion work with local schools, 60 Primary and 8 Secondary, that achieved zero permanent exclusions for over 12 years. My school was twice rated “outstanding” by Ofsted. Since taking retirement in January 2018 I have continued to work as a NLE independent education consultant and chair three charities: SEBDA, Redhill Trust, KITE and Roots.

My background is predominantly in education although in that capacity I have valued the network and relationships shared with colleagues in the health service, social services, psychology services, therapy services, and residential settings. I have extensive experience in working with Pupil Referral Units, Outreach Services and more recently Special Schools. In 2017 I was appointed a National Leader in Education (NLE) for the work carried out within my SEMH Special School, 19 years as Headteacher, and working with other Special Schools in Kent to develop our Teaching School status.

I am honoured and excited to be part of supporting Roots as it evolves. As the National picture changes I am glad to be part something that is really addressing this need.

Chair of Trustees and Treasurer/Finance

email: trustboard@roots4learning.org

I am a Chartered Financial Planner and a Fellow of the CII, based in Central London.  I provide wealth management advice to clients both within the City and the south east of England.

Prior to joining the financial services industry, I spent several years working for HMRC. As a consequence I have built a strong foundation in tax and financial planning using tax advantaged products, whether these be personal or corporate.

My role in helping Roots is supporting an education provision to become financially stable and assessing all business functions. I am the Chair of the Trust Board and endeavour to ensure that Roots has a productive and successful future in the Education Industry. 

Premises, Finance and Environment 

My business career started in 1999 when I founded an estate agency and Financial Advising businesses. My twenty-three years as an entrepreneur has taught me many skills and life qualities. When you start a business with little funding, you learn to do everything from marketing to accounts to cleaning the offices. I have in-depth knowledge of property and finance and a passion for commercial property, mainly as it is complex and exciting.

I am thrilled and humbled to be a Trustee at Roots 4 Learning. I feel I can add value and am keen to see how Roots can evolve and serve the local community. It feels the same as when I started in 1999, but it is an industry that can help shape young people's lives.

I am married to Gemma and have three children aged 11, 12 & 14. I firmly believe that every child should have equal opportunity to have a well-rounded education and to progress in life.

Community Engagement and Fundraising Lead

Kavitha is a partner in a local law firm who specialises in property law. She has been a solicitor for over 25 years, and lives locally too. Kavitha is active in the local community. She has two children aged 19 and 22 years old and is married to Ivan. She is passionate about empowering children through education and seeing that they are correctly supported so they can thrive and achieve the best they can during these formative years. 

I consider it a huge honour to be asked to be a trustee at Roots and hope to bring more awareness about this amazing provision and the service it provides to support children and their families. I believe that a “happy child” will thrive anywhere, and to support Roots I will be starting a number of fundraising initiatives.