Governors

Luke is an Old Bancroftian, having been the recipient of a Drapers’ Scholarship, attending the School as one of the last generation of boarders in the 1970’s. He obtained a BEng at Imperial College before taking up a career in the City working in finance across banking, insurance and asset management.  He continues to work as a Non-Executive Director, chairing two listed companies in the financial services sector.

Recognising the importance that his Drapers’ funded education at Bancroft’s had played in his life, Luke joined the Drapers’ Company in 2013 in order to have the opportunity to “give something back”.  Luke serves on the Investment Committee, as a Court Assistant and, for 8 years, was one of the Drapers’ Council Members and Treasurer at Queen Mary University London.

Luke is married to Diana and they have two grown up children.  He splits his time between London and Bosham (on Chichester Harbour) where he enjoys his keen interest in sailing.

Richard is a Chartered Building Surveyor and has run his own practice since 1988, with offices locally and in Central London. He was granted the Freedom of the City of London in 1985 after being involved in some significant projects whilst working for the Corporation of London and continues to be very much involved in the City.

Having been admitted into the Drapers’ Company, he was appointed as a Governor to the School in 2018 and is a member of the Estates Committee.

Richard attended Bancroft’s between 1972-1979. He is married to Susan and they have two children. They live in Woodford Green. He enjoys sport, music, art and messing around with old cars.

In his role as a Governor of Bancroft’s School, Richard is Chair of our Estates and Prep Committees and is our Welfare, Health and Safety link Governor.

Richard was educated at Tonbridge School, the University of Greenwich and City University (now Bayes Business School).

He also attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1994 after which he served as an officer in the 9th/12th Royal Lancers. Transitioning from an army career Richard completed an MBA and has subsequently worked in investment management, managing portfolios and advising clients. His current role is with CCLA working predominantly with charities, endowments and public sector investors.

Richard is a trustee of the Forces Employment Charity (originally The Officers’ Association) and previously sat on the investment committee of the Drapers’ Company which he has been a member of since 1991. He is married with two daughters and in his spare time enjoys playing golf, sailing and skiing as well as competing in the occasional triathlon.

In his role as a Governor of Bancroft’s School, Richard is Chair of our Finance Committee.

Nicky is Deputy Head Pastoral and Designated Safeguarding Lead at North London Collegiate School. Prior to this, she was a Housemistress at Haileybury. She studied Theology and Philosophy at Durham University and is a dedicated teacher of PSHE and Religious Studies.

Her pastoral interests include character education and bereavement, alongside a broad commitment to safeguarding. Nicky believes that safe and secure students are happy students, and that happy students will thrive. She also feels strongly that education should not only ensure academic success but help young people become well-rounded individuals who are fully prepared to engage with, and contribute to, the world around them.

Nicky is married with two young children.

As a Governor of Bancroft’s School, Nicky is a member of our Full Governing Board.

Duncan is the father of four Old Bancroftians and has a daughter-in-law who is an OB.

As a parent, he had over two decades’ engagement with the School. He sat on a Scout committee and sports tour committee. He was involved as a helper on many Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. He also stood on the touchline at West Grove for many years.

Duncan moved to the area when training as a chartered accountant with PwC having read law at Manchester. He has worked in financial services in the City for most of his career. He was, until recently, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment. He has sat on the board of public and private companies.

He has lived in Loughton with his wife Gail for 35 years.

In his role as a Governor of Bancroft’s School, Duncan is a member of our Estates, Audit and Finance Committees.

Claire is a qualified solicitor with experience of corporate and commercial transactions in large City of London law firms and, after ceasing to practise, was involved in the training and development of professional services staff. Having taken a career break to be with her children, she most recently worked as Clerk to the Governors at Chigwell School. Claire was a governor at Woodford County High School for 17 years. She sits as a magistrate and presiding justice on the East London bench.

Claire lives in Woodford and both her children attended Bancroft’s from the Alphas in the Prep through to the Sixth Form.

As a Governor of Bancroft’s School, Claire is a member of the Finance,  Audit and Estates Committees.

Keshthra is a consultant Radiologist with a special interest in Breast Screening. Having grown up and gone to school in Leeds, West Yorkshire, she studied Dentistry and Medicine at King’s College, University of London. She is now the Clinical Director of Radiology across all site at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. She is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer at King’s College, London (University of London).

Keshthra sits on the National Clinical Advisory Group for National Breast Screening and is the chair of the National Radiology Clinical Professional Group for NHS England.  These inform and advise the Department of Health and NHSE on guidance and policy.

She is married with two sons who attended Bancroft’s school until 2020.

In her role as a Governor of Bancroft’s School, Keshthra is Chair of both our Education Committee and our Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Steering Group.