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 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 works in investment management, managing portfolios and advising clients.

Richard’s current role is Client Investment Director at CCLA, working predominantly with charities, endowments and public sector investors. He 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 Family of Schools, Richard is Chair of our Finance Committee.

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.

Richard attended Bancroft’s between 1972-1979. Having been admitted into the Drapers’ Company, he was appointed as a Governor in 2018.

He is married to Susan and they have two children and live in Woodford Green. He enjoys sport, music, art and messing around with old cars.

In his role as a Governor of Bancroft’s Family of Schools, Richard is Chair of our Estates Committee and is our Welfare, Health and Safety link Governor.

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 the Scout Committee and Sports Tour Committee. He was involved as a helper on many Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and 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 Family of Schools, Duncan is Chair of our Foundation Committee.

Tolani Ashaye has lived in Woodford for over 25 years, and all three of her children attended local schools including two at Bancroft's School.

She holds a degree in Financial Economics, a Master’s in Management of Information Technology, and has over 25 years experience in technology across multiple industries, including roles at global organisations such as Apple and Disney.

Tolani is passionate about promoting diversity in STEM and volunteers with organisations including STEM Ambassadors and Career Ready to support young people in education and employment pathways.

She previously served on the Governing Body of Woodford Green Preparatory School and brings this experience, alongside her professional background, to her role in supporting the school.

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

Debra Davidson-Smith has over 30 years of industry experience as an award-winning journalist, television producer, and media and PR consultant, notably serving as the Editor of ITV's flagship daytime programme 'This Morning'. Subsequently, she became an Executive Producer at ITV and successfully secured the company's first-ever completely ad-funded programme commission.

Following her highly successful media career, she now serves as a Magistrate at the East London Family Court and on the North East London bench for criminal matters and carries out work for the History of Parliament Trust Oral History Project.

An alumna of Woodford County High School, Debra has a BA in History from the University of Warwick and a postgraduate diploma in Journalism. Returning to university as a mature student, she completed an MA in History from Queen Mary University and has since had her historical research published in ‘History Today’.

Debra sings with Barts Choir, one of London’s largest professionally rehearsed choral societies. She lives in Buckhurst Hill with her husband Duncan and has two sons.

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

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 Family School of Schools, Nicky is a member of our Full Governing Board and is Safeguarding Governor for Bancroft’s School.

Until his retirement from full-time, Michael was Senior Partner of the Tooley and Foster Partnership, a 60 strong firm of architects and designers based in Buckhurst Hill and Central London. During his time in practice, he also taught part-time at a number of design schools, including The Royal College of Art.

Michael was Secretary of The Standing Conference of Heads of Schools of Architecture (SCHOSA) and President of The Architectural Association. He also edited the book ‘The Principles of Architecture: Style, Structure and Design’. He is currently a Trustee of the Charles S French Charitable Trust and was responsible for the design of recent new buildings projects at St Aubyn’s School where he was a pupil and a recent Governor and Chairman (2021-2024).

Michael graduated from The Architectural Association School of Architecture and he also has an MA in the The History and Theory of Architecture from the University of Essex.

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

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. Claire is a Magistrate and Presiding Justice on the East London bench.

Having taken a career break to bring up her children, Claire worked as Clerk to the Governors at Chigwell School and was a Governor at Woodford County High School for 17 years.

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

As a Governor of Bancroft’s Family of Schools, Claire is Chair of our Prep Committee.

Rajesh Kalia is a practising solicitor who ran his own firm for 25 years. He is now partner in a West-End firm, where he has a successful practice specialising in a wide-range of litigation and property matters.

He has been a resident of South Woodford since childhood and attended a small, independent primary school before moving on to Ilford County High School, and later studied law at Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London.

Rajesh lives in South Woodford with his wife and has a son and daughter. One is currently attending university, while the other attends Bancroft’s. Through St Aubyn’s and Bancroft’s, he has enjoyed an association of more than 25 years with the schools. He has served as a Governor at St Aubyn’s since 2018, most recently as Chair. In his spare time, Rajesh is a keen football enthusiast and a season ticket holder at West Ham.

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

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 Family of Schools, Keshthra is Chair of our Education Committee.

Justine Venditti is Senior Deputy Head at City of London School for Girls, where she plays a central role in strategic leadership and safeguarding. Additionally, she is an ISI Team Inspector.

Justine began her career in Materials Engineering before retraining as a Mathematics teacher. She rapidly progressed into leadership, bringing a strong analytical approach and a clear commitment to educational excellence. Her work spans curriculum innovation, staff development, and whole-school improvement, with a particular interest in creating ambitious, inclusive learning environments. She has extensive experience in policy development and regulatory compliance within the independent sector. Through her work, she combines strategic oversight with a strong focus on people – supporting staff, engaging with parents, and ensuring that every pupil is able to thrive.

Justine is married with two grown up children.

As a Governor of Bancroft’s Family of School’s, Justine is a member of our Full Governing Board and is Safeguarding Governor for St Aubyn’s School and Woodford Green Prep School.