Term from 30 March 2022 to 29 March 2026

Jo Southby is the Chair and SEND Governor for Chatham Grammar. She has worked in education for over thirty years, the last twenty in educational leadership, and is currently CEO of a Multi-Academy Trust in South East London. As an ex-Chatham Grammar student, Jo is delighted to now contribute to the on-going development and improvement of the Academy as a “critical friend”, promoting outstanding standards of provision for all children through robust challenge and scrutiny.

Jo is committed to aspirational goals for students with additional needs and removing barriers to achievement, hence her interest in being the SEND Governor, and has spent much of her career leading special and alternative provision schools where inclusion was a central focus.

Jo has significant experience of governance, having previously been a Chair of Governors and currently in her roles as a Trustee for the National Autistic Society Academy Trust and the Finance Governor for an all-through Kent special school. Jo has lived in the Medway area for almost twenty years and has a daughter at Chatham Grammar.

Term from 12 March 2022 to 11 March 2026

Oliver Martin has been a parent Trustee for UKAT since 2018 and is now a co-opted Trustee on the UKAT Trust Board. Oliver was recently voted in again as a Parent Governor at Chatham Grammar. During his time as a Trustee, he has been an active member of the Trust Board getting involved in discussing a wide range of topics including the vision of Chatham Grammar and the Trust, the curriculum, wellbeing and mental health, Sixth Form provision, development of the Senior Leadership Team and marketing of the UKAT academies.

Oliver is currently Regulation and Strategy Director at South East Water where he brings a range of skills to him in his role on the Governing Body at UKAT. This includes people management, strategic planning, governance, compliance and quality assurance. Oliver is a local resident and has two daughters who attend Chatham Grammar.

Term from 10 January 2022 to 9 January 2026

Clare Allison has been a UKAT Trustee since January 2022. She has been Head of Outreach & Widening Participation at the University of Kent since 2021 and has 15 years’ experience working with schools and colleges to support learners, from underrepresented groups and those who face disadvantages/structural barriers, to consider Higher Education progression.

Through her work at the University, she is a Board Member of the Kent and Medway Progression Federation and the Care Leaver Progression Partnership. As an active member of the UKAT Trust Board, along with her experience in the wider education sector, Clare brings her experience in strategic development, people management and problem solving.

Term from 25 April 2023 to 24 April 2027

Marta Almeida Hill is the Deputy Head of Outreach and Wider Participation: Impact and Evaluation at the University of Kent. Marta leads the evaluation of outreach activities at the University and has over 10 years' experience working with schools and colleges.

Marta has expertise in education, project management, data analysis and monitoring and evaluation. Prior to working in Outreach, Marta worked in insurance as a Data Analyst.

Marta is passionate about education and undertook her PhD in Philosophy of Law at the University of Kent.

Term from 30 March 2022 to 29 March 2026

I am the first generation of my family to go to University and therefore feel very strongly about the power that education and school life has to transform the lives of young people. I feel very lucky that my child attends Chatham Grammar, and I welcome this opportunity to contribute to the Academy's continued success as a Parent Governor.

I have been a professional in my field for over 30 years and have experience as a Parent Governor at my child’s previous junior school.

I am experienced in working in a regulated environment where compliance, governance, and integrity are key. In my personal life I am a communicative, thoughtful, and caring individual; my skills and experience will add significant value to the Local Governing Board and enable me to support the Academy and help children thrive.

Term from 18 August 2023 to 17 August 2027

Aneesa is an experienced senior finance lawyer who has worked for financial services institutions, both in-house and in private practice. She currently works at CIBC, one of the ‘Big Five’ Canadian banks. Aneesa advises capital markets business lines that offer regulated and unregulated financial products across Europe. She has a proven track record in leading strategic change through initiatives such as new product development, jurisdictional expansion, and institutional investment projects. Aneesa holds a number of leadership roles within CIBC.

Aneesa joined the Chatham Grammar Local Governing Board in July 2023 and, as an alumna of Chatham Grammar, she credits the academy for the foundation to her career and is privileged to now be part of its leadership.

Aneesa is an experienced senior finance lawyer who has worked for financial services institutions both in-house and in private practice. She currently works at CIBC, one of the ‘Big Five’ Canadian banks. Aneesa advises capital markets business lines that offer regulated and unregulated financial products across Europe and has a proven track record in leading strategic change through initiatives such as new product development, jurisdictional expansion and institutional investment projects. Aneesa holds a number of leadership roles within CIBC.

Aneesa joined the CG Local Governing Board in July 2023 and as an alumna of Chatham Grammar she credits the Academy for the foundation to her career and is privileged to now be part of its leadership.

Term from 6 January 2022 to 5 January 2026

Dakshesh Maheta is a Staff Governor at Chatham Grammar and has enjoyed working in the field of education for 35 years and is committed to making a difference in the lives of our students. As a Staff Governor he has commented that it will extend his knowledge and understanding of governing an educational institute. Dakshesh successfully enjoyed 17 years of teaching and leading in India. He has taught in UK schools for nearly the same amount of time. His previous experience of being a highly successful Headteacher in India and being a lifelong learner will assist him in fulfilling his duties as a Governor.

Dakshesh is also engaged with voluntary services as honorary secretary of Medway Hindu Parivar, a local non-profit charity working for Hindu families across the Medway towns. He has been a local resident for 17 years and is familiar with the local community needs and expectations from a successful selective school such as Chatham Grammar. Dakshesh is looking forward to contributing to uplift self-belief and confidence by providing appropriate opportunities to young and aspiring learners of CG.

First appointed on 12 September 2022

Wendy Walters has been the Principal at Chatham Grammar since 2017. Prior to this, Wendy had worked at the Trust’s sister School Brompton Academy in various leadership roles since 2007. Among those roles, Wendy has been the lead for Quality Assurance across the Trust, as well as being Acting Head of School while the new building was being planned and completed.

Wendy was also a trained Ofsted inspector for many years before joining Chatham Grammar. Prior to joining the Trust Wendy has held a number of senior and middle leadership roles in other schools across Kent and the South East.

As the first person in her immediate and wider family to attend Sixth Form and University, Wendy is passionate about the opportunities and role that education can play in shaping the lives of young people.

Term from 25 April 2023 to 24 April 2027

Victoria Webster joined the Local Governing Board as Safeguarding Link Governor for Chatham Grammar in 2023. She has held various Senior Leadership Roles in Kent and has experience in selective and non-selective schools. She has many years experience as an Ofsted Inspector, and has particular expertise in Safeguarding, Teacher Training and Quality Assurance. She is an experienced Governor and currently holds safeguarding roles on other local Trusts and Charities. As a previous employee of UKAT and a local resident, whose family have thrived in local schools, she hopes that her wide expertise in governance, education and inspection will be useful to the Board and academy.