Meet the Governors

Governor Biographies

St Martin’s School and Nursery is held accountable and supported by our governing body. Each member of this governing body has a specific area of responsibility and together we are working to ensure St Martin’s School and Nursery continue to improve and develop so that we can provide the best possible education for our students.

Chair of Governors – Finance and Audit Governor – Toby Wilson

Toby is a partner and Operations Director at Adgenda Media International; an independent media strategy agency. He is responsible for the smooth running of the business, client relationships on key projects and ensuring that ami delivers a best in class media operation. Toby is a commercial and results driven strategic marketeer with 20 years’ experience of the marketing process from conceptualisation to execution and has a proven track record in successfully developing and launching new propositions. He lives in Mill Hill with his wife and two children who attend St Martin’s School.

Our chair of governors can be reached at toby.wilson@stmartinsmillhill.co.uk 

Legal and Compliance Governor – Sacha Wilson

Sacha is a commercial and regulatory lawyer with particular expertise in advertising, tech/digital and data privacy. He is a partner at Harbottle & Lewis LLP, one of the UK’s leading media & entertainment law firm. Sacha’s client’s include some of world’s best known brands, agencies, platforms and media companies. Sacha lives in Wimbledon with his wife and son.

Health and Safety Governor and Safeguarding Governor (Parent Governor) – Farhana Harun

Farhana has approaching 20 years experience within the NHS and private healthcare and is currently working as a Hospitals Inspector for the Care Quality Commission. An active member of the FOSM committee, Farhana regularly attends meetings and assists with fundraising events. Farhana’s son currently attends St Martin’s School and she is committed to ensuring the best education for every child at St Martins. Farhana is a regular visitor to school, reading with our pupils and supporting some of our Form 6 pupils in running a lunchtime Japanese Club. As the parent governor Farhana is available to listen impartially to concerns/feelings on vital matters raised by parents/carers and present a balanced view of issues, therefore maintaining an approachable and reliable stance.

Admissions and Marketing Governor (Staff Governor) – Justine Shannon

Justine is our staff governor, she has worked at St Martin’s School since 2017, excelling in various roles to become our operations manager. She has a BSc in Sociology and Psychology, a Teaching Assistance CACHE Level 2 qualification and holds the IOSH Health and Safety Certificate in Schools. Previously she has worked in sales and marketing for a number of publishing companies specialising in technology and was the Strategy Director for AOL. In 2002 she left to start her family and, once the boys were of school age, requalified to be a Learning Support assistant specialising with children with autistic spectrum disorder. She lives in High Barnet with her husband, 3 teenage boys and dog.

Personal Development Governor (Proprietor) – Joanna Wilson

After University, Joanna spent many years working for a Private Investment Bank.   In 2007, she retrained and joined St Martin’s School and began her career as a teacher.  In 2016, Joanna became a Director of Harwil Education Ltd and in 2017 became the School’s Proprietor.  Joanna is passionate about providing children with a well-rounded education in a positive and nurturing environment. She is devoted to her pupils and colleagues wellbeing, believing every person’s voice must be heard, respected and valued. Joanna enjoys travelling, going to the theatre and reading. Joanna’s two children went to St Martin’s School from Nursery thorough to Form 6 and have now moved on to secondary school – UCS and Aldenham School.

Leadership and Learning Governor (Headteacher) – Sam Mbah

Sam is the current Headteacher at St Martin’s School and Nursery, she joined us in April 2019 and was the Headteacher at the time of our most recent OFSTED inspection. Sam has been teaching for 17 years and worked in outdoor education prior to qualifying as a Primary teacher. Her 2:1 BA Education (Hons) degree specialised in PE and this continues to be a passion for her. Sam was the English Leader for 3 years at the world renowned Garden International School in Malaysia and has worked as Safeguarding Lead in her previous Assistant Headteacher role. She and her family live in Waltham Abbey, where they enjoy long walks in the local forests and country parks and her son attends St Martin’s.