Meet our Trustees – Biographies
Nick Burridge
I am a person who is now, and has always been, fascinated by technology and passionate about trying to ensure that it is used in the best possible way to help and improve all aspects of both business life and personal enjoyment. I have extensive experience in the implementation, roll out and maintenance of conventional IT systems as used in SME’s and have a unique ability to understand virtually all forms of technology and to work with customers in order to make best use of that technology. I have been responsible for designing and implementing pieces of technology as widely diverse as a contactless trap release mechanism for Harlow Greyhound Stadium to the innovative implementation of Cinema rooms for domestic applications with minimum visual (technical) profile as well as designing and maintaining conventional IT systems for small and medium size business. My basic philosophy is “Yes is the Answer, what was the Question”!
Emma Cannon
I have spent 20 years running recruitment businesses in the local area for both a global organisation and an independent. I am excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the education and career development of the pupils. With my professional experience, I am confident that I can make a positive impact on the school and its students.
I have gained valuable skills in leadership, communication, and problem-solving and understand the importance of teamwork and collaboration, as well as the belief that better never stops. I am committed to working with other Trustees and school administration with the goal of promoting a positive and productive learning environment and for the school to continuously improve.
In my free time I enjoy running as well as supporting my girls with their hobbies, I accompany my eldest on hacks with her horse and love watching my youngest play football for her team at Ware Youth FC, which my husband coaches.
Steve Cove
I graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in Sports Science and Mathematics in 2005 and have been working as a secondary school PE teacher in the local area for the past 18 years. In my current school I am also the Head of Sixth Form and have thus supported numerous cohorts of students thought their sixth form years and into their future lives. I am passionate about the value of education and the role that a school plays in its local community, and am thus very excited about the opportunity of being involved in the governing body of Presdales School.
I am a new governor at Presdales, joining as a parent governor in 2022. My daughter is currently in Year 8 and I have enjoyed learning more about the school and the excellent support and guidance she, and all of the girls, received both in and outside of the classroom.
I grew up in Cheshunt and have aways lived and worked in the local area, so have a strong understanding of the local context. I am a keen sports performer and play rugby and cricket for local clubs and I am also a coach of the Under 10s at Hertford Rugby Club. I enjoy skiing and regularly lead the school ski trip at my current school.
Nigel Denison
After graduating from St Catharine’s College Cambridge with a degree in Modern and Medieval Languages, Nigel spent thirty five years working in the City. He spent 15 years at Barclays De Zoete Wedd (BZW) specialising in money markets, foreign exchange and fixed income derivatives before moving to the German bank West Deutschland Landesbank where he was Head of European sales for the Global Financial Markets Division. In his last role he was a founder Director of Bank of London and the Middle East, the largest Islamic Bank in Europe, where he was responsible for Markets and Wealth Management.
Nigel is fluent in German and French, and combines an interest in languages with a love of travel. He is also an enthusiastic if incompetent golfer and is a season ticket holder at Saracens Rugby Club.
Helen Fellows
Helen has extensive skills and experience in HR and is currently responsible for managing organisational change programmes at Tesco. Helen is married and has two daughters, one at Morgan’s Primary school and one in Presdales.
Helen feels privileged in her role as a Parent Governor to be able to work collaboratively and constructively with the school and shares the school’s ethos in striving to provide the very highest standards of educational achievement and the best experience for all students at Presdales. Additionally, Helen is the Chair of a committee for a charity that provides wrap around care at her daughter’s primary school, a role which she has held for a number of years.
Howard Freed
I taught in London Secondary schools for 37 years, 22 of which as a Headteacher of two schools. I retired from Headship in 2013 and have continued to work in education as a coach/mentor to Headteachers and as a leadership development trainer. During my Headships I was a National Leader for Education, working with schools across England to support school improvement in general and leadership improvement in particular. I have also led the National Qualification for Headship (NPQH) and was involved from the outset in the school improvement work of London Challenge and London Leadership Strategy.
I am married to Karen, a retired Secondary School teacher who worked at Presdales for over 20 years. We have lived in Ware for over 30 years. We have three children (Elli, Maddy and Abbi) all of whom attended Presdales. Our children are now teachers, one in Primary and two in Secondary.
I have been a governor at Presdales since 2013. I was Chair of Governors 2018 – 2020 and have been Vice Chair since 2020. I am also a governor at a Secondary School in Harrow, London.
Jacqueline Harvey
I have 12 years’ experience as a school Governor in both in a Primary School and at Presdales. I’m in my second term of office as an elected Parent Governor at Presdales School. I have previously served on the Premises Committee; now I actively participate on the Achievement and Curriculum committee. I am the link Governor for School Council, Looked After Children, the designated Governor for Child Protection and I’m part of a team of Governors that mentor students.
I was both Chair and Vice-chair of Governors at a local Primary School. In addition to being the Designated Governor for Child Protection, I was a member of the Curriculum and Personnel committees with added responsibility for school admissions.
I’m a former nurse, on a extended career break raising my 3 daughters. I have been a mature student and I’m involved in Swimming both as a Technical Official and as the Disability Swimming Manager for the County.
Alison Hobson
After graduating with an economics degree I joined Tesco, initially working in finance qualifying as a management accountant before moving to marketing. I have been privileged to have delivered some game changing Clubcard initiatives to customers and more recently head up the Clubcard offers and direct mail team. I am fortunate to be able to work part time, which allows me to balance my professional and home life.
I have 2 daughters who we feel were very fortunate to attend such an excellent school that excels both academically and in extra curriculum activities. I am proud to be able to support the school in my role as governor. I am on the finance committee and the link governor for maths.
In my spare time I enjoy cooking, gardening, travel and supporting the girls in their various sports – hockey, cricket, athletics – both as a parent, coaching and in an organisation and fundraising capacity.
Michael Robinson
After reading Greats (Ancient History and Philosophy) at Oxford, I qualified as a Chartered Public Finance Accountant (CPFA) and went on to gain extensive local government finance experience at London Borough, District and County Council level. I took a leading role in the introduction of Local Management of Schools (LMS) in Hertfordshire, heading up the School Funding Unit and working closely with governors and head-teachers to assist them in gaining maximum benefit from their new responsibilities. I established the Financial Services for Schools team, which grew from 1 member of staff to 60, fully funded by trading with Hertfordshire schools. My work with Hertfordshire Business Services and other trading organisations culminated in becoming the first Chief Finance Officer of Hertfordshire Catering Limited, a successful and fully commercial company with a turnover in excess of £30m.
I am also Treasurer of Courtyard Arts and Community Centre in Hertford and have in recent years enthusiastically renewed an old interest in Russian language (and culture, history etc.).
Madeline Waller
Maddie spent over 25 years working for a global pharmaceutical company as a Meeting Account Manager leading project teams to deliver international congresses, doctor symposia, national conferences and advisory boards on time and within budget. Maddie began her career as a professionally trained personal assistant developing strong organisational and planning skills. She has two children. Her daughter attended Presdales through to sixth form and is now at University.
Maddie has also been a governor at Abel Smith primary school in Hertford for 12 years, serving as Chair during this time. As a very experienced governor, she understands the need to be supportive whilst providing challenge to ensure the best possible education for all young people. She believes that every child should have access to the highest quality teaching, combined with a clear commitment to wellbeing, so that our students leave school as confident learners ready to face the wider world.
