Welcome to Cardinal Newman Catholic School

I began my professional life as a storyboard artist in Soho, London for Harpers Group Ltd before joining my family’s property development business in the South. We own two Retirement Living developments, a storage facility and a memorial garden. ​ My governance journey began 2018 as a parent governor for St Mary Magdalen’s Primary School & Nursery where I am now a Foundation governor, Chair and Safeguarding Lead governor. In January 2023 I was thrilled to also join the wonderful board of governors at CNCS. Connection to CNCS: Since moving to Brighton in the latter part of the nineties, I have always felt connected to Newman through my own extended family and those I have met within the community. From there, three of our own children have enjoyed all that Newman has to offer and have thrived there, including at its ever growing and popular college setting. Key Skills: Safeguarding overviews, management, leadership and strategic planning. Personal Comment: As a mother of four children, my role as a school governor is deeply personal and rooted in my belief is the power of community. I have seen first hand how a strong, inclusive community can enhance students' academic, social, and emotional growth. My commitment as a governor is to ensure our school fosters a welcoming and collaborative atmosphere where every child feels valued and inspired to learn. I aim to advocate for initiatives that prioritise the well-being and success of all students, working alongside parents, teachers, and pupils to shape the future of our school.

I was Business Manager at Cardinal Newman Catholic School for 8 years and at Westdene Primary and Patcham Junior Schools for 11 years prior to that. My early career was in Corporate and International Banking with the Royal Bank of Scotland both locally in Brighton and in London and I worked in this environment for 18 years. Connection to CNCS: Through my previous employment with the school and my 3 children all attended. Key Skills: My finance experience in both the corporate world and 19 years experience as a School Business Manager in both primary and secondary settings.

I'm a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor. I worked with young people in schools and community settings for 10 years. I'm now CEO of a men's mental health charity called Mankind UK. Previously I worked for UNISON representing members working in social care, Ofsted and Family Court Advisors. Before that worked for NCVO (National Council of Voluntary Organisations) delivering capacity building support for charities. I have 3 children with additional needs and sit on the Parent Carer Council for Brighton and Hove and support improvement of SEND policy and provision in Sussex.

I am currently a teacher at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Portslade where I have worked for eight years. Prior to working in education, I spent nearly 20 years working across a variety of business sectors. This culminated in being Head of Media and Marketing for Camelot (operators of The National Lottery). I was responsible for numerous high profile marketing campaigns including the launch of EuroMillions and generating revenue to help fund the London 2012 Olympics. Connection to CNCS: I am a former pupil with two of my three children currently attending CNCS, as well as my niece and nephew. My uncle also taught here while I was a pupil. Our family has links with St Thomas More's Church and we attend St Mary's Church in Preston Park. Key Skills: Understanding the perspective of the child, curriculum development, data analysis, stakeholder management, marketing communications and strategic development. Personal Comment: It is a privilege to serve as a foundation governor. I am particularly aware of the importance of our children’s mental health and wellbeing, and of equipping them with the emotional tools to navigate life. My overriding passion is to ensure all children, regardless of background or ability, fulfil their potential. I look forward to upholding the Catholic ethos of our school, being guided by Caritas values in all that we do.

I have been a governor for over 6 years, and currently sit as a Chair of Governors in a primary feeder school in addition to CNCS. I sit on the Local Authority’s Schools Forum. I am experienced in budget management, performance management, buildings management and health and safety including risk assessing. Connection to CNCS: I have a personal connection to CNCS as son, niece and nephew are currently pupils here and in fact, I was a pupil here myself, many moons ago! Key Skills: I have worked in the NHS for over 20 years. Key aspects to my role are the line management and development of administrative, front of house and facilities staff. This covers a variety of HR functions including recruitment, training and induction , performance and objective setting and appraisal, absence management.

Finance, Estates and Bureaucracy Connection to CNCS: Parent

As the Health & Safety link Governor at Brunswick Primary School, I actively contribute to the Resources and Pay committees. With 25 years of experience in Risk and Operations Management, financial services, and sustainable business consulting globally, coupled with my Masters in Sustainable Development from Sussex University, I bring a unique global perspective to educational governance. My commitment to positive change is ingrained in my heritage. I am actively involved as a volunteer mentor in Brighton University’s Identity Match Mentoring program, championing empowerment for young minds from varied backgrounds. Connection to CNCS: Parent

Professor Samer Bagaeen is a Technical Director in Town Planning & Stakeholder Capability at Arcadis and previously worked as an Associate Director with the Rockefeller Foundation resilient cities network supporting a number of cities on their resilience journey. Samer is Professor and Head of Town Planning at the University of the Built Environment, and Visiting Professor in Urban Resilience at Imperial College London. He was invited into RICS Fellowship in 2012 and was granted Fellowship of the Institution of Civil Engineers in 2025. Samer is a Trustee of the Royal Town Planning Institute and on his second term as a Design Council Expert, supporting the Council’s Design for Planet Mission. He is a recognised expert in creating sustainable and resilient communities. He has chaired the RTPI’s International Committee since 2023. Samer will serve as Vice President of the Royal Town Planning Institute in 2026 and President in 2027. Some of Samer’s published outputs include Sustainable Regeneration of Former Military Sites (Routledge, 2016) and Beyond Gated Communities (Foreword by Saskia Sassen) (Routledge 2015). Connection to CNCS: My two children attended CNCS and my son currently attends the College. Key Skills: Professional planning and surveying skills, relationship management, community engagement, city diplomacy, local government.