Information on Trustees of the City of London Academies Trust can be found here.
Local Board members
Alistair’s son is a pupil at COLPAI – he loves the school, the community and the diverse group of people that form it.
Alistair was the first generation of his family to attend university. He studied Modern History at Oxford, before qualifying to become a criminal barrister at 6KBW College Hill Chambers. He both prosecutes and defends, and is Treasury Counsel, at the Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey). He has been a barrister for 15 years, specialising in murder, terrorism and financial crime. He loves dropping into COLPAI, with his dog Brian, to meet and support the students and staff and see first-hand what is going on at the school. He wants to help foster a positive, inclusive and collaborative community to ensure a bright successful future for our children.
Register of Interests: Alistair Richardson
| Position within Organisation | Governor |
| Employment | N/A |
| Business | N/A |
| Company Directorships | N/A |
| Trusteeships | N/A |
| Memberships of Organisations, Public Bodies, etc. | N/A |
| Non-pecuniary interests | Parent of COLPAI pupil |
| Family Interests | N/A |
Gina became a volunteer assistant in Reception at COLPAI in March 2024. For most of her working life she has been an editor and communications adviser in business and the public sector and now works freelance. Her qualifications include a diploma in career guidance and she spent six years providing careers advice to students at London University and the LSE, when her children were teenagers. An Islington resident for 35 years, Gina is a fervent supporter of widening educational opportunities for children in the borough.
Register of Interests: Gina Campbell
| Position within Organisation | Governor |
| Employment | N/A |
| Business | N/A |
| Company Directorships | N/A |
| Trusteeships | N/A |
| Memberships of Organisations, Public Bodies, etc. | N/A |
| Non-pecuniary interests | N/A |
| Family Interests | N/A |
Kim Clapham is the Headteacher of the City of London Primary Academy Islington and has been in post since January 2017. She has 29 years of experience in education as an outstanding teacher, Deputy Headteacher and Senior Teaching and Learning Consultant for Islington’s School Improvement Service.
With extensive knowledge of teaching and learning in an inner London context of socio-economic disadvantage, Kim has an exemplary track record of raising attainment and optimising the progress of all children at both school and borough-wide level.
A significant strength of her consultancy work has been the undertaking of school placements as an interim Deputy Headteacher. Most recently, she worked closely with the new Headteacher of a school in challenging circumstances to turn it around bringing it rapidly out of Special Measures.
Through the LA ‘s work in support of schools, Headteachers have commissioned Kim’s support as an interim deputy to support the school in preparing for inspection. As part of the school team, Kim has made a significant contribution to securing positive and improved Ofsted outcomes. As testimony to her strong leadership and management skills, she has enabled schools to secure their highest results to date, out-performing national standards.
Kim brings excellent coaching and mentoring skills to her role, having worked extensively with teachers to facilitate and champion outstanding practice.
Phonics and early reading is a specialism. Writing and training credits (on behalf of Cambridge Education) include:
- Technical aspects of a successful phonics CPD bid
- DFE accreditation to deliver high quality phonics CPD nationally
- Training the trainers to deliver the CPD programme
Wider in-school support and training include international consultancy for schools in the Far East.
Register of Interests: Kim Clapham
| Position within Organisation | Head Teacher |
| Employment | City of London Academies Trust |
| Business | None |
| Company Directorships | None |
| Trusteeships | None |
| Memberships of Organisations, Public Bodies, etc. | None |
| Non-pecuinary interests | None |
| Family Interests | None |
Alastair’s two daughters attend and thrive at COLPAI.
Alastair has a degree in English from Durham University and an MBA from Cass Business School. He is also a governor at Westminster Academy- Secondary School and Sixth Form.
Professionally, Alastair is the Director of Risk, Compliance and Assurance for EE- a telecoms company with c30m customers. In his role he deals with multiple regulators, reports to the Board on compliance and leads a team of over a 100 to ensure the company can deliver fair outcomes.
Outside of work, Alastair spends what spare time he has training for or running marathons and promoting the positive link between exercise and mental health.
Register of Interests: Alastair Metcalf
| Position within Organisation | Governor |
| Employment | N/A |
| Business | N/A |
| Company Directorships | N/A |
| Trusteeships | N/A |
| Memberships of Organisations, Public Bodies, etc. | N/A |
| Non-pecuniary interests | Parent of COLPAI pupil |
| Family Interests | N/A |
George is delighted to be a school governor at COLPAI, a school he has a deep personal connection with. Both his children are thriving within the COLPAI family, and their happiness at school is a testament to the wonderful environment fostered here.
George holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and his professional background is in management consulting having spent over 15 years at Deloitte, specialising in Regulation and Technology. His experience encompasses a wide range of areas crucial to effective school governance, including budgeting, operational management, compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, procurement processes, and long-term strategic planning.
Beyond his professional life, he is a passionate sportsperson and a strong advocate for children’s health and well-being. George believes in the importance of fostering active and healthy lifestyles both within the school and the wider community.
Register of Interests: George Pechlivanidis
| Position within Organisation | Director |
| Employment | Full time |
| Business | Management Consulting |
| Company Directorships | None |
| Trusteeships | None |
| Memberships of Organisations, Public Bodies, etc. | None |
| Non-pecuniary interests | None |
| Family Interests | Spouse, Sofia Triantafyllou, Deloitte LLP. My wife Sofia is also a director (by title not Directorship) at Deloitte |
Alexandra holds a First Class BA (Hons) in Media Communications from London College of Communication, UAL. After having been in the PR and Marketing industry for two years, she wanted to begin her career in education. She joined COLPAI as a volunteer in December 2020, and has not looked back since!
As a member of staff and of the Governing Board, Alexandra’s focus is to ensure the health and happiness of all pupils, enabling them to learn and flourish within the school and the community.
Register of Interests: Alexandra Tsoi
| Position within Organisation | Class Teacher |
| Employment | City of London Primary Academy Islington |
| Business | None |
| Company Directorships | None |
| Trusteeships | None |
| Memberships of Organisations, Public Bodies, etc. | None |
| Non-pecuniary interests | None |
| Family Interests | None |
Paul joined the COLPAI Governing Body in September 2019. Paul is Group HR Director at Rothschild and Co.
Paul’s career in Financial Services started in 1989 following his studies in BA (Hons) Modern Languages at Oxford University. He is highly skilled in all aspects of recruitment, leadership development, employee relations and compensation planning.
Paul has been employed in France, the US and the UK in a number of consulting and financial services firms including Andersen Consulting, JP Morgan, Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette, Salomon Smith Barney and Schroders. Paul speaks fluent French and is the father of three school-age boys.
Register of Interests: Paul Barry
| Position within Organisation | Co- opted Governor |
| Employment | Rothschild and Co. |
| Business | Investment Banking |
| Company Directorships | None |
| Trusteeships | None |
| Memberships of Organisations, Public Bodies, etc. | None |
| Non-pecuniary interests | None |
| Family Interests | None |
Flora holds a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science from Oxford Brookes University and now works as an Environmental Underwriter at AXA XL based in the City of London. Flora grew up in Islington, and still lives close to the school and enjoys being a part of the community. She has worked as a classroom assistant and a nanny and has always enjoyed working with children. Flora has interests in sustainability and biodiversity outside of work.
Register of Interests: Flora McCormack
| Position within Organisation | Governor |
| Employment | N/A |
| Business | N/A |
| Company Directorships | N/A |
| Trusteeships | N/A |
| Memberships of Organisations, Public Bodies, etc. | N/A |
| Non-pecuniary interests | N/A |
| Family Interests | N/A |
Sonja Shah-Williams worked in publishing after she graduated and subsequently in high profile recruitment. Having raised her children, she now runs a successful health and Ayurvedic practice alongside her contributions to numerous articles and publications. Children’s well being is front and centre of Sonja’s philosophy and she will support COLPAI by acting as Deputy Safeguarding Governor and Link Governor for Well-being and Mental Health. Sonja volunteers in school every week supporting children in KS1 and KS2.
Register of Interests: Sonja Shah-Williams
| Position within Organisation | Governor |
| Employment | N/A |
| Business | N/A |
| Company Directorships | N/A |
| Trusteeships | N/A |
| Memberships of Organisations, Public Bodies, etc. | N/A |
| Non-pecuniary interests | N/A |
| Family Interests | N/A |
Tim has been on the board of Moto Hospitality for 15 years in a number of senior leadership roles including Chief Operating Officer, Strategy Director & Chief Customer Officer. He was also a trustee of Moto in the Community Charity Trust (MITC) committed to making a difference in the communities around Moto’s Service Areas.
Moto Hospitality Ltd is the UK’s largest motorway service operator with 53 UK locations, 5,500 staff & over 500 trading units with operating franchise partnerships with Costa Coffee, WHSmith, Burger King, Marks & Spencer, KFC, Greggs and BP.
Tim started his career with Marks and Spencer where he held a number of store operational positions before joining the M&S central food division working in buying and category management roles. He has business start-up experience including becoming one of the first employees, as Head of Food Purchasing, for Ocado.
Register of Interests: Tim Gittins
| Position within Organisation | Co-opted Governor |
| Employment | None |
| Business | None |
| Company Directorships | None |
| Trusteeships | None |
| Memberships of Organisations, Public Bodies, etc. | None |
| Non-pecuniary interests | None |
| Family Interests | Wife, Coach Nudge LTD, Director |
Mercy is a local Councillor for Cripplegate ward in the City of London. She will be supporting COLPAI in Parent and Community Partnership, helping to build a positive relationship between the school community and neighbouring residents, including those on the Golden Lane Estate. She studied English Literature and Economic History at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, and has worked in local Government, Parliament and as an SEN Teaching Assistant.
Register of Interests: Mercy Haggerty
| Position within Organisation | Local Board Member |
| Employment | N/A |
| Business | N/A |
| Company Directorships | N/A |
| Trusteeships | N/A |
| Memberships of Organisations, Public Bodies, etc. | N/A |
| Non-pecuniary interests | N/A |
| Family Interests | N/A |