Governors

After attending Crypt as a pupil between 1989 and 1996, Lee studied Business Management and Sports Science at Manchester Metropolitan University. Lee has over 20 years’ experience of working in national sales and consultancy roles across companies such as HSBC, Pearson and Randstad. More recently he has worked as a Group Sales Director within the FE space, supporting public and private sector organisations with their L&D, Apprenticeship, and wider training strategies. Lee works closely with the school on the Sports Foundation and Wellbeing strategies and has a son now studying at Crypt. He volunteers coaching football at Hardwicke AFC.

After qualifying from Leeds University, Sheila completed her PGCE for secondary education at Bristol University. She then worked for the army in Germany for two years. Returning to Cheltenham, she began her teaching career. She worked at St Edwards School for 18 years in both the middle and junior school. Following that, she served as Head at Hopelands Preparatory School for 18 years before retiring in 2022.

Sonia is Head of Saving Babies' Lives at the Sands, the pregnancy and baby loss charity. Sonia has an active interest in policy-making, she was the lead researcher at the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review and acted as an expert advisor to the Patient Safety Commissioner on her Redress Project.   

Sonia is a kinship-carer to two recent students of the Sixth Form and so brings Board representation for non-typical families.

Dare is a Transfer Pricing Economist and Senior Manager at KPMG UK, where he advises multinational businesses on complex transfer pricing, value chain, and international tax matters. He previously held senior economist role at HM Revenue & Customs, working across a wide range of industries and cross-border transactions. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Strathclyde and degrees in statistics from University College London and Obafemi Awolowo University. 

Outside work, he enjoys cycling, racket sports, technology, loves music and is a bass player at One Church Gloucester.

Suzanne is an academic in the Faculty of Music at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford, having served in both roles since 2005. Alongside a commitment to academic excellence, and to the wellbeing of students and staff, she is enthusiastic about the life-enhancing role of the arts for all.

Ruth’s career in Higher Education (HE) spans over 30 years in both policy and practice. During this time she has forged strong networks and relationships across the sector whilst working within different types of provider and in wider sector organisations. Throughout her career she has developed administrative processes, national advice and guidance and coordinated projects; she has set up student representation systems and offered academic and pastoral support to students. This wide-ranging experience across higher education affords Ruth a unique overview and perspective of the HE sector in the UK and beyond. She has a strong professional interest in the promotion of an enhancement-led quality culture and student representation and voice.

A former pupil of The Crypt, Ahmed has over 20 years’ experience in senior leadership and Board/ Non-Executive Director positions across the public and private sectors in strategy development, business planning, operations and service delivery with major national organisations such as KPMG, AECOM and the Confederation of British Industry. He has an extensive network of relationships with business and education stakeholders across Gloucestershire and the wider South West of England, as well as experience of working within community organisations in the city of Gloucester, including regeneration projects in Barton and Tredworth and serving as secretary of a local community cricket club that provides sporting opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Lynsey is a social entrepreneur and experienced charity leader, passionate about equity in education and early years development.  She has headed up communications at Save the Children, Samaritans, and Great Ormond Street Hospital, shaping national conversations and campaigns.

As founder of an inclusive children’s book company, she has championed representation and secured funding for hundreds of school libraries.  Her expertise spans strategic communications, behaviour change, and stakeholder engagement.

Lynsey is proud to support Crypt School’s continued excellence as an inclusive, ambitious, and values-driven community.

Amit has been in the Information Technology industry for over 25 years, during which he has worked with organisations such as HP, IBM, Aviva, NHS, Home Office and Department for Work & Pensions. He holds an MBA degree from Durham University Business School, and currently works as a Business Analyst at UK Health Security Agency. His son is a student at The Crypt School.

Amit is a club level badminton player and an archer, and has a keen interest in economics, business and personal finance.

Joanne joined The Crypt in 2010 as Finance Manager and became Company Secretary when the school converted to an Academy in 2011. Joanne graduated from Cambridge University with a BA hons in history before spending 5 years in the banking sector and completing her CIMA accountancy exams..  Since then she has held a variety of financial positions both in large blue chip companies and smaller family run businesses.  In January 2015 she was promoted to School Bursar and is now Finance Director.  Outside of school Joanne is married with 3 sons.

Nicola has worked in policy and management at the House of Commons, the Natural History Museum and the Welsh Government. She has also served as trustee of several charities, including the McDougall Trust and her local community centre. She has a BA in Biology and a Masters in Public Administration.

Gordon was educated in Nottinghamshire and attended Nottingham Trent University to study Computer Science, and then on to Nottingham University.  He worked initially with a private computer network company before becoming self-employed running a company that distributed Wireless broadband in a village.  Since moving to Gloucester, Gordon has worked at the Crypt School and is currently the Network Manager.  Gordon was also a City Councillor for Gloucester City Council from 2008 - 2024.

Head of the Maths Department.