Governors

Rashid Chinchanwala

Rashid is an Old Michaelian, attending St Michael’s Prep as a boarder from 1972 to 1977 and holding the position of Deputy Head Boy during his time here. He has been a St Michael’s Governor since November 2007.

A chartered accountant, he has worked in finance within the UK media industry for 27 years and has a good working knowledge of film & TV production, media buying and market research. In 2008, he helped found his current business Media Powerhouse Ltd, an audio visual services company which he is the Finance Director of.

Rashid’s interests include mainstream sports, travel and photography.

Mark Weatheritt

Mark is Deputy Head Academic and a teacher of Physics at Tonbridge School.

Mark Weatheritt read Physics at the University of York and went onto study at the University of Cambridge and King’s College, London. Mark joined Tonbridge School from Dulwich College in 2013 as Head of Physics and went onto hold the position of Director of Teaching Learning before becoming Deputy Head Academic.

Julia Tyson

Julia has over 30 years’ experience as a senior HR professional across a diverse range of sectors, having built her early career in Boots, TDG and Marconi before entering Financial Services with both Barclays and RBS during a period of significant corporate restructuring activity. She has held strategic and transformational roles as Group HR Director at Wates in the construction sector and at LV= where she played a major role in promoting both the Talent, Diversity and CSR agenda, winning several prestigious awards including BITC Company of the Year. She is the MD of Beyond People, a change consultancy, a NED of a housing association and a digital learning trust and is a Henley qualified Executive Coach with a focus on leadership team effectiveness.

Kellie Crozer

Kellie began her career in the education sector after completing a B.Ed Primary (Hons) degree. She has worked in both the state and independent sector for over 25 years in various roles including Class Teacher, Phase Leader and Deputy Head. Currently, she is Head of the Nursery and Pre-Preparatory School at King's School Rochester including Head of Early Years and Whole School Safeguard Lead.  Kellie has also worked as an Early Years Advisor for Kent County Council where she played a crucial role in shaping early years education policies and practice. She is passionate that all children receive the highest quality education. 

She is married and the proud mother of two children – both now of senior school age. Kellie was born and raised in Kent, although lived in North and West London for a while. She moved back to Kent 16 years ago to raise her family and be nearer to her own family. She enjoys walking, theatre, live music and watching (not playing) sport! 

She is very keen to get to know the St Michael’s Team and work closely with them. 

Susan Ward

Susan was a parent at St Michael’s Prep for three years. Her daughter joined in Year 6 and left at the end of Year 8 with outstanding memories of St Michael’s. Because of this, Susan was keen to stay involved in the school and participate in its future growth.

Susan has over 25 years’ experience in financial services, having worked for both JPMorgan and UBS. Since leaving UBS, Susan has been building an advisory business in impact investing and pursuing various start-up opportunities.

Susan lives in Sevenoaks with her husband and two daughters. Together they enjoy cycling, walking and other outdoor activities in Kent.

Adam Scarff

Adam is an Old Michaelian who joined St Michael’s Prep in 1988 and has remained a regular visitor since. Adam grew up in Otford and moved to Cambridge where he studied after leaving St Michael’s.

Adam now works in the property and construction industry where he runs a bespoke windows and doors company, Valdi ltd. This career choice follows in the footsteps of his grandfather who worked as a cabinet maker when he came to the UK from Poland during the Second World War.

Adam is a proud father of two girls which helps put him in touch with the current needs of the school. In his spare time he enjoys car building and restoration, rugby, hiking and outdoor activities.

He has always been a staunch advocate for the Old Michaelians Association and is looking to revamp and improve the current alumni.

Adam has been a St Michael’s Governor since 2019.

Nick Skelly

Nick is an ex-parent, his children attended St Michael’s Prep School from Nursery through to Prep. He is a keen golfer and enjoys spending his free time on the course. Nick has worked in the construction industry for 27 years as a chartered quantity surveyor. He is highly skilled in his profession and has a wealth of experience in managing construction projects. Nick is a dedicated professional who takes pride in his work and is committed to delivering high-quality results.

Callum Needham

Callum is an Old Michaelian who joined in Nursery and left the school in Year 8 during 2012, holding the position of Head Boy during his time here.

Following his time at St Michael’s, Callum attended Tonbridge School as a boarder. He particularly enjoyed getting involved with the sports and volunteering opportunities that the school provided. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Bath, followed by a Masters at Imperial College London. 

He now works in Project Finance at SMBC Group, covering digital infrastructure assets such as data centre, fibre and telecoms. 

Callum is a big sports fan and enjoys spending time with his family, playing with dogs, travelling and capturing landscape photography. He currently lives in London with his brother, Liam, who was in the year below him at St Michael’s.

Emma Sharman

Emma was a parent at St Michael’s Prep for 13 years with both her daughter and son starting in Nursery and leaving at the end of Year 8. During her time at St Michael’s, Emma was part of our P&F Committee as well as volunteering as a Class Representative. Emma is a solicitor by profession, having worked at Allen & Overy in London and Stephenson Harwood in Hong Kong where she and her husband lived for 5 years. Emma is now a full-time mum but has more recently trained as a mediator with Maidstone Mediation. She is a keen rugby and cricket supporter (she is a life member of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club) and enjoys spending time with her family, walking with her Cocker Spaniel, reading, playing tennis and travelling. Emma has been a St Michael’s Governor since 2016.

Jonathan Lidiard

Jon is currently Deputy Head Pastoral and Designated Safeguarding Lead at Sevenoaks School, roles he combines with Classics teaching and rugby coaching. His previous roles have included Housemaster, Head of Department and coach of various different sports. Jon is a keen runner and more broadly a lover of nature and the outdoors, where he tries to spend as much time as possible alongside his wife and three young children.

Jon is looking forward to contributing to the ongoing success and development of St Michael’s as a Governor, and also to immersing himself in the school community, not least as a supporter on the edge of the sports field.