David Tucker BA (Hons) Dip Arch (Cantab) ARB RIBA, Chair of Trustees

David is an Architect and Director of an award-winning RIBA Chartered Architectural Practice based in East London. He is responsible for designing and delivering a range of education projects for Multi Academy Trusts, Local Authorities, Independent Schools and Universities. He was appointed as a trustee on 1 November 2022.

Between 2013 and 2022, David was in charge of the London Borough of Newham’s £150m school expansion programme across 31 primary and secondary schools and is currently delivering enhanced and expanded SEND and PRU accommodation for six schools within the borough. He has also been responsible for a number of other completed school projects for Oasis Community Learning, Learning in Harmony Trust, Newham Community Learning, Community Schools Trust and for the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham and Waltham Forest.

Aside from project responsibilities, David manages the company’s finance, insurances, appointments and professional memberships.

David is also a Professional Studies Advisor for postgraduate architecture students at the University of Cambridge and an assessor for the Civic Trust Architectural Awards.

Stuart McDougall

Stuart recently retired having worked for 35 years in industry and professional services, principally, in international tax and finance roles. Most latterly he had been a Partner in EY and formerly in KPMG, with much of his career spent working internationally both physically and virtually.  He has significant expertise in law, operational transformations, risk management, process improvement and finance.

Stuart is also a Trustee at a 7 school MAT in Yorkshire, serving on both the Finance committee and also as Chair of Governors at the Trusts High school.

His youngest son has an ASD diagnosis.

Anita Etheridge

Anita worked for over 30 years in industry and professional services as a senior tax executive, working for companies such as KPMG, Intermediate Capital Group and latterly Grant Thornton.  Prior to this she worked for various international banks in finance roles.

She has significant expertise in corporate tax for large and medium size enterprises, building client relationships and has extensive experience in coaching and mentoring junior staff.

Philip Harrison

Phil has worked for a Multi-Academy Trust since 2016, having joined the organisation from Ofsted where he was one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors. He also had a lead responsibility for special educational needs and disability and safeguarding.

Prior to working for Ofsted, Phil gained extensive senior management experience as a Headteacher and Executive Headteacher of day schools, residential schools and colleges. He has also worked as a Local Authority School Improvement Partner and as a leadership trainer for the National College.

He was a National Leader of Education and led and managed a National Support School and Teaching School. Phil also has a postgraduate qualification in special and inclusive education, and has worked internationally to support school improvement.

He has significant experience in governance having been a School Governor in primary, secondary and specials schools, including roles as Chairperson and Safeguarding Lead. Phil regularly supports local authorities and Integrated Care Boards to improve their offer for children and young people with special educational needs and has held the position of Independent Chairperson for a rapidly improved local area in England.  

Phil is a trustee of the national charity Equals, a member of a medium-sized Multi-Academy Trust, a Primary School Governor and a member of a Pupil Referral Unit Management Committee.

He also has experience as a Company Secretary and Chief Operating Officer.

Sarah Milne, Attendance link

Sarah splits her time between being Director of Safeguarding and SEND for a Mutli Academy Trust and being Head of School in a mainstream Secondary School.  She has experience of teaching and School Leadership across Primary and Secondary settings and has worked as a DSL and SENCo in both phases of education in mainstream settings. 

Sarah chairs a district primary SEND and Inclusion partnership on behalf of a local authority - a role that she has proudly held since 2017.  Sarah is committed to volunteering her time to "pay back" to society the time that others have given and continue to give to her own schools.  She serves as a local governor in an inner city primary school and is proud to be a trustee at Liberty. 

Sarah is a calm and professional leader, who operates thoughtfully and with a genuine passion to advocate for children and young people. 

Sharan Matharu

Sharan has worked in the education industry for 24 years and is passionate about inclusive education.

Sharan is currently a Headteacher at a large comprehensive school in Northamptonshire. She has extensive School Leadership experience and has worked in Senior Leadership positions in both the independent and state sectors at Secondary level.

Sharan has significant expertise in education; education leadership; strategic planning; MAT development and Governance.