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.

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.

Benjamin Charles

Ben has been the Principal of King’s School Rochester since April 2019.

Ben is a musician who trained at the Universities of Exeter and Durham before moving into a teaching career which began at another King’s School, this time the cathedral school in Peterborough. At the same time, he sang in the Cathedral Choir as a Lay Clerk. Ben then moved onto serve as the Director of Music in two HMC schools: Chigwell School in Essex and Millfield in Somerset.

Before moving to Kent, Ben was the Senior Deputy Head at The Portsmouth Grammar School where he oversaw pastoral care, safeguarding, school operations and staff welfare. He has a keen interest in sport and has represented County Durham at rugby as a schoolboy, and in music and drama. Ben is married to Helen, also a teacher, and they have four young children.

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.

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.

Cameron Kiggell

Cameron served as a British Army officer in a variety of roles before leaving the regiment in 1995. He then went into sales and marketing with a water purification company where he became a Director. After 8 years, he joined Sevenoaks School to teach Economics and Business and Management. Cameron has been a Tutor and Housemaster whilst being heavily involved in the co-curricular aspects of school life. He was promoted to Divisional Head in the Middle School responsible for pastoral matters of children from Years 9 to 11.