Our Board of Directors share their rich and broad experiences from a range of professional backgrounds to support the Senior Leadership Team in realising its strategic vision for the school.

 

Chair of Board of Directors – Dr Alex Rawlings

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Attendance

Alex is a local GP in Ecclesall. He is passionate about the life chances and education of children. As Chair of the Board of Directors, Alex is actively involved in shaping the strategic direction of Mylnhurst.

Alex is very supportive of the broad and balanced provision that schools such as Mylnhurst provide. As a proud father of two children who attend the school, Alex takes a keen interest in Mylnhurst’s unique approach to education, having chosen it for the two most precious people in his life.

 

Anita Barker

Finance

Anita sits on the Board of Directors responsible for finance matters, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. 

Having originally studied modern languages at university, Anita has over 20 years of consulting experience in accounting and finance, fraud and forensics, and risk management. She has worked in the UK, Europe and the Middle East and brings a wealth of practical experience, skills and knowledge to the school. 

Anita is a keen traveller and spent a year travelling the world with her husband and two children, providing a wonderful opportunity for them to learn and study in a different environment. 

 

Francesca Burley

Recruitment and Communications

Having worked in management consultancy, tech consulting, and across corporate functions and operations for a global professional services company, Francesca is currently a senior manager leading global strategic projects for the firm’s operations team. 

She is a passionate volunteer with the Friends of Mylnhurst parent association as well as being a member of the Board, and has a long-term commitment to Mylnhurst with a son in Prep 1 and a daughter soon to start in the Nursery. 

 

Orlaith Firth

Safeguarding

Orlaith is a qualified teacher with a passion for the wellbeing of children. Working in the Early Years provides her with a deep understanding of just how important a good primary education is.

Having attended Mylnhurst as a child, she has a deep affinity with the school. Her understanding of safeguarding children in schools is a great asset to Mylnhurst.

 

Loretta Giaimo-Cossar

Legal and SEND

Loretta is a barrister specialising in children’s law, acting in private law disputes, financial remedy and care proceedings. In addition to her legal background, she has established and operated a family restaurant and wine bar business in Sheffield for the last 10 years.

As a parent of children who will attend Mylnhurst until 2032, she is passionate about the school’s continued success, and committed to the mental health and wellbeing of children.

 

Philippa Hopkins

Admissions and Marketing

Philippa works as director of marketing and admissions at a co-educational independent school for children aged three to 13 in the south of England, where she is responsible for all elements of internal and external communications and pupil recruitment.

From personal experience as an alumna of an independent school herself, and from her professional roles, she has a full understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced by independent schools. Outside of her work, she has been a governor at a local primary school for 10 years.

 

Daniel Smith

Premises, Health & Safety

Daniel has over 25 years’ consultancy experience running a private practice of surveyors and project managers in the construction industry, and supports the school with his commercial experience in construction, contract, maintenance, infrastructure and development.

He and his partner, Sarah, have four school-age children who attend two schools in Staffordshire: the younger children a preparatory school and nursery, the oldest child an independent Catholic co-educational school. He understands the school dynamic both from the perspective of a parent and also as a business leader.

Daniel is a Director of PS2 and a Chartered Quantity Surveyor (MRICS) with over 25 years’ experience. He was instrumental in the formation of Prosurv in 2004 and served on the UK management board of Cumming Management Group following Prosurv’s acquisition. He holds a BSc Hons degree in Quantity Surveying from Staffordshire University, and is an RICS Inspire Ambassador, regularly engaging with schools and colleges to promote the surveyor role and the RICS organisation.

Additionally, Daniel serves as a Local Enterprise Partnership Volunteer, working alongside a local secondary school to develop strategies and connections that support students in pursuing careers within the industry. As an industry external examiner for Liverpool John Moores University, Daniel supports their BSc Quantity Surveying programmes, including full-time, part-time, and degree apprenticeship courses. 

 

To contact our Directors, please email [email protected] or call 0114 2361411.