Governors

Adrian holds a degree in Chemistry and has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for over 20 years holding various roles in research & development, sales and commercial. He currently works for a pharmaceutical company in Cambridge performing a role across Northern Europe as Director of Non-Promoted Brands. He has lived in the local area all his life and as such is excited to have the opportunity to help drive further improvements at the school and make the Academy an even better place to learn and develop.

Rob Dell’s passion for education and making a positive impact on children’s lives is evident through his actions. He holds a BEd in Education and has been a primary school educator since 1994. After teaching in an Inner-London school for a decade, he spent five years in the first academy that opened in Bexley. There, he moved up the ranks from head of teaching and learning to deputy head and eventually head teacher. For 13 years, he led an independent school in East London until 2022 when he started leading a mainstream infant school in Letchworth Garden City. Rob is now eager to contribute to his local community by serving as a governor for JFAN.

Lt Col Garcia MBE enlisted as a Junior Leader in the British Army at 16 years of age on 4th January 1984. During the first two decades of his military service he served with Commando and Airborne Forces and conducted Bomb Disposal duties globally.

After gaining a Late Entry Commission Lt Col Garcia MBE undertook appointments as a Logistics manager, Officer Comanding of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit and Training Officer at the Defence Diving School along side the Royal Navy. He has been in a continuous active diving role in excess of 30 years. During his career spanning over almost four decades he has served all around the globe most notably Northern Iraq, Bosnia (three tours), Kosovo, Afghanistan (three tours), Iraq (two tours).

In June 2019 he assumed the role of 29 EOD and Search Group Support Unit Commander a Carver Barracks Wimbish. He recently retired and has settled in Saffron Walden.

Lt Col Garcia MBE is married to Melanie and has three children, Grace, Lola and Luis. He enjoys Mountaineering, Skiing and Diving. During his gladiator days he played rugby and boxed.

Tessa is the Student Support Officer for Year 7 and 8. Providing pastoral care and guiding the younger cohort through their transition from primary to secondary school. Before her time at JFAN she spent over 20 years working at sea, as a Cruise Director. She visited every corner of the globe, and after 12 years based in France, she brought her children back to the local area where they were educated at the Academy. 

Duncan grew up in Buckinghamshire before moving to London to read English at Queen Mary, University of London. It was through the experience of teaching primary school pupils King Lear in order to complete a module in this course that inspired him to explore a career in working with young people.

After graduating in 2006, Duncan spent a year working for a charity in East London who work with students that have been excluded from all forms of mainstream and alternative education. Reigniting their passion and interest in education further supported his motivation to enrol upon a PGCE English secondary course at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Once his PGCE was successfully completed, Duncan began teaching at Sir John Cass’s Red Coat and Foundation C of E school in Tower Hamlets, London. Duncan spent five years here, progressing from Newly Qualified Teacher to Advanced Skills Teacher of English, before relocating to Uttlesford, Essex with his young family. Duncan became Head of English at Joyce Frankland Academy, Newport and has been at the school for six years taking on the roles of Vice Principal and then Principal. Colleagues at Joyce Frankland Academy are extremely proud of the traditional, caring and unique atmosphere with a rich, cultural history for excellence in education, dating back to the sixteenth century. Duncan is excited about the future of the school, helping to create an environment where students continue to explore through learning, fulfil their potential and flourish in their futures.

Gareth is an academic at the University of Cambridge and Gonville & Caius College, where he leads a group researching physics and delivering physics to undergraduates. He has a deep understanding of the higher education environment through his role in teaching and admissions at the university, and also through his many years of involvement in the university outreach program.

As a co-founder of a company which has commercialised the software related to his research, Gareth also has experience and insights into the skills employers seek from their staff. This makes Gareth well-positioned to help guide the education of the students at the Joyce Frankland Academy.

Gareth has been a Trustee of Gonville & Caius College for seven years, giving him experience in the effective running of an educational institution

Claire has been a part of the school community for 6 years with her eldest daughter flourishing in her GCSE’s in 2022 and her youngest currently in year 10.

As a year 6 teacher, she is passionate about ensuring that all children leave KS2 as well rounded happy students who are ready to tackle the next part of their educational journey. She feels that as a parent governor at JFAN, she can join them on that adventure and be part of the team helping them to learn and grow into well rounded and happy young adults.

She welcomes the opportunity to work with senior leaders in developing and delivering the School Development Plan and supporting them to continue to provide the very best educational opportunities for all students.

Having recently moved to Newport Richard is keen to contribute to the local community, and with two children attending Joyce Frankland Academy, he can think of no better place to start. After completing a degree in Biological Sciences and a PhD in Plant Biochemistry, he has had a career in research and translational science. In his day job he works as a scientist to improve crops, develop sustainable food systems and prepare agriculture for the future challenges of climate change.

In this role he works in teams, nationally and internationally, and has been fortunate to see the importance of STEM subjects and the impact they have on society. He actively participates and engages students in education through science festivals, scholarship programmes, and teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate students at Cardiff and Nottingham Universities. Much of his time is dedicated to discovery research and impact, developing new ideas and securing the funding to deliver them. He is actively engaged in science communication and increasing inclusivity in research.

Working at a leading UK Research Institute, his current roles include: Head of Plant Metabolic Engineering, Co-leader of the Lipidomic Analytical Facility, Deputy Leader of the Green Engineering Institute Strategic Programme, Chair of the Biological Safety Committee and Member of the Research Risk and Compliance Working Group. As a Parent Governor he wants to bring his passion for understanding the world around us to children in their school life. He is familiar with the challenges of busy parents and the complex needs of children. His priority is making sure each child is in a setting that allows them to thrive and reach their potential.

Nigel has a background in commercial real estate and currently owns and runs a venture creative agency based in East London. He was appointed as a parent governor in 2018 and was heavily involved in the conclusion of the land sale that facilitated the development of the new sports facilities and other infrastructure improvements at the school. He has lived in the local area for over 20 years.

Lorna is a Director and Chief Financial Officer for Shard Capital. She has over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry and previously held directorship positions at several companies including Finance Director at Jump Trading and Deutsche Bank.

Lorna started her career in audit, working for Deloitte and then Ernst & Young, before joining ICAP Plc, where she spent 14 years and held several senior positions spanning both Finance and Risk. Lorna became a governor of JFAN in 2016.