Team

David has spent most of his career in the local voluntary and community sector, and is the Director of Sutton Mencap. David is passionate about supporting people with a learning disability to be fully involved in the life of the local community, and the vital role education can play in this. David also has a particular interest in supporting organisations to work together for the benefit of the people they support. Having been a governor for Orchard Hill College for a number of years, David is delighted to Chair the College Committee.

Michele has over 40 years’ experience of teaching, managing and developing provision for adults with learning difficulties in Adult and Community Education. She has worked in a variety of environments including schools, colleges, hospitals, youth centres, day centres and residential care homes in various London boroughs. For several years she also worked as a regional advisor and external moderator for ASDAN providing training and support to schools and colleges to implement specialist LD programmes throughout the south east of England. Michele has been a Governor at Orchard Hill College since 2003 and has also been a Trustee at Sutton Mencap since 2008.

Ric is a parent governor whose daughter, Abigail, attends Orchard Hill College. Three of Ric’s five children have additional needs. Ric works as a Ministry Assistant at Sutton Christian Centre and before joining the OHC Committee was Chair of Governors at Bandon Hill Primary School. Among other things, Ric enjoys running, photography and getting involved in community events in Wallington.

Akansha advises businesses on strategy and operations so they can achieve their objectives. As well as this she also assists in managing budgets of up to $100 million. A Cambridge graduate with an MBA from both The London Business School and Columbia Business School, she was previously a practicing veterinary surgeon. This personal understanding of numerous career paths as well as experience as an A Level Biology Tutor on an Access Project for the past year, and a Student Mentor advising at STEM careers fairs means she is passionate about education and supporting young people to make the best possible career choices.